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IN THE NEWS

THE HEALTHY GROWN LABEL: HEALTHY FOOD AND HEALTHY LAND

Check it out! Eco labeling is a new certification program similar to the organic label, but goes beyond the organic concept by reflecting new land management practices for the entire farm ecosystem, including non-crop lands. Developed in 2006 by a team of Wisconsin scientists, growers and environmentalists with funding from USDA CREES, the protocol for certification uses the "Healthy Grown" label to inform consumers that food has been grown following specific environmental standards and practices to ensure ecosystem health. Additionally, within the broader ecosystem, this program will increase the presence of beneficial insect species, alternative pest control practices and environment biodiversity. The article is available at http://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impact/2008/nri/06261_healthy_grown.html.

MEAT SAFETY: WASHING AWAY E. COLI O157:H7

Researchers with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have developed a successful hide washing system for beef cattle prior to slaughter. The process has decreased the incidence of pathogenic E. coli in ground beef by over 40% in those processing plants that have adopted the technology. The hide-washing system works by using a high-pressure-water wash to remove excess organic matter from the cattle's hides, then spray the hides with an antibacterial compound. The USDA estimates the beef industry is saving millions of dollars each year by having fewer positive samples and thus fewer products to discard. An article on the process is available at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/oct06/beef1006.htm.

BISPHENOL A AND PLASTICS:
THE CONTROVERSY OF SAFETY CONTINUES

When it comes to questions about the safety of plastic food and beverage containers, there is no easy answer. Questions about the safety of baby bottles, single-use water bottles, and reusable plastic containers are routinely posed to food safety educators. And that is understandable - these items are used by many consumers on a daily basis. It has been reported that bisphenol A, an industrial chemical used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics, was detected in the urine of over 92% of 2,517 study participants.

Fortunately, there are a number of good resources with information on this subject:

• The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health website provides answers to a number of frequently asked questions about bisphenol A and gives a good overview of the issue: http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/articles/2008/goldman_schwab_bpa.html.
• The National Toxicology Program (NTP) released a draft Brief on bisphenol A on April 15, 2008 and the full draft, as well as summaries of the conclusions, are available on The Nutrition Action website: http://www.cspinet.org/nah/bpa.html.

Source:

1. Calafat, A., X. Ye, L. Wong, J. Reidy, & L. Neeham. Exposure of the U.S. Population to Bisphenol A and 4-tertiary-Octylphenol: 2003-2004. En. Health Perspectives Vol. 116(1), Jan. 2008.

IRRADIATION APPROVED FOR ICEBERG LETTUCE AND FRESH SPINACH

On August 22, 2008, the FDA published a final rule allowing the use of irradiation of certain leafy greens. The specific foods affected by the final rule are loose, fresh iceberg lettuce, fresh spinach, and bagged iceberg lettuce and spinach. Irradiation is the process of treating products with a measure dose of radiation to kill pathogenic microbes such as Salmonella and E. coli. However, the impact of irradiation on quality, safety, and nutritional content of various food products continues to be a subject of debate.

Other foods currently approved for irradiation are red meat, spices, poultry and molluscan shellfish. The FDA requires that foods that have been irradiated bear the "radura" logo along with the statement "treated with radiation" or "treated by irradiation." Information on final rule is available at www.fda.gov/consumer.

NEW USDA LISTINGS ON RECALLED PRODUCTS

ntil now, consumers had no way to know if meat and poultry products in their home could be those linked to products recalled from the supermarkets. As of this August, the USDA has begun listing retail stores that receive meat and poultry products involved in Class 1 recalls, those which pose the greatest threat to public health, on their website. Knowing the identity and location of retail stores linked to recalled products can help consumers know if they need to be on the lookout for recalled meat and poultry from their local store. Compiled by FSIS personnel, postings to the FSIS website are shared with state and local public health officials where the retail stores are located. This will improve consumers' ability to identify and discard or return the products they may have purchased by checking the list of stores and locations. To reach the site, go to http://www.fsis.usda.gov.

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