EdNet January 2013
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).
Subscribe to EdNet: Use this link to either subscribe to email alerts about new issues of EdNet or change your subscription.In this issue:
Advisories, Alerts and Warnings
Resources for Educators
- Attribution of Foodborne Illnesses, Hospitalizations, and Deaths to Food Commodities by using Outbreak Data, United States, 1998–2008, Emerging Infectious Disease, Vol. 19, No. 3 - March 2013 (CDC)
- National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods Restarts Critical Food Safety Work with 22 New Members, Renewed Charter
- Blog by: Mary Lou Valdez, FDA’s Associate Commissioner for International Programs, on FDA Commissioner’s Global Health Lectureship: Focusing the Lens on Product Safety
- Visit USDA's Blog
- FDA Proposes New Food Safety Standards for Foodborne Illness Prevention and Produce Safety
- Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the Food, Farm and Jobs Bill
- FDA’s Nutrition Facts Label: 20 and Evolving
- FDA Provides a Portal to India
- Blog by: FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., on Basing Food Safety Standards on Science and Prevention
- FDA Strengthening Our Food Safety Foundation
- Blog by: Michael R. Taylor, J.D., Deputy Commissioner for Foods, FDA, Regarding FDA Writing New Chapters in Food Safety History
- FSIS’ Spanish-Language Virtual Expert Answers Food Safety Questions on Your Smartphone
- FDA’s CFSAN Education Resource Library
- Surveillance for Foodborne Disease Outbreaks — U,S. 2009–2010 - MMWR (CDC)
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Research Briefs – January Issue
Meetings, Conferences and Workshops
- FDA to Hold a Public Meeting on Two Major FSMA Proposed Rules in Washington, DC on February 28 – March 1, 2013
- National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods Restarts Critical Food Safety Work with 22 New Members, Renewed Charter
- USDA Announces Speakers for the 2013 Agricultural Outlook Forum
- FSIS Webinars Available on the Labeling Submission System
Industry
- FDA Announces Reorganization for the Foods and Veterinary Medicine Program
- Federal Register Notice Will Update Foreign Equivalency Process
- FDA: Puerto Rico Beverage Manufacturer Enters into Consent
- Fact Sheet on the FSMA Proposed Rule for Preventive Controls for Human Food: Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food
- Fact Sheet on the FSMA Proposed Rule for Produce: Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human ConsumptionFDA Vacates Suspension Order, Authorizes Sunland Inc. to Restart Operations at Peanut Mill Plant
- FDA Vacates Suspension Order, Authorizes Sunland Inc. to Restart Operations at Peanut Mill Plant
- FDA’s Implementation of Biennial Registration Renewal
- The New FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
- FSIS Policy Updates
Advisories, Alerts and Warnings
FDA: Dangerous Supplement Now Sold as WOW
The FDA is warning the public that a product distributed and sold under the name WOW is really just another product in disguise, one that can cause serious harm. Earlier in 2012, FDA twice warned the public about taking Reumofan Plus—marketed as a natural dietary supplement for the treatment of many conditions, including arthritis and bone cancer—because, in reality, it contains undeclared active ingredients found in prescription drugs that should only be used under the supervision of a health care professional.
Read more about this Consumer Update at:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm333188.htm
Resources for Educators
Attribution of Foodborne Illnesses, Hospitalizations, and Deaths to Food Commodities by using Outbreak Data, United States, 1998–2008, Emerging Infectious Disease, Vol. 19, No. 3 - March 2013
Each year, more than 9 million foodborne illnesses are estimated to be caused by major pathogens acquired in the United States. Preventing these illnesses is challenging because resources are limited and linking individual illnesses to a particular food is rarely possible except during an outbreak. We developed a method of attributing illnesses to food commodities that uses data from outbreaks associated with both simple and complex foods. Using data from outbreak-associated illnesses for 1998–2008, we estimated annual US foodborne illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths attributable to each of 17 food commodities. We attributed 46% of illnesses to produce and found that more deaths were attributed to poultry than to any other commodity. To the extent that these estimates reflect the commodities causing all foodborne illness, they indicate that efforts are particularly needed to prevent contamination of produce and poultry. Methods to incorporate data from other sources are needed to improve attribution estimates for some commodities and agents.
Read this latest CDC EID Report:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/19/3/11-1866_article.htm
National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods Restarts Critical Food Safety Work with 22 New Members, Renewed Charter
On January 28, 2013, FSIS announced the re-chartering of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) and welcomes the addition of new members. The committee is charged with providing recommendations to the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services (HHS) on microbiological criteria by which the safety and wholesomeness of food can be assessed. That work includes criteria for microorganisms that indicate whether foods have been adequately and appropriately processed.
Read this news release:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_012813_01/index.asp
Blog by: Mary Lou Valdez, FDA’s Associate Commissioner for International Programs, on FDA Commissioner’s Global Health Lectureship: Focusing the Lens on Product Safety
FDA is responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of tens of millions of foreign shipments of human food, animal feed, medical products and cosmetics that come into the United States every year. Many source countries are part of the developing world that is still forming its economic and industrial base. Thus, we have strong public health interests in making sure that the countries of origin have effective systems of regulatory oversight. To enhance FDA’s knowledge of global public health trends, the Office of International Programs launched The Commissioner’s Global Health Lectureship in 2010. The lectureship invites highly respected and recognized leaders in global health to speak to FDA staff, and help the Agency explore its role as a public health agency of the 21st century and consider the critical functions of regulatory science and systems that contribute to improved public health.
Read the entire blog on FDA Voice at:
Visit USDA's Blog
Every day, the USDA Blog shares something new about USDA's expansive mission. The blog provides a rich and diverse look at the work within the department, spanning the nation—and even the world—and highlights the breadth of USDA programs and the role they play in the lives of every American.
To see what's happening within the agency and across the department, go to:
FDA Proposes New Food Safety Standards for Foodborne Illness Prevention and Produce Safety
On January 4, 2013, the FDA proposed two new food safety rules that will help prevent foodborne illness. The proposed rules implement the landmark, bipartisan FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and are available for public comment for the next 120 days. The FDA encourages Americans to review and comment on these important proposed rules. The proposed rules build on significant strides made during the Obama Administration, including the first egg safety rule protecting consumers from Salmonella and stepped up testing for E. coli in beef as well as existing voluntary industry guidelines for food safety, which many producers, growers and others currently follow. The rules follow extensive outreach by the FDA to the produce industry, the consumer community, other government agencies and the international community.
To read detailed information about the new proposals, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm334156.htm
Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the Food, Farm and Jobs Bill
On January 2, 2013, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a statement on the Food, Farm and Jobs Bill.
Read this statement:
http://www.usda.gov/2013/01/0001.xml
FDA’s Nutrition Facts Label: 20 and Evolving
When you're walking down the aisles of a supermarket, it's not unusual to see fellow shoppers reading the information on the back of a food package, box or can. They might want to know how many calories are in the food, or they might be watching their sodium intake. All this information is available thanks to an important addition to food packaging that was introduced to the American public 20 years ago: the Nutrition Facts label.
To read this Consumer Update, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm334749.htm
FDA Provides a Portal to India
The next time you stir black pepper, cumin, chili or cardamom into your stew, think about this: Nearly one quarter of the spices, oils and food colorings used in the United States comes from India. In fact, India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices globally.
Read this Consumer Update and learn how FDA helps ensure that the India-produced foods and drugs we use are safe, effective and of good quality at:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm333944.htm
Blog by: FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., on, Basing Food Safety Standards on Science and Prevention
FDA’s Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., blogs about why she takes such pride in FDA’s proposal of two rules that set science-based standards for the prevention of foodborne illnesses. One will govern facilities that produce food, and the other concerns the safety of produce.
Read the entire blog on FDA Voice at:
http://blogs.fda.gov/fdavoice/index.php/category/food/
FDA Strengthening Our Food Safety Foundation
For the FDA, prevention is at the heart of food safety. Preventing problems before they cause harm is not only common sense, it is the key to food safety in the 21st century, says FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. We cannot afford to wait until people become ill to realize there is a problem. In accordance with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, FDA is promulgating five new rules to support and strengthen the nation’s food safety system for the 21st century. Together, the proposed rules will establish requirements for farmers, food companies and importers to prevent foodborne illness.
To read this Consumer Update in its entirety, visit:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm334038.htm
Blog by: Michael R. Taylor, J.D., Deputy Commissioner for Foods, FDA, Regarding, FDA Writing New Chapters in Food Safety History
FDA’s Deputy Commissioner for Foods, Michael R. Taylor, blogs about how Sunland Inc. entered into a court ordered agreement imposing requirements that must be complied with if the company is to operate. This consent decree follows FDA’s suspension of Sunland’s food facility registration in November as a result of evidence linking Sunland to an outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney that sickened 42 people in 20 states, as well as the company’s history of violations. The company was barred from distributing food in intrastate or interstate commerce while its registration was suspended.
Read this blog in its entirety on FDA Voice at:
http://blogs.fda.gov/fdavoice/index.php/2012/12/fda-writing-new-chapters-in-food-safety-history/
FSIS’ Spanish-Language Virtual Expert Answers Food Safety Questions on Your Smartphone
FSIS' Spanish-language food safety app is available to consumers around the clock on their mobile devices. Mobile Pregúntele a Karen is the Spanish-language version of Mobile Ask Karen, the virtual expert who answers smartphone users' questions about properly handling, storing and preparing food to prevent illness. The app is also available in English. Both Mobile Pregúntele a Karen, which is optimized for iOS and Android devices, and the desktop-based Pregúntele a Karen are available 24 hours a day at m.PregunteleaKaren.gov or
http://www.PregunteleaKaren.gov
FDA’s CFSAN Education Resource Library
FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) Education Resource Library is a compilation of printable educational materials on topics related to food safety, nutrition (including labeling and dietary supplements) and cosmetics. These materials are intended for educators, teachers, dietitians and health professionals, as well as for general consumer education. Materials are available in PDF format for immediate download and may also be ordered in larger quantities using CFSAN's Consumer Related Resources Order Form.
See the full spectrum of CFSAN’s information on various topics:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm239035.htm
Or, see:
Surveillance for Foodborne Disease Outbreaks — U.S. 2009–2010 - MMWR
On January 25, 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a MMWR report titled Surveillance for Foodborne Disease Outbreaks – U.S. 2009-2010. Known pathogens cause an estimated 9.4 million foodborne illnesses annually in the United States. CDC collects data on foodborne disease outbreaks submitted by all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico through CDC's Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System. Data reported for each outbreak include the number of illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths; the etiologic agent; the implicated food vehicle; and other factors involved in food preparation and consumption.
Read this entire MMWR report:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6203a1.htm?s_cid=mm6203a1_e
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Research Briefs – January Issue
The January 2013 issue of the Food and Nutrition Research Briefs is now available.
Visit on the web at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/fnrb/fnrb0113.htm
Meetings, Conferences and Workshops
FDA to Hold a Public Meeting on Two Major FSMA Proposed Rules in Washington, DC on February 28 – March 1, 2013
The FDA has announced the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA): Proposed Rules for Produce Safety and for the Preventive Controls for Human Food Public Meeting. The first meeting in a series of three public meetings to be held on these FSMA proposals will be held on February 28, 2013, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm and March 1, 2013, 8:30 am – 12:00 noon, at the Jefferson Auditorium, USDA, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Wing 5 Entrance,
Washington, DC. Information on the other two public meetings including dates, locations, and registration information will be released shortly. The agenda format for all three meetings will be the same.
Read about this meeting at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/default.htm?source=govdelivery
See Federal Register Notice of this public meeting:
National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods Restarts Critical Food Safety Work with 22 New Members, Renewed Charter
On January 28, 2013, FSIS announced the re-chartering of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) and welcomes the addition of new members.
Read this news release: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_012813_01/index.asp
USDA Announces Speakers for the 2013 Agricultural Outlook Forum
On January 14, 2013, the USDA announced speakers for the 2013 Agricultural Outlook Forum, Managing Risk in the 21st Century, February 21-22 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, VA. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will present the keynote address, followed by guest speaker former Senator Thomas A. Daschle, currently a senior policy advisor with DLA Piper.
For more details, read this news release:
http://www.usda.gov/oce/newsroom/archives/releases/2013/OutlookForum_01142013.htm
A program schedule and registration are available at:
http://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/
FSIS Webinars Available on the Labeling Submission System
FSIS is offering webinars on the Labeling Submission and Approval System (LSAS)—a Web-based application for accepting label submissions that launched last May. Webinars are scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on February 20 and March 20, 2013. For questions, contact Kristin Goodwin at (301) 504-0878 or kristin.goodwin@fsis.usda.gov.
To access the webinar, follow the on-screen instructions when you go to:
https://connect16.uc.att.com/usda/meet/?ExEventID=85277207
Industry
FDA Announces Reorganization for the Foods and Veterinary Medicine Program
On January 28, 2013, the FDA announced in the Federal Register a reorganization for the Foods and Veterinary Medicine (FVM) program that was implemented on October 1, 2012. Under the reorganization, the Office of Foods is now the Office of Foods and Veterinary Medicine, led by Michael Taylor, the Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine.
For detailed information about the reorganization, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm336983.htm
Federal Register Notice Will Update Foreign Equivalency Process
FSIS sent a Notice to the Federal Register updating the agency's methods for determining a foreign country's food safety system equivalence to that of the U.S. and, ultimately, its ability to export meat and egg products to the U.S. FSIS is further refining the more systematic approach currently in use.
An advance copy of the Federal Register Notice is available for review at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/2012-0049.pdf
FDA: Puerto Rico Beverage Manufacturer Enters into Consent Decree
On January 25, 2013, the FDA announced that Jonlly Fruits, Inc. (Jonlly), and its President, Bartolo Pérez Román (Defendants), have signed a consent decree of permanent injunction prohibiting distribution of their fruit and juice products sold under Jonlly’s own label, as well as “Natural Tropic,” “Selectos,” and several other private-label brands. The consent decree was signed by Judge Gustavo A. Gelpi of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico on
January 17, 2013. Defendants have a long history of violating the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act), by failing to comply with current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) and the juice Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations. Such violations render Jonlly’s fruit and juice beverages adulterated under the Act because they have been prepared, packed, and held under insanitary conditions.
For more detailed information read this FDA Press Announcement at:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm336869.htm
Fact Sheet on the FSMA Proposed Rule for Preventive Controls for Human Food: Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food
FDA has released for public comment its proposed rule on preventive controls for human food that focuses on preventing problems that can cause foodborne illness. The proposed rule, which is required by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, would apply to many domestic and foreign firms that manufacture, process, pack or hold human food. These firms would be required to have written plans that identify hazards, specify the steps that will be put in place to minimize or prevent those hazards, identify monitoring procedures and record monitoring results, and specify what actions will be taken to correct problems that arise. FDA would evaluate the plans and continue to inspect facilities to make sure the plans are being implemented properly. FDA will soon issue its proposed rule on importer foreign supplier verification. Future proposed rules will address preventive controls for animal food, and accreditation of third-party auditors.
For more information regarding this proposed rule, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FSMA/ucm334115.htm
Fact Sheet on the FSMA Proposed Rule for Produce: Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption
On January 4, 2013, FDA released for public comment its proposed rule to establish science-based standards for growing, harvesting, packing and holding produce on domestic and foreign farms. The proposed rule is one of five proposed rulemakings that would lay the cornerstone of the prevention-based, modern food safety system needed. Section 105 of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) directs FDA to set science-based standards for the safe production and harvesting of fruits and vegetables that the Agency determines minimize the risk of serious adverse health consequences or death. FDA proposes to set standards associated with identified routes of microbial contamination of produce.
For detailed information about this fact sheet on FSMA proposed rule for produce, visit:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FSMA/ucm334114.htm
FDA Vacates Suspension Order, Authorizes Sunland Inc. to Restart Operations at Peanut Mill Plant
The FDA has reinstated the food facility registration of Sunland Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of peanut products linked to an outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney last fall, after a federal judge entered a consent decree of permanent injunction imposing requirements on the firm. On November 26, 2012, FDA suspended Sunland’s registration because it did not provide enough assurance that existing problems would be corrected. This was the first use of the agency’s authority to prohibit a food facility from introducing product into interstate or intrastate commerce, an authority granted to the agency under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011.
Read more of this Constituent Update at:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm334248.htm
FDA’s Implementation of Biennial Registration Renewal
FDA issued a guidance document stating that because there was a delay in FDA’s implementation of biennial registration renewal for the 2012 cycle, and registration renewal did not become available until October 22, 2012, FDA intends to exercise enforcement discretion with respect to registration renewals submitted to FDA after December 31, 2012 for a period of 31 days, until January 31, 2013.
Information related to Registration under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is available at:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FSMA/ucm314178.htm
FDA: Guidance for Industry: Questions and Answers Regarding Food Facility Registration (Fifth Edition) can be found at:
The New FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the most sweeping reform of our food safety laws in more than 70 years, was signed into law by President Obama on January 4, 2011. It aims to ensure the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it.
Updates regarding the Implementation and Progress of the New FDA Food Safety Modernization Act and more can be found at:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FSMA/default.htm
Presentations and Print Material about the Proposed Rules under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act are available at:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FSMA/ucm265429.htm
FSIS Policy Updates
FSIS issues Notices and Directives to protect public health. The following policy updates were recently issued:
- Docket No. FSIS-2013-0001: Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling
- Docket No. FSIS-2012-0014: Notice of Request for a New Information Collection; Import of Undenatured Inedible Product
- Notice 03-13: Documentation Procedures for Certifying Exports to the People's Republic of China
- Directive 5040.1: Uses of FSIS Form PY-200 Egg Products Inspection Certificate
- Notice 01-13: Instructions for Verification of Improvest Hogs
- Directive 8000.1: Ensuring Integrity of Data in the AssuranceNet/InCommerce System
- Directive 9500.1, Contingency Plan for Import Reinspection When PHIS is Unavailable
All Notices and Directives are available at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/index.asp
