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PHIS Dry-Run Training Results in Positive Feedback
Approximately 50 FSIS employees in various positions throughout the United States spent the last two weeks in
Philadelphia, Pa., participating in the third dry-run training for the Public Health Information System (PHIS).
Over the course of the training, participants had the opportunity to perform several hands-on activities and engage
in real-world scenarios in order to get a practical understanding of how to use the system. Trainers pointed out a
variety of refinements and changes made to the system based on feedback from participants in the last dry-run training.
The changes were well-received and appreciated.
FSIS Administrator Al Almanza visited with the participants on the last day of training and announced that
implementation of PHIS would be delayed 30 days. "Based on the valuable feedback we have received and the
information from the last training conducted, I have determined that there are some refinements that still need to
be made in order to provide the best tool to protect public health," he said. In addition, he stated, "We
will also implement the export piece all at once after all circuits are on line."
Almanza is confident the delay will allow a smooth transition to the new system. For more information on PHIS, go to
www.fsis.usda.gov/PHIS/index.asp.
FSIS Provides an Update on Beef Trim Prevalence
FSIS has updated the report, Nationwide Microbiological Baseline Data Collection Program for Raw Ground Beef
Components: Domestic Beef Trimmings.
The report, originally posted in May 2008, was revised to include a calculation for the National Prevalence
Estimate for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella.
FSIS released the new document, titled National Prevalence Estimate of Pathogens in Domestic Beef Manufacturing
Trimmings (Trim) which includes the methods used to calculate the pathogen estimates and provides additional
information on the statistical procedures used in the study.
For more information, go to www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/
Baseline_Data_Domestic_Beef_Trimmings_Rev.pdf.
New Salmonella Standards: A Weekly Industry Progress Update
FSIS recently announced that it is tracking industry performance to see if 90 percent of poultry slaughter
establishments would have met updated and tightened Salmonella standards for 2010 if they had been in effect.
(See the Dec. 17, 2010, issue of the Constituent Update at www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
Const_Update_121710/index.asp.)
The President's Food Safety Working Group set the goal of having
90 percent of poultry establishments to meet tightened Salmonella standards as a tool to reduce human
illness caused by Salmonella.
The final count for 2010 will include sample sets that started no later than Dec. 31, 2010, and complete no later
than March 31, 2011. The table below shows progress as of this week and projects a final "best-case" possible total.
| Plant Category |
Percentage Complete and Passed as of Jan 1, 2011 |
Percentage That Could Complete and Pass by Mar 31, 2011 |
| Young Chickens |
86.7 |
90.2 |
| Young Turkeys |
90.9 |
96.9 |
For young chickens, this represents a drop of "Completed and Passed Sets" from 87.3% to 86.7% compared to last week. This results in
a decrease in a "best case scenario" from 91.4% to 90.2% for this product class. There was no change for young turkeys.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following countries:
Complete information can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/
Regulations_&_Policies/Export_Information/index.asp.
Under Secretary Shares Insight on the Humane Handling of Livestock
As a public health agency, FSIS is responsible for ensuring that America's supply of meat and poultry products are
produced both safely and humanely.
As a result, Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Elizabeth Hagen discussed agency actions and developments to enforce
the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.
Changes in policy made Dec. 22 will now close a loophole that once allowed elderly or sick animals to be processed as
food, after resting or receiving veterinary care. These animals will now be humanely euthanized. Through a variety of
solutions, ranging from extensive employee training to clearer guidance on existing rules, the agency is taking
concrete steps to address outstanding humane handling issues.
To review these new measures discussed by the Under Secretary, visit the USDA Blog at
http://blogs.usda.gov/2011/01/07/under-secretary-for-food-safety-shares-some-insight-on-the-humane-handling-of-livestock/.
Updates on FSIS Testing for E. coli
Weekly updates for the agency's raw beef E. coli sampling program are posted to the FSIS website.
For comparative previous and current year results, go to www.fsis.usda.gov/science/
Ecoli_Positive_Results/index.asp.
PHIS Previews: Just Posted! PHIS 101: The Basics
The agency is currently refining PHIS, taking into account the useful suggestions received through user-testing and
training dry-runs.
In anticipation of the launch, FSIS developed a video, PHIS 101:
The Basics. It provides a comprehensive overview of the system and the advantages it will deliver.
Watch it on FSIS' website at www.fsis.usda.gov/PHIS/index.asp. Also, be sure to
take a look at the PBIS and PHIS Side-by-Side Comparison factsheet.
Keep reading future issues of the Constituent Update for more information on PHIS.
USDA Announces Public Meeting to Seek Comments on Methods of Analysis and Sampling
The Office of Food Safety and the Food and Drug Administration are sponsoring a public meeting to receive public
comments and draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the 32nd Session of the Codex Committee on Methods of
Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) to be held in Budapest, Hungary.
The public meeting will be held on Feb. 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Harvey Wiley Bldg., Rm. 2B047, 5100
Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD. To participate via teleconference dial (866) 859-5767 and enter the passcode
2225276.
Documents and agenda items related to the 32nd Session of the CCMAS are accessible at
www.codexalimentarius.net/current.asp. Written comments
may also be submitted through this website.
For more information contact Marie Maratos at
Marie.Maratos@fsis.usda.gov
or (202) 690-4795.
Get Answers at askFSIS
AskFSIS is a web-based technology and policy question-and-answer forum on topics such as exporting, labeling, inspection,
programs and procedures.
In addition, askFSIS offers Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds that link back to the Q&As. Visit
askfsis.custhelp.com/ to find the answers to your questions.
Recently posted topics include:
USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
Food safety experts are available year-round from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET to answer questions in English and Spanish
about safely preparing and cooking foods.
The toll-free number is 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854). Recorded messages are available 24 hours a day.
Have a Question? Ask Karen in Spanish Too.
Pregúntele a Karen is a virtual food safety representative with information for consumers about preventing
foodborne illness, safe food handling and storage, and the safe preparation of meat, poultry and processed egg products.
As available in English, customers can also chat live in Spanish, and obtain food safety information. To access
Pregúntele a Karen, go to pregunteleakaren.gov/.
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Last Modified:
January 18, 2011 |
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