EdNet - July 2011
EdNet, the National Food Safety Educator’s Network, is a monthly, multi-agency electronic news journal from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). EdNet provides up-to-date information about food safety and nutrition programs and activities for educators, consumer advocates, government officials, and industry representatives.
If you have questions or comments about this issue of EdNet, send e-mail to the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FDA).
In this issue:
Advisories, Alerts, and Warnings
- Foodborne Outbreak Potentially Associated with Papaya Distributed by Agromod Produce, Inc.
- Foodborne Outbreak Associated with Raw Milk from Tucker Adkins Dairy of York, S.C.
Resources for Educators
- USDA Announces Proposed Rule to Better Label Raw Meat and Poultry Containing Added Solutions
- Snapshot of Food Safety Milestones in the History of the FDA
- Agriculture Deputy Secretary Highlights School Meal Improvements to National School Nutrition Advocates
- Over 2,000 Organizations Join Partnership to Support MyPlate Food Icon (USDA)
- USDA Expands “Salmonella” Initiative Program to Reduce and Eliminate Pathogens
- USDA Issues Instructions to Reduce Allergen and Other Ingredient-Related Recalls
- FDA Meeting “Food Safety Modernization Act” Food Safety Goals
- “Food Safe Families” – Check Your Steps
- Redesigned FDA Web Page Fosters Food-Safety Awareness
- Food Safety PSAs Available on YouTube
- Ongoing Outbreak of Human “Salmonella” Typhimurium Infections Associated with African Dwarf Frogs(CDC)
- September is National Food Safety Education Month (R)
- Home Food Safety Mythbusters is Back!
- ARS’ “Food and Nutrition Research Briefs” – July Issue
- New Podcast (FSIS)
Industry
- Safer Fruits and Vegetables: FDA Aims to Set Production Standards
- FDA Progress Report on Implementing the “Food Safety Modernization Act:” May – July 2011
- FDA: Food Related Emergency Exercise – Boxed Set (FREE-B)
- FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Questions and Answers Regarding the Final Rule, Prevention of ‘Salmonella’ Enteritidis in Shell Eggs During Production, Storage, and Transportation
- FDA Issues Anti-Smuggling Strategy and Guidance on New Dietary Ingredients: Critical Milestones Completed at New Law's Six-Month Mark
- FDA, Justice Department Take Action Against California Calf Hauler
- FDA: New York Dietary Supplement Manufacturer Enters into Consent Decree
- FSIS Policy Updates
Advisories, Alerts, and Warnings
Foodborne Outbreak Potentially Associated with Papaya Distributed by Agromod Produce, Inc.
The FDA is taking steps to protect the public following the identification of “Salmonella” Agona in Agromod Produce, Inc.’s supply of fresh papayas. The FDA is advising consumers not to eat papayas from Agromod Produce, Inc. The company is voluntarily recalling the product. The papayas were imported from Mexico, and may be linked to the reported cases of “Salmonella” Agona. FDA and CDC are investigating 97 reported cases of “Salmonella” Agona, including 10 hospitalizations, in 23 states related to the consumption of papayas. Consumers, retailers and others who have papayas from Agromod Produce, Inc. should discard them in a sealed container so people and animals, including wild animals, cannot eat them. Agromod Produce, Inc. is voluntarily recalling all papayas sold prior to July 23, 2011.
Detailed information can be found on FDA’s Web site at:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm265166.htm
Foodborne Outbreak Associated with Raw Milk from Tucker Adkins Dairy of York, S.C.
The FDA is working with officials in North Carolina and South Carolina to investigate an outbreak of campylobacteriosis in three people who consumed raw milk from Tucker Adkins Dairy in York, S.C. The three confirmed cases and another five probable cases are from three different households and each case reports that prior to becoming ill, they consumed raw milk that was obtained from Tucker Adkins Dairy on June 14, 2011. The FDA recommends that consumers only drink pasteurized milk. Raw milk is unpasteurized milk from hoofed mammals, such as cows, sheep, or goats. Raw milk may contain a wide variety of harmful bacteria – including “Salmonella,” “E. coli” O157:H7, “Listeria,” “Campylobacter” and “Brucella” -- that may cause illness and possibly death.
To read three confirmed and five probable cases of campylobacteriosis seen in North Carolina and more, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm263158.htm
Resources for Educators
USDA Announces Proposed Rule to Better Label Raw Meat and Poultry Containing Added Solutions
On July 21, 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a news release proposing a new Rule to establish common, easy-to-understand names for raw meat and poultry products that include injections, marinades, or have otherwise incorporated added solutions which may not be visible to the consumer.
Read this announcement:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_072111_01/index.asp
See the proposed Rule:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Proposed_Rules/index.asp
Snapshot of Food Safety Milestones in the History of the FDA
On July 19, 2011, the FDA posted, “Snapshot of Food Safety Milestones in the History of the FDA” on its Web site. Until a little over a century ago, there were no federal laws or regulations in place to protect the public from potentially dangerous substances in medicines or foods. In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln appointed a chief chemist to serve in the new Department of Agriculture. This appointment marked the beginning of the Bureau of Chemistry, the predecessor of the Food and Drug Administration.
To read about the Snapshot of Food Safety Milestones in the History of the FDA, visit:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FSMA/ucm238505.htm
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Highlights School Meal Improvements to National School Nutrition Advocates
On July 12, 2011, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan highlighted the importance of the “Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act” and announced the findings of USDA's first Farm to School report during the 2011 School Nutrition Association national convention. Merrigan delivered remarks to thousands of school nutrition professionals at the three-day event which provided an opportunity to discuss the Obama administration's efforts to improve the health and nutrition of meals served through the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs.
Read this news release:
http://www.usda.gov/2011/07/0303.xml
Over 2,000 Organizations Join Partnership to Support MyPlate Food Icon
On July 11, 2011, the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) announced that the recently launched Nutrition Communicators Network has reached an important milestone of over 2,000 organizations. The network is comprised of organizations actively committed to promoting healthy eating in accordance with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as symbolized by MyPlate. Community partners range from public and private businesses to non-profit organizations that represent a diverse cross-section of stakeholders and partners. The launch of this partnership program coincided with the June 2, 2011, unveiling of the new MyPlate food icon.
Read this announcement:
http://www.usda.gov/2011/07/0298.xml
USDA Expands “Salmonella” Initiative Program to Reduce and Eliminate Pathogens
On July 8, 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that it will expand and move ahead on the “Salmonella” Initiative Program (SIP) to help reduce “Salmonella” in raw meat and poultry products. FSIS’ goal is to reduce and eliminate pathogens before products reach consumers, and the SIP will support those in the industry who want to utilize pathogen-preventing technologies and techniques.
Read this news release:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_070811_01/index.asp
See also the related FSIS Notice:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/2008-0008.pdf
USDA Issues Instructions to Reduce Allergen and Other Ingredient-Related Recalls
On July 7, 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced it has issued instructions to its inspection program personnel in an effort to protect vulnerable consumers after an increased number of products have been recalled in the first half of 2011 due to the presence of undeclared allergens or other ingredients.
Read this news release:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_070711_01/index.asp
Read the related FSIS Notice:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/35-11.pdf
FDA Meeting “Food Safety Modernization Act” Food Safety Goals
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken significant steps to protect the nation's food supply in the six months since President Obama signed the landmark FDA “Food Safety Modernization Act” (“FSMA”) into law. The food safety act gave FDA a mandate to implement a system that is based on science and addresses food safety hazards from farm to table. The agency has already strengthened a number of protections, including making it easier for consumers to learn about recalled foods and providing safety guidelines for commercial fisherman and fish processors.
Learn more about FDA's food safety measures at:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm261672.htm
Sign up for e-mail notices of new FDA Consumer Updates at
https://service.govdelivery.com/service/subscribe.html?code=USFDA_9
View the FDA Consumer Update RSS feed at
http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/ContactFDA/StayInformed/RSSFeeds/Consumers/rss.xml
“Food Safe Families” – Check Your Steps
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Ad Council have launched a new public service advertising campaign that encourages parents and caregivers to help protect their families from food poisoning by checking their food safety steps. The new English and Spanish “Food Safe Families” public service advertisements (PSAs) feature specific safe food handling steps and communicate the risk of food poisoning. The campaign components include television, radio, print and digital PSAs. The campaign will also be supported by many partners, including the Partnership for Food Safety Education, food retailers, consumer groups and academia, as well as state and local agriculture and public health agencies.
Read more of this Constituent Update at:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm261939.htm
Redesigned FDA Web Page Fosters Food-Safety Awareness
To make it easier for you to know what FDA is doing and to become involved through public hearings, the Agency has redesigned its web page dedicated to the FDA “Food Safety Modernization Act” (“FSMA”): www.fda.gov/FSMA. In addition, FDA delivered the first tangible product of the historic food safety reform legislation on April 4, 2011: a new web-based recall search engine that makes it easier.
For more detailed information, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm251024.htm
Visit the “FSMA” web page:
http://www.fda.gov/FSMA
Food Safety PSAs Available on YouTube
As part of the “Food Safe Families” campaign, USDA has featured new videos called "Check Your Steps"–Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill to its YouTube account. These television public service announcements (PSAs) are depictions of the four key safe food handling behaviors that urge parents to keep their families safer from food poisoning and deliver clear steps to reduce their risk.
See the YouTube USDA Food Safety Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/USDAFoodSafety
Ongoing Outbreak of Human “Salmonella” Typhimurium Infections Associated with African Dwarf Frogs
On July 20, 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an update to announce that it is collaborating with public health officials in many states to investigate an ongoing nationwide outbreak of human “Salmonella” Typhimurium infections associated with African dwarf frogs, a type of water frog. African dwarf frogs commonly live in habitats containing water such as aquariums or fish tanks.
Reat the investigation update by the CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/water-frogs-0411/072011/index.html
September is National Food Safety Education Month (R)
The National Restaurant Association encourages restaurant and foodservice operators to begin planning for the 17th annual National Food Safety Education Month (R) (NFSEM). This month-long campaign is held every September and focuses on the importance of food safety education for the restaurant and foodservice industry, while raising the awareness of the industry's commitment to food safety. This year's theme is "Lessons Learned from the Health Inspection".
National Food Safety Education Month (R) is sponsored by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's International Food Safety Council, an initiative focused on heightening the awareness of the importance of food safety education to the restaurant and foodservice industry and supported by many public and private sector organizations.
For more information:
http://www.servsafe.com/nfsem/
Home Food Safety Mythbusters is Back!
September is National Food Safety Education Month. The Partnership for Food Safety Education will debunk four new common home food safety myths you need to know to keep your family safe from food borne illness. Look for new materials in August, including a powerpoint presentation and an educator's kit.
Visit the Partnership for Food safety Education:
http://fightbac.org/campaigns/mythbusters
ARS’ “Food and Nutrition Research Briefs” – July Issue
The USDA’s Agriculture and Research Service (ARS) has published the July 2011 issue of the "Food and Nutrition Research Briefs."
To view, visit ARS-USDA on the web at:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/fnrb/2011/fnrb0711.htm
New Podcast
Tune in to podcasts on selecting, handling and preparing meat and poultry products to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. FSIS has released the following new podcast in English and Spanish:
- Food Safety At Home:
- Food Safety after Flooding (English and Spanish) – July 7, 2011
Check out this podcast at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/Food_Safety_at_Home_Podcasts/index.asp (English)
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/En_Espanol/Podcasts_SP/index.asp (Spanish)
Visit FSIS’ Food Safety page on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/USDAFoodSafety
For other food safety podcasts:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/Podcasts/index.asp
Videocasts in American Sign Language:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/SignFSIS/index.asp
To continue automatically receiving podcasts, renew your subscription, or for assistance, e-mail:
podcast@fsis.usda.gov
Industry
Safer Fruits and Vegetables: FDA Aims to Set Production Standards
A new law has set in motion sweeping improvements to the safety of our food supply. President Obama signed the FDA “Food Safety Modernization Act” into law on January 4, 2011, but the year before, the Food and Drug Administration was already gearing up for important work that was mandated by the act: the Produce Safety Regulation. This regulation will establish mandatory, science-based, minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, sorting, packing, and storage of fresh fruits and vegetables. “This will be a monumental shift in food safety,” says James R. Gorny, Ph.D., FDA’s senior advisor for produce safety.
To read this Consumer Update, visit:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm262031.htm
FDA Progress Report on Implementing the “Food Safety Modernization Act:” May – July 2011
The FDA intends to provide regular updates to inform the public and Congress on its progress in implementing the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This summary does not reference all actions taken by FDA.
FDA Progress Report on Implementing the “Food Safety Modernization Act” May – July 2011 can be found at:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FSMA/ucm255893.htm
FDA: Food Related Emergency Exercise – Boxed Set (FREE-B)
On July 20, 2011, the FDA and federal partners released the Food Related Emergency Exercise Boxed (FREE-B) set, a Web-based collection of scenarios that will help government regulators, public health organizations and the food industry test their readiness for food-related emergencies, such as a human health emergency caused by an unintentional contamination of produce with “E. coli” O157:H7. FREE-B is a compilation of five scenarios designed to help test and develop food emergency response plans, protocols and procedures. It will help food and agriculture stakeholders and emergency preparedness planners collaborate better with each other, neighboring jurisdictions, the food industry and federal agencies during food emergencies.
Read more about this Constituent Update at:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm263213.htm
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made the Food Related Emergency Exercise Boxed Set (FREE-B) publicly available at:
http://www.FDA.gov/FoodDefense
FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Questions and Answers Regarding the Final Rule, Prevention of “Salmonella” Enteritidis in Shell Eggs During Production, Storage, and Transportation
On July 11, 2011, the FDA published draft guidance that provides direction to egg producers and other persons who are covered by FDA’s final rule “Prevention of ‘Salmonella’ Enteritidis in Shell Eggs During Production, Storage, and Transportation” (74 FR 33030). The guidance document responds to questions FDA has received on the final rule since its publication. It contains questions and answers relating to the requirements contained in Title 21, “Code of Federal Regulations,” Part 118.
This Constituent Update is available at:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm262677.htm
FDA Issues Anti-Smuggling Strategy and Guidance on New Dietary Ingredients: Critical Milestones Completed at New Law's Six-Month Mark
On July 5, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the completion of two tasks the agency was required to carry out within 180 days of the signing of the FDA “Food Safety Modernization Act.” On July 3, 2011, the deadline required by law, the FDA issued a strategy for identifying and preventing the entry of smuggled food, and draft guidance for the dietary supplement industry on assuring the safety of new dietary ingredients (NDI).
To read this Constituent Update, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm261636.htm
For additional information on the anti-smuggling strategy, view the “Fact Sheet on Anti-Smuggled Food Strategy” at:
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForIndustry/ImportProgram/UCM261739.pdf
Draft Guidance for Industry: Dietary Supplements: New Dietary Ingredient Notifications and Related Issues at:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/DietarySupplements/ucm257563.htm
New Dietary Ingredients in Dietary Supplements - Background for Industry can be found at:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/ucm109764.htm
Food Facts: “Dietary Supplements, What You Need to Know” at:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm109760.htm
FDA, Justice Department Take Action Against California Calf
The FDA announced that the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Sacramento Division, entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against John C. Virtue, doing business as Virtue Calves, and Shannon L. Virtue. This consent decree was issued for selling veal calves for use as food that contain illegal drug residues in violation of federal law. The decree prevents the Virtues and Virtue Calves from purchasing or selling any animals for use as food unless and until they take certain actions to assure that animals with illegal drug residues do not enter the food supply. The decree, filed by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Consumer Protection Litigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California, requires defendants to keep written records to identify which animals have been medicated and to segregate medicated and non-medicated animals.
For more detailed information, visit:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm261702.htm
FDA: New York Dietary Supplement Manufacturer Enters into Consent Decree
The FDA announced that Howard Sousa, doing business as the Artery Health Institute LLC, and DeSousa LLC, in New York, N.Y., has signed a consent decree of permanent injunction. The consent decree prohibits Sousa from distributing products with claims in the labeling to cure, treat, mitigate or prevent diseases. Although the capsules are represented as dietary supplements, they are promoted as drugs through claims made on the Web site. Under the “Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act” (“FFDCA”), a product is a drug if it is intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease. The capsules are promoted and marketed for serious disease conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and kidney stones.
To read this press release, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm261549.htm
FSIS Policy Updates
FSIS issues Notices and Directives to protect public health. The following policy updates were recently issued:
- FSIS Notices:
- FSIS Directive 5420.4: “Food Defense Verification and Surveillance Procedures and National Terrorism Advisory System Alert Response for the Office of International Affairs Import Inspection Division- Revision 6”
- Notice 35-11: “Verification Activities Related to the Use of Ingredients of Public Health Concern”
- Notice 32-11: “Sixth Food Defense Plan Survey”
All Notices and Directives are available at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/index.asp