EdNet - May 2012

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).

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In this issue:

Advisories, Alerts, and Warnings

• FDA: Salinas Firm Initiates A Voluntary Recall Because Of Possible Health Risk
• Pacific Coast Fruit Company Recalls Single Side Serving Processed Salads for Potential Listeria monocytogenes Contamination
• River Ranch Recalls Retail and Food Service Salads Because Of Possible Health Risk
• River Ranch Expands Salad Recall Because Of Possible Health Risk
• FDA Challenges Marketing of DMAA Products for Lack of Safety Evidence 

Resources for Educators

• USDA Wants Families to "Grill It Safe" This Memorial Day Weekend
• Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Celebrates USDA's 150th Year of Service, Highlights Ways the Every Day, Every Way' Department Works for American People
• Update from APHIS Regarding a Detection of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States
• USDA Grants to Increase Farmers Market Participation in SNAP
• Under Secretary Hagen Talks About USDA's Nutrition Labels
• FDA Unit Mobilizes for Emergency Response
• Happy Birthday: USDA Celebrates One Year of Mobile Ask Karen, Food Safety on Your Smartphone
• CFSAN Announces Availability of Recordings from the Food and Nutrition Webinar Held on March 5-6, 2012
• New Podcasts

Meetings, Conferences, and Workshops

• FDA to Convene a FSMA Public Meeting on International Capacity Building with Respect to Food Safety                 

People in the News

• Faces of Food Safety

Industry

• Building International Capacity with Respect to Food Safety
• FDA Facts: Food Safety Enforcement
• USDA Streamlining Meat and Poultry Labeling Approval Process
• USDA Announces New Safeguards to Protect Consumers from Foodborne Illness
• FDA Progress Report on Implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act
• OIG: FSIS Appropriately Addresses Industry Appeals of Humane Handling Enforcement Actions
• FDA Guidance for Industry: Bottled Water Quality Standard: Establishing an Allowable Level for di (2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP); Small Entity Compliance Guide
• Updates on FSIS Testing for E. coli
• FSIS Policy Updates

FDA: Salinas Firm Initiates A Voluntary Recall Because Of Possible Health Risk

Taylor Farms Retail, Inc. is initiating a voluntary recall of Organic Baby Spinach with the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella following a random test conducted on a finished package of spinach by USDA. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.. There have been no reported illnesses attributed to the recalled items. The “Best By” Code Date for the recalled products can be located on the lower right portion of the front label. These recalled items were distributed from Taylor Farms Retail, Inc. on May 9, 2012 and May 10, 2012.

For more detailed information about the Organic Baby Spinach recall, visit:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm305203.htm

Pacific Coast Fruit Company Recalls Single Side Serving Processed Salads for Potential Listeria monocytogenes Contamination

Pacific Coast Fruit Company, Portland, OR, is voluntarily recalling multiple types of bagged processed salads based on the potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Pacific Coast Fruit utilized a portion of the salads that were recalled by River Ranch in some of their retail and food service processed bagged salad. Pacific Coast recalled products were distributed to Fred Meyer, Avanti, and Evergreen in Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Idaho. Consumers who have purchased this product should not consume it and are urged to return it to the place of purchase or destroy the product. 

For Pacific Coast Fruit contact information, details regarding product UPC code and more, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm305123.htm

River Ranch Recalls Retail and Food Service Salads Because Of Possible Health Risk

River Ranch Fresh Foods, LLC of Salinas, CA, is initiating a voluntary recall of retail and foodservice bagged salads, because they have the potential of being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes following routine random retail salad finished product tests conducted in the marketplace by the FDA. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Retail salad products under this recall were distributed nationwide under various sizes and packaged under the brand names of River Ranch, Farm Stand, Hy-Vee, Marketside, Shurfresh, and The Farmer’s Market. Foodservice salad products under this recall were distributed nationwide under various sizes and packaged under the brand names of River Ranch, Cross Valley, Fresh n Easy, Promark, and Sysco.

For more detailed information about this recall, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm304718.htm

River Ranch Expands Salad Recall Because Of Possible Health Risk

River Ranch Fresh Foods, LLC of Salinas, CA is expanding its voluntary recall of retail and foodservice bagged salads, because they have the potential of being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Updated information about the recall of retail and foodservice bagged salads can be found at:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm304741.htm

FDA Challenges Marketing of DMAA Products for Lack of Safety Evidence

The FDA issued warning letters to ten manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements containing dimethylamylamine, more popularly known as DMAA, for marketing products for which evidence of the safety of the product had not been submitted to the FDA. Also referred to as 1,3-dimethylamylamine, methylhexanamine, or geranium extract, the ingredient is in dietary supplements and is often touted as a "natural" stimulant.  

The Agency cited ten companies in warning letters. Read about the companies receiving warning letters and their product names:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm302133.htm

USDA Wants Families to "Grill It Safe" This Memorial Day Weekend

On May 24, 2012, the USDA issued a news release providing food safety resources for grilling and other summer activities, made available to help consumers prevent food poisoning during warmer months.

Read this news release:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_052412_01/index.asp

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Celebrates USDA's 150th Year of Service, Highlights Ways the Every Day, Every Way' Department Works for American People

On May 15, 2012, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack marked the 150th anniversary of the USDA  and highlighted the positive impact that the Department has on the life of Americans each day.

Read this news release:
http://www.usda.gov/2012/05/0154.xml

For more information on the 150th anniversary celebration, visit:
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=USDA150

Update from APHIS Regarding a Detection of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States

On May 2, 2012, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued an update regarding detection of BSE in the U.S.

Read this update:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/2012/05/bse_update_050212.shtml

USDA Grants to Increase Farmers Market Participation in SNAP

On May 9, 2012, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced awards to help States expand availability of wireless technology in farmers' markets not currently participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The $4 million in funding provides SNAP participants greater access to fresh and healthy food, while supporting American farmers and local economies.

To read this news release and listen to a related audio, visit:
http://www.usda.gov/2012/05/0149.xml

Under Secretary Hagen Talks About USDA's Nutrition Labels

Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Elisabeth Hagen recently made a visit to a local grocery store in Washington, D.C., to talk about the USDA labels which provide in-store nutrition information for consumers to let them know about the content of the meat and poultry they are eating.

Check out the USDA video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgVG1Iz7WJw

FDA Unit Mobilizes for Emergency Response

In early March 2012, federal officials learned of infections from Salmonella Bareilly, bacteria that can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps if eaten in contaminated food. Left untreated, the illness can lead to death in high-risk populations, such as infants, older adults, and pregnant women. Since then, about 250 people have been infected in 24 states and the District of Columbia, according to the CDC. The source of this outbreak is no longer a mystery, thanks in part to the efforts of the FDA special urgent-response unit—the Incident Management Group (IMG). “The IMG serves as the agency’s focal point for coordinating emergency response activities,” says Ellen Morrison, director of the agency’s Office of Crisis Management.

For more information, visit: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm302779.htm

Happy Birthday: USDA Celebrates One Year of Mobile Ask Karen, Food Safety on Your Smartphone

FSIS celebrates the first anniversary of Mobile Ask Karen (m.AskKaren.gov), the mobile app that allows consumers to ask food safety questions at any time of day, instantly from their smartphones. The agency created a mobile version of Ask Karen, its virtual food safety representative who offers advice about properly handling, storing and preparing food to prevent illness, last May to reach consumers where they are used to receiving timely information. Both Mobile Ask Karen, which is optimized for iOS and Android devices, and the desktop-based Ask Karen are available 24 hours a day at m.AskKaren.gov or AskKaren.gov, with nearly 1,500 food safety answers searchable by topic and by product. Consumers can also e-mail, chat with a live representative or call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline directly from the app.

Read more at this Constituent Update:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Const_Update_051112/index.asp

CFSAN Announces Availability of Recordings from the Food and Nutrition Webinar Held on March 5-6, 2012

The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) and the Joint Institute of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN) announce the availability of the recordings from the 2-day Food and Nutrition Webinar held March 5-6, 2012. See CFSAN/JIFSAN Food and Nutrition Webinar for more information on the webinar and access to the recordings. The Webinar was designed for dietetic interns, students and faculty in dietetics and nutrition, and practicing dietitians and nutritionists. The purpose of the Webinar was to communicate FDA’s nutrition and regulatory activities that are relevant to the practice of dietetics and nutrition.

Read more about this Constituent Update:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm303343.htm

New FSIS Podcasts

Tune in to podcasts and listen to food safety specialists providing consumers with advice and up to date information on how to prevent foodborne illness through the safe handling, preparation and storage of meat, poultry, and processed egg products. FSIS has released the following new podcast:

• Food Safety At Home podcasts:
  • Food Safety Reminders for Summer (English & Spanish) – May 23, 2012
  • Cutting Boards and Food Safety (Spanish) – May 17, 2012
  • Cooking Pork (ASL) – May 10, 2012

Check out these podcasts:        
ttp://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/Food_Safety_at_Home_Podcasts/ (English)                                           

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/En_Espanol/Podcasts_SP/index.asp  (Spanish)

Videos in American Sign Language:     
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/SignFSIS/index.asp

Visit FSIS’ Food Safety Channel on YouTube:                
http://www.youtube.com/user/USDAFoodSafety

For other food safety podcasts:         
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/Podcasts/index.asp

FDA to Convene a FSMA Public Meeting on International Capacity Building with Respect to Food Safety

The FDA has announced a Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Public Meeting on International Capacity Building with Respect to Food Safety. The meeting will be held on

June 19, 2012, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel, 480 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, DC. The purpose of the meeting is to provide interested persons an opportunity to discuss FDA’s comprehensive plan to expand the technical, scientific, and regulatory capacity of foreign governments and their respective food industries in countries that export foods to the United States (the “capacity-building plan”). FDA is developing this plan pursuant to FSMA.

Read more of this Constituent Update:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm304552.htm

Faces of Food Safety

Within the last year, FSIS launched Faces of Food Safety, an initiative that shares the stories of its dedicated workforce — inspectors, veterinarians, investigators, administrative assistants and scientists. "Faces of Food Safety" introduces you to the men and women who play a role in making our food safe.

• Meet Dr. Nancy Atkins: District Veterinary Medical Specialist Nancy Atkins makes sure that animals are handled and slaughtered in a humane way and that facilities follow Federal law.
• Meet: Olga Morales, FSIS' Office of Program Evaluation, Enforcement and Review, Morales manages cases involving violations of FSIS' statutes and regulations.

Read more about Dr. Nancy Atkins and Olga Morales:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/About_FSIS/Faces_Food_Safety/index.asp

Building International Capacity with Respect to Food Safety

About 48 million people (1 in 6 Americans) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die each year from foodborne diseases, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is a significant public health burden that is largely preventable. The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), signed into law by President Obama on January 4, 2011 enables FDA to better protect public health by strengthening the food safety system. It enables FDA to focus more on preventing food safety problems rather than relying primarily on reacting to problems after they occur. The law gives FDA important new tools to hold imported foods to the same standards as domestic foods. With these new tools, FDA can better ensure that imported products meet U.S. standards and are safe for U.S. consumers.

For additional information on capacity building, see:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FSMA/ucm301708.htm

FDA Facts: Food Safety Enforcement

For more than 100 years, the FDA has protected the health of Americans by helping to ensure the safety of the foods the Agency regulates. The U.S. food supply is one of the safest in the world. The FDA enforces laws passed by Congress and uses its regulatory authority to protect consumers from unsafe foods.  The Agency has a number of options, ranging from warning letters to criminal prosecution.  Its choice depends on the risk to public health and the actions taken by the regulated entity.

To read more about some of the tools used by the FDA to help keep food safe and an explanation of how and when they are used, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/NewsEvents/Newsroom/FactSheets/UCM304672.pdf

USDA Streamlining Meat and Poultry Labeling Approval Process

On May 21, 2012, FSIS launched a new web-based label approval system that will streamline the agency’s review process for meat, poultry, and egg product labels.

Read this news release:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_052112_01/index.asp

USDA Announces New Safeguards to Protect Consumers from Foodborne Illness

On May 2, 2012, USDA announced a series of prevention-based policy measures that will better protect consumers from foodborne illness in meat and poultry products. These measures will significantly improve the ability of both plants and USDA to trace contaminated food materials in the supply chain, to act against contaminated products sooner, and to establish the effectiveness of food safety systems.

Read this news release:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_050212_01/index.asp

FDA Progress Report on Implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act

The FDA provides regular updates to inform the public and Congress on its progress in implementing the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

Progress Report on implementing FSMA can be found at:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FSMA/ucm250568.htm

OIG: FSIS Appropriately Addresses Industry Appeals of Humane Handling Enforcement Actions

On May 1, 2012, USDA issued a news release announcing the Department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) had reported that FSIS appropriately handles industry appeals of its humane handling enforcement actions. An audit was performed at the request of the Office of Food Safety to ensure that FSIS was appropriately enforcing federal humane handling laws.

Read this news release:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_043012_01/index.asp

FDA Guidance for Industry: Bottled Water Quality Standard: Establishing an Allowable Level for di (2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP); Small Entity Compliance Guide

FDA has prepared this Small Entity Compliance Guide in accordance with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (Public Law 104-121). This guidance document restates in plain language the legal requirements set forth in 21 CFR part 129 and part 165 concerning the contaminant DEHP.  These regulations are binding and have the full force and effect of law.

To read more about this compliance guide, visit:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/SmallBusinessesSmallEntityComplianceGuides/ucm302164.htm

Updates on FSIS Testing for E. coli

FSIS’ weekly raw beef E. coli sampling program are posted to the FSIS website.

View comparative previous and current year results:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/Ground_Beef_E.coli_Testing_Results/index.asp

FSIS Policy Updates

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

• FSIS Notice 34-12: Responsibilities Related to Receiving Notice of Adulterated or Misbranded Product, and Verifying Written Recall Procedures and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Reassessment Documentation
• FSIS Notice 33-12:Conducting Weekly Meetings in Egg Products Plants
• FSIS Notice 32-12: Inspection Responsibilities When a Chemical Residue Does Not Have an Established Tolerance
• Docket No. FSIS 20121-0025: National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection; Nominations for Membership
• Docket No. FSIS-2012-0022: Notice of Request for a New Information Collection (Food Safety Education Campaign--Post-Wave Tracking Survey)
• Docket No. FSIS 2011-0009: Changes to FSIS Traceback, Recall Procedures for Escherichia coli O157:H7 Positive Raw Beef Product, and Availability of Compliance Guidelines
• Notice 29-12: FSIS Verification Testing for Non O157 Shiga Toxin Producing E. coli (Non O157 STEC) Under MT60, MT52 and MT53 Sampling Programs
• Notice 30-12:FSIS Verification Testing for Non O157 Shiga Toxin Producing E. coli (Non O157 STEC) in Imported Product Under the MT51 Sampling Program

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