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EdnetAPRIL 2014EdNet, 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, contact the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN-FDA) 
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In this issue: Advisories, Alerts, and Warnings
Resources for Educators
Meetings, Conferences, and Workshops
Industry
Advisories, Alerts, and WarningsUSDA Food Safety Tips for Florida Panhandle and Coastal Alabama Residents Affected by FloodingOn April 30, 2014, FSIS issued food safety recommendations for the eastern seaboard affected by a massive storm system that dropped upwards of 10 inches of rain on the region. Read this news release: USDA Food Safety Tips for States in the South and Midwest Affected by Severe StormsOn April 28, 2014, FSIS issued a news release with food safety recommendations for states affected by a powerful storm system that moved through the South and Midwest on Sunday, spawning several tornadoes in Arkansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri. Read this news release: Resources for EducatorsUSDA Announces Additional Support for Small and Midsized Farmers and RanchersOn April 29, 2014, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced additional support and resources for America's small and midsized farmers and ranchers. Read this news release: What Kind of Fish Is That?Using some of the technology used in mapping the human genome, FDA scientists are working to create DNA barcodes for fish. The high-tech effort is aimed to prevent fraud, including the substitution of a cheap fish for an expensive one, and preventing illness. To view this consumer update in its entirety, go to: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/UCM392087.pdf Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Announces New Report on Scientific Breakthroughs from USDA in 2013On April 23, 2014, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new report on scientific breakthroughs discovered by USDA researchers that led to new patents and inventions with the potential for commercial application and potential economic growth. Read this news release: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Announces Additional USDA Actions to Combat Spread of Diseases Among U.S. Pork ProducersOn April 18, 2014, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that in an effort to further enhance the biosecurity and health of the US swine herd while maintaining movement of pigs in the US, the USDA will require reporting of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDv) and Swine Delta Coronavirus in order to slow the spread of this disease across the United States. Read this news release: USDA Awards Grants for Nutrition Education Programs in Tribal CommunitiesOn April 15, 2014, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden announced that the USDA has awarded over $700,000 in grants to support nutrition education programs for participants of USDA's Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. Read this news release: April is National Minority Health MonthCFSAN offers publications in several foreign languages to raise awareness about health disparities that continue to affect racial and ethnic minorities. To view these publications, go to: http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/OtherLanguages/default.htm April 7-13 was National Public Health WeekFind out what you should know about government response to foodborne illness outbreaks. To learn more, go to: April is National Cancer Control MonthFDA provides practical guidance on how those diagnosed with cancer can reduce risk of foodborne illness. USDA Food Safety BlogsUSDA has issued the following Blogs as related to Food Safety:
Read the latest USDA Food Safety blogs by visiting: http://blogs.usda.gov/category/food-safety/ CDC’s New Environmental Health Tools to Improve Food SafetyFoodborne illness is a significant problem in the United States, but addressing environmental causes can help prevent it. Explore CDC’s new environmental health tools:
Read more about CDC’s New Environmental Health tools and availability, at: The USDA’s Food Safety Discovery Zone!The USDA’s Food Safety Discovery Zone (FSDZ) is back on the road! Its first event was at the USA Science and Engineering Festival on April 25-27, 2014, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. The FSIS FSDZ is a 40-foot interactive vehicle that educates consumers about the four food safety messages – Clean, Cook, Separate and Chill — from the Food Safe Families campaign. Some of the features in the vehicle include a Hand Washing Station where visitors can learn the proper techniques to washing hands and the Microscope Station that magnifies harmful bacteria.
Watch for announcements of upcoming events. For dates, times and more information, go to: Amber Waves Magazine – March-April 2014Amber Waves presents the broad scope of USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) research and analysis on the economics of food, farming, natural resources, and rural America. Read the latest March-April articles of the Amber Waves Magazine from the ERS online: Meetings, Conferences, and WorkshopsTranscript Is Now Available From FSMA Public MeetingThe following transcript is available: March 13, 2014: Proposed Rule on Focused Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration and Proposed Rule on Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food - Anaheim, CA. Transcript can be found at: Together: A Food Safe America: the 2014 Consumer Food Safety Education ConferenceTogether: A Food Safe America, the 2014 Consumer Food Safety Education Conference, will bring together food safety educators from all sectors and all levels to share strategies and tactics that promote more effective consumer food safety behaviors. The Conference Planning Committee invites you to apply to be a breakout or panel session presenter or a poster presenter at the conference. Don’t miss this chance to share your expertise and inspire an audience of nearly 500 educators and researchers to make changes that benefit the health of consumers. The deadline for submissions is June 10, 2014. To get started, visit: IndustryFSIS to Launch International Trade Data System PilotOn April 27, 2014, FSIS will begin a pilot of Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Partner Government Agency (PGA) Message Set, which will allow a harmonized set of entry data that FSIS will collect electronically. To read the executive order, visit: FDA Finalizes Rule Prohibiting Certain Nutrient Content Claims for DHA, EPA, and ALA Omega-3 Fatty AcidsFDA published a final rule prohibiting certain nutrient content claims for foods that contain the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). This rule finalizes a proposed rule the agency published in 2007 without any substantive changes. Additional information regarding this final rule is available at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm394855.htm FDA Releases Searchable Database - Food Code Reference SystemFDA has created the Food Code Reference System as part of an effort to promote consistent understanding and application of FDA’s Food Code. The food code assists food control jurisdictions at all levels of government by providing them with a scientifically sound technical and legal basis for regulating the retail and food service segment of the industry. The new Food Code Reference System is a searchable database that answers questions users may have about the Food Code and the application of its model regulations. Additional information on FDA’s Food Code Reference System is available at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm394144.htm FSIS: Notice of Availability and Guidance Document on AllergensOn April 21, 2014, FSIS posted new guidelines on allergens and other ingredients of public health concern. To view, visit FSIS at: FSIS also published a Federal Register Notice announcing the availability of the guidelines at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulations/federal-register/federal-register-notices FSIS Best Practices Guidance for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in Retail Delicatessens Now PostedOn April 21, 2014, FSIS posted new guidance for controlling Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in retail delicatessens (delis), and also published a Federal Register Notice (76 FR 22082) announcing the availability of the guidance. Visit FSIS’ website at: FSIS Responds to Comments Received on the Federal Register Notice, HACCP Plan Reassessment for Not-Ready-to-Eat Comminuted Poultry Products and Related Agency Verification ProceduresOn April 21, 2014, FSIS published a Federal Register Notice responding to comments received on HACCP Plan Reassessment for Not-Ready-to-Eat (NRTE) Comminuted Poultry Products and Related Agency Verification Procedures, a Federal Register Notice the Agency had published on Both Federal Register Notices are available on FSIS’ website, respectively at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Frame/FrameRedirect.asp?main=http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/2012-0007.htm FDA Issues Final Guidance on Ackee ProductsFDA announced the availability of a final Compliance Policy Guide that provides guidance for FDA staff on FDA’s enforcement criteria for canned ackee, frozen ackee, and other ackee products that contain the toxin hypoglycin A. For more detailed information about this final guidance, go to: http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm393073.htm FDA Allows Ionizing Radiation to Control Foodborne Pathogens in CrustaceansFDA amended current food additive regulations to allow the safe use of ionizing radiation on crustaceans (e.g., crab, shrimp, lobster, crayfish, and prawns) to control foodborne pathogens and extend the shelf life. This rule covers raw, frozen, cooked, partially cooked, shelled, or dried crustaceans, or cooked, or ready-to-cook, crustaceans processed with spices or small amounts of other food ingredients. For more detailed information about this rule, go to: http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm392860.htm FDA Issues Draft Guidance Intended to Help Ensure the Proper Labeling of Honey and Honey ProductsFDA issued draft guidance to help members of the food industry ensure they are properly labeling honey and honey products, and to remind them that honey and honey products must not be misbranded or adulterated under the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. All interested parties are invited to comment on the draft guidance document. For additional information about the draft guidance and how to comment, go to: http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm392193.htm FDA Issues Final Rule on Record Access Requirements and Announces Guidance for IndustryFDA issued a final rule that affirms the interim final rule’s change to its regulations on record-keeping to be consistent with the expansion of FDA’s access to records as required by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). In addition, the guidance documents FDA Records Access Authority under Sections 414 and 704 of the Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act, which updates with minor changes the draft guidance issued on February 23, 2012 and Why You Need to Know About Establishment, Maintenance, and Availability of Records—Small Entity Compliance Guide, which updates the small entity compliance guide issued in December 2004 are available and comments are being accepted. For more detailed information about the documents, go to: http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm391455.htm FDA Announces Availability of Draft Guidance on Prior Notice of Imported FoodsFDA announced the availability of a draft guidance entitled Guidance for Industry: Prior Notice of Imported Food Questions and Answers (Edition 3). The draft guidance addresses questions received since the publication of the second edition of the guidance in May 2004 and includes information related to the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which requires that additional information be provided in a prior notice of imported food submitted to FDA. For additional information regarding this draft guidance, go to: http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm390730.htm FSIS Proposed Rule: Change in Accredited Laboratory FeesOn April 21, 2014, FSIS proposed to amend its regulations to change the fees it charges for the accreditation and the maintenance of accreditation of non-Federal laboratories for the FSIS Accredited Lab Program (ALP). The proposed rule is posted on the FSIS’ website at: Indiana Creating New Opportunity for Small Meat ProcessorsOn April 8, 2014, FSIS announced that Indiana has become the latest among a handful of states taking action to help provide new opportunities for small businesses processing meat. Read this news release: About FSISFSIS is the public health agency within the USDA responsible for ensuring that the nation’s commercial supply of meat, poultry and processed egg products is safe, wholesome and correctly labeled and packaged. Numerous offices make up the agency, each playing a key role in protecting America’s food supply. To learn more, visit: Agency leadership information can be found at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/informational/aboutfsis/agency-leadership Get Answers at AskFSISAskFSIS 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. To view recently posted topics, visit: FSIS Policy UpdatesFSIS issues Notices and Directives to protect public health. The following policy updates were recently issued:
All Notices and Directives are available at: Syndicated Content Details:
Source URL: http://www.foodsafety.gov/news/educators/ednetapril2014.html Source Agency: Health and Human Services (HHS) Captured Date: 2014-12-11 03:50:43.0
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