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EdNetJuly 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 Areas Affected by Tropical Storm ArthurOn July 2, 2014, FSIS issued food safety recommendations for the Mid-Atlantic states potentially affected by severe weather conditions related to Tropical Storm Arthur. Read this news release: Resources for EducatorsUSDA Secretary Announces Creation of Foundation for Food and Agricultural ResearchOn July 23, 2014, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the creation of the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR) and the appointment of a 15-member board of directors. The new foundation will leverage public and private resources to increase the scientific and technological research, innovation, and partnerships critical to boosting America's agricultural economy. Read this news release: http://www.usda.gov/2014/07/0156.xml Blog by: Michael R. Taylor, J.D., Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine, FDA, Regarding, A Milestone in our Partnership with Mexico on Food SafetyMichael R. Taylor blogs about signing a statement of intent to establish a new produce safety partnership with Mexico. This blog can be accessed in its entirety at: http://blogs.fda.gov/fdavoice/index.php/2014/07/ Historic Farm Bill Funding Available to Organic Producers and HandlersOn July 17, 2014, the USDA announced that approximately $13 million in Farm Bill funding is now available for organic certification cost-share assistance, making certification more accessible than ever for small certified producers and handlers. Read this news release: http://www.usda.gov/2014/07/0149.xml USDA Blog: Another Step Forward in Food Safety – What You Need to Know About Grinding LogsFSIS is proposing a requirement for official establishments and retail stores that grind raw beef products to keep detailed and in-depth log record systems. Read this blog: U.S. Organic Industry Praises U.S.-Korea Partnership in Organic TradeOn July 2, 2014, the USDA announced that the US and the Republic of Korea formed a partnership that will recognize the two countries' organic programs as equivalent for processed organic products and streamline access to each other's markets. According to U.S. industry estimates, the United States exported approximately $35 million of processed organic products to Korea in 2013. Read this news release: http://www.usda.gov/2014/07/0141.xml Did you know FDA regulates packaged ice?Packaged ice is an easy way to keep foods cold while entertaining outdoors. To learn more about how FDA regulates packaged ice, go to: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/BuyStoreServeSafeFood/ucm197586.htm USDA Blog: Respect the Grill FlamesJust before the July 4th Holiday, FSIS issued a blog titled Respect the Grill Flames. Read the entire blog: http://blogs.usda.gov/2014/07/03/respect-the-grill-flames/ July is National Picnic MonthDuring the warm weather months follow these important tips to ensure that your food reaches the table safely. To read the tips, go to: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/BuyStoreServeSafeFood/ucm109899.htm The Food Safety Discovery Zone!The USDA’s Food Safety Discovery Zone (FSDZ) is back on the road! The FSDZ was in Lowell, MA, on July 25-27, 2014, at the Lowell Folk Festival. The 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: Agricultural Research Magazine, July 2014, Vol. 62, No. 6The July 2014 issue of the Agricultural Research Magazine from USDA's Agricultural Research Service is now available. View online: Meetings, Conferences, and WorkshopsUSDA Seeking NACMPI NominationsUSDA is seeking applications and nominations for membership to the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection. Membership is encouraged for individuals with knowledge and interest in meat, poultry and processed egg product safety and other FSIS responsibilities. Persons from industry; state and federal government; public health, scientific and academic communities; and consumers and consumer organizations, as well as all other interested persons, are invited to submit nominations. For additional information, contact Program Specialist Jane Johnson at 202-690-1277 or Jane.johnson@fsis.usda.gov.
To read the Federal Register notice, go to: FSIS Public Meetings and EventsUpcoming meetings related to Codex Alimentarius have been scheduled. Meetings held In Washington, DC are as follows: > August 12, 2014: Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables > September 23, 2014: Codex Committee on Food Labeling > September 25, 2014: Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection Systems > October 23, 2014: Codex Committee on Food Hygiene Meetings held in Maryland: > October 28, 2014: Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Use
View upcoming meetings and associated meeting materials listed by date on FSIS’ Public Meeting and Events website at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/meetings
2014 Meat, Poultry Inspection Seminar for International Government Officials
FSIS is pleased to announce the 2014 Meat and Poultry Inspection Seminar for International Government Officials. This seminar is scheduled for September 15 to September 26, 2014, and will be held in a training facility in Washington, DC. The location will be announced on a later date.
For updates and more information, visit: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/meetings
IndustryUSDA Proposes Rule to Enhance Consumer Protection; Ensure Retailers Can Track Sources of Ground MeatsOn July 16, 2014, FSIS issued a news release announcing it is proposing to require that all makers of raw ground beef products keep records in order to further protect consumers by ensuring retailers can trace sources of ground meats. Read this news release: FDA Posts Updated Results for its Total Diet StudyFDA announced the availability of updated data for its Total Diet Study (TDS), an ongoing program that measures levels of certain chemical contaminants and nutrients in foods. The newly available data provide findings from foods collected from 2006 to 2011. The FDA uses the data to analyze for trends to better understand if changes over time are significant. For more information on the TDS program, go to: http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm404465.htm FDA Announces Guide to Help Small Businesses Comply with Gluten-Free Labeling RequirementsFDA issued the Small Entity Compliance Guide to help small food businesses comply with new federal requirements for the voluntary use of the term gluten-free on food products. The guide covers the key requirements of the regulation. Starting August 5, 2014, the compliance date of the rule, all FDA-regulated food products labeled on or after that date and bearing the gluten-free claim must comply with the rule’s requirements. For additional information, go to: http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm402573.htm 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/ednetjuly2014.html Source Agency: Health and Human Services (HHS) Captured Date: 2014-12-11 03:50:44.0
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