EdNet – March 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 an 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

• Beware of Fraudulent ‘Dietary Supplements’
• Beware of Fraudulent Weight-Loss ‘Dietary Supplements’
• USDA Offers Food Safety Tips In Preparation for Tsunami Warnings in Hawaii and Along the West Coast  
• FDA: “E. coli” O157:H7 Cases Linked to Hazelnuts
• Unilever Announces Recall of Skippy (R) Reduced Fat Peanut Butter Spread Due to Possible Health Risk Limited Recall of 6 Best-If-Used-By Dates

Resources for Educators

• “Spring Clean Your Kitchen to ‘Be Food Safe’” (USDA)
• NOAA, FDA Continue to Re-test Gulf Seafood and Post Results
• FDA Announces Food Defense Mitigation Strategies Database
• CDC Investigation Announcement: Multistate Outbreak of “E. coli” O157:H7 Infections Associated with Lebanon Bologna
• Radiation Safety: What is the FDA Doing to Ensure the Safety of Products Imported from Japan?
• Statement from Agriculture Secretary Vilsack on Tragedies in Japan, Effects on U.S. Food Imports
• Congressional Testimony (USDA)
• FDA: Raw Milk May Pose Health Risk
• FDA: "Pine Mouth" and Consumption of Pine Nuts
• Statement by Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., Commissioner of Food and Drugs, on “The President’s Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Request for FDA”
• Remarks as Prepared for Delivery: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
• Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Highlights Benefits of the U.S.- Korea Trade Agreement for U.S. Agriculture
• Statement by Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., Commissioner of Food and Drugs, on Increasing the Prestige of Regulatory Sciences
• CDC Investigation Update: Multistate Outbreak of “E. coli” O157:H7 Infections Associated with In-shell Hazelnuts
• Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan Brings USDA's “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” College Tour to Oregon
• USDA Kicks Off National Nutrition Month and Announces Availability of Nutrition Grants to Improve the Health of America's Children
• FDA’s Warning Letter to StarKist Samoa Tuna Canning Facility  
• New Podcasts (FSIS)   

Meetings, Conferences, and Workshops

• NACMCF Subcommittee to Hold Public Meeting (USDA)
• USDA Announces Public Meeting, Seeks Comments on Positions of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Committee of Codex Alimentarius Commission

• USDA Invites Comments on Proposed Recommendations by Organic Advisory Board  

Industry

• USDA Sets New Standards for Reducing Foodborne Pathogens in Chickens and Turkeys, Preventing Up To 25,000 Illnesses --First Standards for “Campylobacter,” Stricter Standards for “Salmonella”
• Interagency Collaboration Underway for “Listeria monocytogenes” Risk Assessment in Ready-to-Eat Foods (USDA, FDA)
• FSIS to Provide Same Source Supplier List
• FSIS Policy Updates

Advisories, Alerts, and Warnings   

Beware of Fraudulent ‘Dietary Supplements’ 

Federal regulators continue to warn consumers about tainted, dangerous products that are marketed as dietary supplements. These fraudulent products can cause serious injury or even death. The FDA has found nearly 300 fraudulent products—promoted mainly for weight loss, sexual enhancement, and bodybuilding—that contain hidden or deceptively labeled ingredients. These hidden prescription ingredients are at levels much higher than those found in an approved drug product and are dangerous.

To find out more, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm246744.htm

Beware of Fraudulent Weight-Loss ‘Dietary Supplements’ 

“Magic diet pill! Melt your fat away! Diet and exercise not required!” Messages like these on weight-loss products taunt consumers looking for a quick and easy way to shed pounds. But these products don’t live up to their claims. Even worse, they can cause serious harm, say federal regulators, who have found dozens of products being touted as dietary supplements but that actually contain hidden prescription drugs or compounds that have not been adequately studied in humans.

Read this Consumer Update at:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm246742.htm

USDA Offers Food Safety Tips In Preparation for Tsunami Warnings in Hawaii and Along the West Coast 

On March 11, 2011, with tsunami warnings and advisories issued for Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a news release providing recommendations to residents in those areas to minimize the potential for foodborne illnesses due to power outages and other problems often associated with flooding.

Read this news release:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_031111_01/index.asp

FDA: “E. coli” O157:H7 Cases Linked to Hazelnuts

DeFranco & Sons of Los Angeles, CA, is voluntarily recalling bulk and consumer-packaged in-shell hazelnuts and mixed-nut products containing in-shell hazelnuts. The recalled products are linked to seven cases of “Escherichia coli” O157:H7 in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin and may cause serious illness. Consumers who have purchased bulk in-shell hazelnuts or mixed-nut products containing in-shell hazelnuts should check with the retailer to determine if they are subject to the recall, or throw the nuts away. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) became aware of the problem in late February and is actively working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health and agricultural agencies in those states where illnesses have occurred to investigate the source of the contamination. The FDA is also working with state authorities to take appropriate action to address any product that may be remaining on the market.

More information about the recalled products may be found at:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm245902.htm

Unilever Announces Recall of Skippy (R) Reduced Fat Peanut Butter Spread Due to Possible Health Risk Limited Recall of 6 Best-If-Used-By Dates 

On March 4, 2011, Unilever United States, Inc., announced a limited recall of Skippy® Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread and Skippy (R) Reduced Fat Super Chunk Peanut Butter Spread, because it may be contaminated with “Salmonella.” It’s an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). No other Skippy (R) products are affected by this recall. To date, no illnesses related to this issue have been reported.

For more detailed information, visit:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm245897.htm

“Spring Clean Your Kitchen to ‘Be Food Safe’” 

On March 24, 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a news release titled “Spring Clean Your Kitchen to ‘Be Food Safe.’”

Read this news release:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_032411_01/index.asp

NOAA, FDA Continue to Re-test Gulf Seafood and Post Results   

On March 24, 2011, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that it continues to re-test seafood from the Gulf of Mexico to demonstrate to American and worldwide consumers that it is safe to eat, and that it will continue this re-testing into the summer. Before waters were opened to fishing, NOAA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) extensively tested seafood from those waters, and NOAA has now completed two additional rounds of sampling and testing from each of those reopened areas. Thousands of test results, all publicly available, prove Gulf seafood is safe from oil and dispersant contamination

Read more:
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2011/20110324_postopening.html

FDA Announces Food Defense Mitigation Strategies Database

On March 23, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted the Food Defense Mitigation Strategies Database (MSD). The new database is one of several tools developed by the FDA for the food industry to help protect our nation’s food supply from deliberate acts of contamination or tampering. This resource is designed for companies that produce, process, store, package, distribute, and/or transport food or food ingredients. The MSD provides a range of preventive measures that companies may choose to implement to better protect their facility, personnel, products, and operations. In the MSD, the recommended safety measures are organized into categories and sub-categories called nodes that address each step of the food production and distribution process.

To read this Constituent Update in its entirety, visit:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm248125.htm

CDC Investigation Announcement: Multistate Outbreak of “E. coli” O157:H7 Infections Associated with Lebanon Bologna 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is collaborating with public health officials in many States and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA/FSIS) to investigate a multistate outbreak of “Escherichia coli” O157:H7 infections. Investigators are using DNA analysis of “E. coli” O157:H7 bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing to identify cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak.

For updates about the Outbreak, visit CDC’s Web site:
http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2011/O157_0311/index.html

Radiation Safety: What is the FDA Doing to Ensure the Safety of Products Imported from Japan? 

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) screening at U.S. borders will remain vigilant and will be augmented with radiation screening of shipments. Because of the heavy damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami to the region, no products are currently being exported from the affected area. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare has also ordered a stop to the sale of all food products from the Fukushima Prefecture. FDA’s import tracking system has been programmed to automatically flag all shipments of FDA-regulated products from Japan, and the Agency maintains a registry of companies that prepare, pack, manufacture, or hold food for intended consumption in the U.S. The Agency will be paying special attention to shipments from those companies in the affected area.

For more detailed information,visit:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm247403.htm

Statement from Agriculture Secretary Vilsack on Tragedies in Japan, Effects on U.S. Food Imports  

On March 18, 2011, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made a statement on the recent tragedies in Japan.

Read the statement:
http://www.usda.gov/2011/03/0130.xml

Congressional Testimony  

On March 15, 2011, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) published on its Web site testimonies before the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies.

• “Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Request for Food Safety” – – Statement of

Dr. Elisabeth Hagen, Under Secretary for Food Safety, FSIS

• “FSIS Programs: Improving Public Health Through Food Safety” -- Statement of

Alfred V. Almanza, Administrator, FSIS

To read these statements, visit:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Testimonies/index.asp

FDA: Raw Milk May Pose Health Risk

On March 16, 2011, the FDA posted a Consumer Update on its Web site entitled, “Raw Milk Post Health Risk.” This update includes information about how pasteurization reduces illness, how Federal law prohibits dairies from distributing raw milk across state lines if it has been packaged for consumers, and the symptoms of foodborne illness.

To read this Consumer Update, visit:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm232980.htm

FDA: "Pine Mouth" and Consumption of Pine Nuts

In the past year, FDA has received a number of consumer complaints regarding a bitter metallic taste associated with pine nuts. This taste, known as "pine mouth," typically begins 12 to 48 hours after consuming pine nuts, and lasts on average between a few days and two weeks. It is exacerbated by consumption of any other food during this period and significantly decreases appetite and enjoyment of food. The symptoms decrease over time with no apparent adverse clinical side effects. In response to increased consumer complaints, FDA developed a detailed questionnaire, and collected and analyzed samples from some consumers submitting complaints.

To learn the results of FDA’s detailed questionnaire and more, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm247099.htm

Consumers experiencing "pine mouth" may contact the FDA District Office in their area. For a list, go to the Consumer Complaint Coordinators page at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ConsumerComplaintCoordinators/default.htm

Statement by Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., Commissioner of Food and Drugs, on “The President’s Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Request for FDA”

On March 11, 2011, Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services, issued a statement on “The President’s Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Request for FDA” before the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, U.S. House of Representatives. For FY 2012, FDA proposes an increase of $326.0 million for the Transforming Food Safety and Nutrition Initiative.  This increase includes $225.8 million in budget authority and $100.2 million for user fees, including the four new user fees enacted in the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.

Read the entire statement at:
http://www.foodsafety.gov/news/fsma.html

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies

On March 10, 2011, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies:

Read this transcript:
http://www.usda.gov/2011/03/0111.xml

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Highlights Benefits of the U.S.- Korea Trade Agreement for U.S. Agriculture

On March 8, 2011, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack hosted a media conference call to highlight the benefits to U.S. agriculture of the U.S.-Korea Trade Agreement (KORUS) now pending before Congress. The Obama Administration concluded trade negotiations with South Korea in December 2010, setting the stage for Congressional action. It is expected that, once ratified by Congress, the KORUS agreement will expand U.S. farm exports to South Korea by $1.8 billion, support thousands of new jobs here at home, and help to position U.S. agriculture ahead of its competitors in the lucrative Asian marketplace.

Read this news release:
http://www.usda.gov/2011/03/0102.xml

Statement by Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., Commissioner of Food and Drugs, on Increasing the Prestige of Regulatory Sciences

On March 8, 2011, Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services, issued a statement on “Increasing the Prestige of Regulatory Sciences” before the Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting.

Read the entire statement at:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Speeches/ucm246224.htm      

CDC Investigation Update: Multistate Outbreak of “E. coli” O157:H7 Infections Associated with In-shell Hazelnuts

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is collaborating with public health officials in California, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of “E. coli” O157:H7 infections. Investigators are using DNA analysis of “E. coli” O157:H7 bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing to identify cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak.

For updates about the Outbreak, go to CDC’s Web site at:
http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2011/hazelnuts0157/

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan Brings USDA's “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” College Tour to Oregon

On March 3, 2011, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan highlighted how Oregons can tap into USDA's “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative, which promotes local and regional food systems by stimulating community economic development and ensuring equitable access to affordable fresh and local food. Merrigan discussed the initiative and food systems policy with students, faculty and community leaders at Portland State University and also at Oregon State University.

Read this news release:
http://www.usda.gov/2011/03/0094.xml  

USDA Kicks Off National Nutrition Month and Announces Availability of Nutrition Grants to Improve the Health of America's Children

On March 2, 2011, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack kicked off National Nutrition Month by announcing the availability of Team Nutrition Training Grants for Healthy Meals to states to help children develop healthy eating and physical activity habits for healthier lifestyles. USDA's nutrition assistance programs touched the lives of 1 in 4 Americans last year, including the nearly 32 million kids that participate in school meal programs every school day.

Read this news release:
http://www.usda.gov/2011/03/0092.xml

FDA’s Warning Letter to StarKist Samoa Tuna Canning Facility

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Warning Letter on March 1, 2011, to StarKist Company because of violations of seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and low-acid canned food regulations at the company’s American Samoa plant.  These regulations set out preventive controls that processors are to implement in order to reduce the risk of food safety problems.  FDA inspectors observed and documented the violations during an inspection from November 1 through November 4, 2010, and gave the company form FDA 483 inspectional observations at the completion of the inspection.

Read about this warning letter at:
http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/ucm245297.htm

New Podcasts 

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 podcasts in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language (ASL):

• Food Safety At Home:
  • “What is Campylobacter?” (English and Spanish) - March 9, 2011

Check out these podcasts at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/Podcasts/index.asp

Spanish language consumer podcasts:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/En_Espanol/Podcasts_SP/index.asp

Video-casts 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.

NACMCF Subcommittee to Hold Public Meeting

USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service announced that a subcommittee of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will hold public meetings April 5-7. The meetings will take place on Tuesday, April 5, 2011, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Wednesday, April 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Thursday, April 7, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Aerospace Building, 901 D St., SW, Room 369, Washington, DC. To participate, contact Karen Thomas-Sharp at (202) 690-6620 or karen.thomas-sharp@fsis.usda.gov. Due to increased security measures, all persons wishing to attend must RSVP in advance.

For the latest FSIS meetings announcemtns, go to:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/Meetings_&_Events/index.asp#officials

USDA Announces Public Meeting, Seeks Comments on Positions of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Committee of Codex Alimentarius Commission

On March 25, 2011, the Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Fruit and Vegetable Programs of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced they are sponsoring a public meeting to address agenda items for the upcoming meeting of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. The meeting will be held on April 5, 2011, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Room 2068 of the USDA South Building, located at 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC.

Read this announcement:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_032511_01/index.asp

USDA Invites Comments on Proposed Recommendations by Organic Advisory Board 

On March 9, 2010, the Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS), with USDA, issued a news release announcing that on April 26-29, 2011, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will convene in Seattle, WA, to receive input from the organic community and finalize its recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture. USDA encourages the public to provide comments on these recommendations. After the NOSB votes on and finalizes these recommendations, it will submit them to the National Organic Program for further consideration and potential inclusion in the federal organic regulations.

A full listing of topics on the meeting agenda, NOSB committees’ draft recommendations, and instructions for providing comments are available at:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/nosb

Read more:
http://1.usa.gov/hstDhK

Industry  

USDA Sets New Standards for Reducing Foodborne Pathogens in Chickens and Turkeys, Preventing Up To 25,000 Illnesses --First Standards for “Campylobacter,” Stricter Standards for “Salmonella”

On March 16, 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced implementation of revised and new performance standards aimed at reducing the prevalence of “Salmonella” and “Campylobacter” in young chickens and turkeys. The improved standards will become effective in July 2011. With the new standards, FSIS is encouraging establishments slaughtering chicken and turkey to make continued reductions in the occurrence of pathogens — namely “Salmonella” and “Campylobacter” — in the products they produce.

Read this announcement:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_031611_01/index.asp

Interagency Collaboration Underway for “Listeria monocytogenes” Risk Assessment in Ready-to-Eat Foods 

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have partnered with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to determine how “Listeria monocytogenes” (“Lm”) contamination and concentration varies among ready-to-eat (RTE) food categories. The findings from these risk assessments will be used to inform policy decisions.

To review the 2003 FDA/FSIS quantitative risk assessment, go to: 
http://www.fda.gov/Food/ScienceResearch/ResearchAreas/RiskAssessmentSafetyAssessment/ucm183966.htm

FSIS to Provide Same Source Supplier List

FSIS is providing an update to the Same Source Supplier listing on its Web site. Provided in a PDF format, the list contains information helpful to plant owners and operators, as well as inspection personnel, by identifying residue history of livestock suppliers.

The Same Source Supplier list can be reviewed at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/Chemistry/index.asp

FSIS Policy Updates   

FSIS issues Notices and Directives to protect public health. The following policy update was recently issued:

• FSIS Directive 5720.3: “Methodology for Performing Scheduled and Targeted Reviews of State Meat and Poultry Inspection Programs”
• FSIS Notices:
  • Notice 13-11: “Level of In-Plant Targeted Testing for Chemical Residues”
  • Notice 12-11: “How to Proceed in Establishments that have Multiple FSIS Laboratory Confirmed Residue Violations from the Same Source Supplier”

All Notices and Directives are available at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/index.asp