Colorado State University Extension
SafeFood Rapid Response Network
Go to Table of Contents for this issue
IN THE NEWS
Edited by: Mary Schroeder, M.S., R.D. & Pat Kendall, Ph.D., R.D., Colorado State - Summer 2004
FDA and USDA Announce New Actions to Prevent BSE
On July 9, 2004, HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson and Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced three actions being taken to further strengthen existing safeguards that protect consumers against the agent that causes bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as "mad cow disease." The three actions are:
- An interim final FDA rule that prohibits the use of certain cattle-derived materials (which may contain BSE agents) in food, dietary supplements, and cosmetics. The rule is immediately effective, but FDA will accept comments for 90 days. The BSE interim final rule is online at: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fr04714a.html.
- A proposed FDA rule on recordkeeping requirements for the interim final rule, requiring manufacturers and processors of human food, dietary supplements, and cosmetics that are manufactured from, processed with, or otherwise contain material from cattle to establish and maintain records. FDA will accept comments on this proposed rule for 30 days. The BSE Recordkeeping Proposed Rule is online at: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fr04714b.html
- A joint USDA-FSIS, USDA-APHIS and FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) notice asking for public comments and scientific information on additional measures to help prevent the spread of BSE.
The complete press release announcing these measures is on FDA's Web site at www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/hhsbse4.html.
Source:
USDA Food Safety Inspection Service News Release. USDA and HHS Strengthen Safeguards Against Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy. July 9, 2004. www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2004/NEW01084.html
From the Rocky Mountain Food Safety Conference
The new visitor center at Red Rocks amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, provided a beautiful setting for this year's annual event held in May. Attendees received updates on many interesting and pertinent topics during the two day event.
Presentations included a panel discussion on food safety during a black-out, a successful food safety training program for Spanish-speaking audiences, Campylobacter research, and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) to mention a few. Attendees were informed that the Division of Human Resource Development at FDA now offers free on-line continuing education programs to state and local environmental health regulators. More information regarding its certification programs and courses is available at www.EduNeering.com.
Anyone not familiar with the National Sanitation Foundation International (NSF) was surprised to learn the valuable services offered by this not-for-profit, non-governmental organization. The NSF is known best for their product certification programs, and helps protect consumers through testing and certification of food, water, indoor air, and environmental products worldwide. Its consumer website offers educational resources such as food safety tips at www.nsf.org.
Many of us landlubbers were pleased to learn the rules and regulations governing interstate commerce for shellfish, as well as how to safely receive, store and display shellfish in retail establishments. The New Mexico Department of Environmental Health has compiled an educational packet complete with CD-ROM, which can be obtained free of charge by contacting Johnathan Gerhardt at johnathan_gerhardt@nmenv.state.nm.us.
