FSnet March 5/07
Retailers might be named in food
recalls
No E. coli cases reported from
potentially tainted beef
Toxin in food linked to banquet
poisoning
City shuts renowned pizzeria
All but one of city's soft-serve ice
cream machines that failed
inspection passed a retest
Is anything really safe from food-borne
illness?
Inspectors spread thin
Don't close FDA lab
Food inspection policy welcome
Food hygiene at House of Commons
'appalling'
Rotten rat found in 'horror' takeaway
Restaurant inspections
Uniform dates for food labeling
regulations
Retailers might be named in food
recalls
05.mar.07
Detroit Free Press
Julie Schmit, USA Today
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070305/
BUSINESS07/703050338/1002/BUSINESS When food is recalled, U.S. consumers get a
lot of information to help them learn whether they have the potentially
dangerous product. They're told the product name, how it's packaged, if it has
an identifying code and the states or regions in which it was sold. They may
even see a product photo. What they usually aren't told, according to this
story, is where it was sold.
That's because the business ties
between food manufacturers and their retail customers have been considered
confidential business information. As such, retailer names aren't typically
released unless a recall involves a store brand, such as Wal-Mart's Great Value
peanut butter.
The story says that may soon change,
given a new law in California and a national proposal that reflects new thinking
on the part of meat and poultry regulators but is staunchly opposed by meat
processors and food retailers.
The California law, effective July 1,
will authorize health officials in that state to inform consumers which
retailers sold meat and poultry covered by the most serious recalls. The
national proposal comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which wants to
post retailer names and store locations on its Web site for all meat and poultry
recalls. The agency expects to finalize its plans by year's end. If it follows
through, it will break ranks with the Food and Drug Administration, which
oversees other food recalls. The FDA has no plans to release retailer names, as
it considers them confidential, spokesman Michael Herndon said.
No E. coli cases reported from
potentially tainted beef
05.mar.07
The Oregonian
Holley Gilbert
http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2007/03/
no_e_coli_cases_reported_from.html No cases of E. coli poisoning have, according
to this story, been reported in connection with a recall by a Washington company
of 16,743 pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with the potentially
deadly bacteria.
Dr. Alan Melnick, public health officer
for Clark County, was cited as saying an epidemiology report he received online
from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said no human cases
of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported since Friday's recall by Tyson Fresh Meats
of Wallula.
Toxin in food linked to banquet
poisoning
05.mar.07
Shanghai Daily
Gu Jia
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=307947&type=National
The Xinhua news agency was cited as reporting that experts in Yunnan Province
have linked a blood-poisoning bacterium with the massive food poisoning at a
wedding banquet. The story says that the 371 villagers in Linxiang District of
Lincang City in the province soon fell ill after a banquet on Thursday, with
symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. Zheng Wenkang, director with the Yunnan
Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, was cited as saying that
some of the banquet dishes were contaminated with staphylococcus aureus, a
bacterium that may produce enterotoxin, which will lead to acute
gastroenteritis, adding, "A duck dish was contaminated by the bacteria due
to unqualified storage, cooking process and transport."
City shuts renowned pizzeria
05.mar.07
New York Post
Tom Liddy and Eric Lenkowitz
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03052007/news/regionalnews/
city_shuts_renowned_pizzeria_regionalnews_tom_liddy_and_eric_lenkowitz .htm
Robert Vittoria, owner of John's of Bleecker Street - a Greenwich Village
landmark for 78 years - was cited as saying the pizzeria was closed during its
dinner rush for a series of "minor" health code violations, adding,
"We really got hammered. [The Health Department] really, really gave us a
bummer of a write-up." Vittoria was further cited as saying that the
restaurant was shut down last Thursday at 8 p.m. after a city inspector cited
such infractions as its sink being too far from the pizza maker, improper lids
on garbage cans, and small holes in the floor, adding, "Is that right to
close down a business for that? A $200 or $300 job? I wouldn't have done
that."
The Health Department was quoted as
saying, "restaurants that have egregious violations, especially ones that
cannot be corrected on the spot, will be closed until we can ensure that food is
safe."
All but one of city's soft-serve ice
cream machines that failed
inspection passed a retest
05.mar.07
The Racine Report (WI)
Brent Killackey
RACINE -- City records were cited as
saying that soft-serve ice cream machines at 15 of 22 Racine food service
establishments failed Health Department standards in summer 2006 testing. The
failures come at places that range from St. Mary’s Medical Center cafeteria
and Sam’s Club to Chick-Fil-A and New Buffet. All of the machines were
required to be cleaned and re-tested — and all but one eventually met the
testing requirements for coliform and general bacteria levels.
The story says that some machines
required multiple retests before getting the green light to return to
operations. In the one case where the machine couldn’t pass muster after
repeated tests — a vanilla soft-serve machine at New Buffet, 2409 S. Green Bay
Road —the machine was removed, according to Health Department records. Each
soft-serve machine is tested for coliform bacteria, which can include the E-coli
bacteria which can make people sick, and for something called colony forming
units or CFUs.
Is anything really safe from food-borne
illness?
05.mar.07
Times-News (ID)
Steve Crump
http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2007/03/05/features/image/
107524.txt TWIN FALLS -- Scott Martin, professor of food microbiology at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, was quoted as saying in this story
that, "Ninety percent of sparrows carry salmonella. If a sparrow defecates
when it's flying over a field, you're potentially at risk of salmonella if you
eat something grown in that field." Tom Shanahan, spokesman for the Idaho
Department of Health and Welfare, was quoted as saying, "(Food-borne
illnesses from) spinach, peanut butter and strawberries - none have been
prevented by the consumer. They were contaminated before they reached the
consumer. There is public sentiment building that we need better national food
oversight to ensure food safety." Cheryl Becker, epidemiologist with the
Twin Falls-based South Central District Health, was cited as saying that in
south-central Idaho, food poisoning rarely comes from unusual sources and as
elsewhere in Idaho and the U.S., many cases are traced to food handlers who
don't properly wash their hands after using the restroom, to improperly cooked
food, or to cross-contamination, adding, "The best way to prevent it is
still good food-handling practices."
The story adds that public-health
workers preach the importance of washing raw produce before it's eaten, but
Martin was cited as saying that may not help much, adding, "Washing will
cut down the number of E.coli (bacteria), but it won't eliminate them. The
microbes attach to the surface of produce in a sticky biofilm, and washing just
isn't very effective. Another problem with this pathogen is that it has a very
low infective dose. It only takes between 10 and 100 cells to cause an
infection, so it's impossible to achieve a safe level of the pathogen once it
gets on the product. At this point, we need to concentrate on avoiding a crop's
exposure to the pathogen as the produce is being grown."
Inspectors spread thin
05.mar.07
Philadelphia Inquirer (PA)
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/16835825.htm According to this editorial, if
a prepackaged ham-and-cheese sandwich is open-faced - on one slice of bread -
the U.S. Department of Agriculture inspects its manufacturer daily. If it's the
usual two-slice variety, look for the Food and Drug Administration stamp of
approval - once every five years. The editorial says that this irrational
approach typifies the federal government's fragmented, wasteful food safety
regimen. Last month, the Government Accountability Office faulted the system for
inconsistent oversight, ineffective coordination, and inefficient use of
resources.
The editorial goes on to say that
Congress should eliminate the gaps and overlaps in food oversight by empowering
one agency to do the job, instead of spreading it among 15. It should simplify
the confusing buffet of the 30 laws that govern inspection. Most important,
government needs authority to compel recalls, which are now only voluntary, and
to penalize companies that contaminate products.
The editorial concludes that anybody
who thinks a poor food inspection system helps the $1 trillion-a-year American
agriculture sector just isn't thinking clearly.
Don't close FDA lab
05.mar.07
Philadelphia Inquirer (PA)
Paul C. DeLeo, Franklin Twp., Chester
County writes that he was perplexed by "Food worries rise as inspections
fall," Feb. 27. The Inquirer article, which said the Food and Drug
Administration has reduced the number of food safety inspections by nearly 50
percent over the last three years, coincided with an announcement by the agency
that it planned to close seven of its 13 field labs, including one in
Philadelphia. Apparently, the American public is not getting its Recommended
Daily Allowance of E. coli and salmonella. More troubling to those of us who
live in the Delaware Valley, the FDA lab in Philadelphia will be closed. This
lab has pharmaceutical testing expertise integral to the international
competitiveness of one our biggest industries. If the leaders at FDA are
permitted to continue with their shortsighted ways, the American public will see
reduced safety of its food, drugs and medical devices, and the drug industry
will lose a resource that helps support the profits and jobs that fuel our
region's economy.
Food inspection policy welcome
05.mar.07
Lafayette Journal & Courier (IL)
According to this editorial, foodborne
illnesses are a cause for concern but the food supply has never been safer.
Government officials have worked for decades to reduce the number of food-borne
illnesses. The Agriculture Department has announced that meat and poultry plants
could expect to see more inspections beginning in April.
The editorial says that we should not
be afraid to purchase spinach, peanut butter or any other food, providing we
avoid those lots that are contaminated.
Food hygiene at House of Commons
'appalling'
05.mar.07
Daily Mail (UK)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?
in_article_id=440118&in_page_id=1770 Ministers, MPs and thousands of
visitors to the House of Commons were, according to this story, exposed to a
high risk of food poisoning because of the poor state of Parliament's kitchens.
The story says that an inspector from Westminster council spent three days
examining all 13 restaurants at the Commons in daily use by MPs, Cabinet
ministers, researchers, journalists and secretaries and uncovered a series of
failings, ranging from mouse infestations to filthy door handles in staff
lavatories.
The story says that the kitchens employ
70 chefs and serve 8,000 meals a day. Among failings uncovered by the inspector
were:
Packs of sausages and bacon placed on
top of butter in a coolroom. Mayonnaise stored in a coolroom at 11C, three
degrees higher than the maximum temperature allowed.
Stuffed duck and turkey being cooked at
50C when a minimum of 75C is needed to kill dangerous bugs. The inspector was so
alarmed that he ordered chefs to stop cooking immediately. Temperatures of 11C
in the fridges at the Terrace café by the Thames. Dirty handles on the doors of
the staff lavatories at the café at Portcullis House.
Ready-to-eat-food such as sandwiches
being sold four days after they were made, which was "too long", said
the inspector. "Mice activity" seen in a cleaners' cupboard at the
Jubilee cafe, used by staff and visitors.
The inspector also criticised catering
staff 's basic knowledge of food safety rules and recommended a review of
training "as staff are not aware of safe cooking temperatures". Food
technologist James Davidson was quoted as saying, "I wouldn't eat there. If
you take the sausages, for example, a bacteria such as salmonella could be
transferred from the butter into something that is not going to be cooked, such
as a sandwich. The duck and turkey is even worse. You have to cook it to more
than 74C to kill off the bacteria - 50C will kill nothing; you are practically
serving it raw and could certainly poison people. There is a basic lack of food
safety knowledge, particularly cooking of meat, that is very, very
worrying."
Rotten rat found in 'horror' takeaway
05.mar.07
This is Hertfordshire (UK)
Helen Husbands
http://www.thisishertfordshire.co.uk/mostpopular.var.
1232707.mostviewed.rotten_rat_found_in_horror_takeaway.php The owners of a fast
food takeway where a dead rat was found rotting in a storeroom have, according
to this story, narrowly escaped jail.
Brothers Tosif and Imran Khan committed
a catalogue of food hygiene and safety offences at Kebabish Original in Upper
Tooting Road. Their kitchen was described as filthy by food safety inspectors
from Wandsworth Council's environmental services department who made an
unannounced spot check at the takeaway in August 2005.
Restaurant inspections
05.mar.07
News-Leader.com (MO)
http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007703050312 Aramark c/o
United Health Center, 1930 W. Bennett St., Feb. 22 reinspection. Critical
violations found: 0. Noncritical violations found: 0.
Braum's, 1401 W. Sunshine St., Feb. 20
reinspection. Critical violations found: 0. Noncritical violations found: 0.
uFIRST: United First Financial Captain D's, 839 N. Glenstone Ave., Feb. 21
inspection. Critical violations found: 2. Refrigerator was not maintaining
proper temperature. Inside of microwave oven was not clean. Noncritical
violations found: 7.
Cici's Pizza, 2656 N. Kansas
Expressway, Feb. 21 inspection.
Critical violations found: 3. No
documentation of time in place. Sanitizer in wiping cloth buckets too strong.
Ice machine shield has slime mold on back side of the shield and food storage
containers not clean on clean storage rack. Noncritical violations found: 0.
Dippin' Dots, 2825 S. Glenstone Ave.,
Feb. 20 inspection. Critical violations found: 0. Noncritical violations found:
2. Downtown Market Deli, 707 S. Campbell Ave. Feb. 20 reinspection.
Critical violations found: 0.
Noncritical violations found: 0. ExpressLane Deli, 1821 W. Grand St., Feb. 20
inspection. Critical violations found: 0. Noncritical violations found: 2. Fuji
Japanese Seafood and Steakhouse, 2909 S. Campbell Ave., Feb. 22 inspection.
Critical violations found: 1. No consumer advisory on sushi menu. Noncritical
violations found: 4. Great American Cookie Company kiosk, 2825 S. Glenstone
Ave., Feb. 20 inspection. Critical violations found: 1. One blender contained
food residue. Noncritical violations found: 3.
Hardee's, 2260 N. Glenstone Ave., Feb.
20 inspection. Critical violations found: 2. Commercially packaged chili was too
cold after reheating. Spray bottles of stainless steel cleaner and heavy duty
cleaner were beside boxes of disposable gloves and sandwich wrappers.
Noncritical violations found: 2. Feb. 22 reinspection. Critical violations
found: 0. Noncritical violations found: 1.
La Hacienda, 4249 W. Chestnut
Expressway, Feb. 21 inspection. Critical violations found: 4. Employee in
kitchen could not demonstrate knowledge of food safety. Overflowing pan of raw
chicken on shelf above case of bagged lettuce — spill evident on box. Fajita
chicken and beef too cold. Potentially hazardous foods not marked with
expiration date. Noncritical violations found: 6. Lamplighter Inn North, 2820 N.
Glenstone Ave., Feb. 22 inspection.
Critical violations found: 0.
Noncritical violations found: 5.
Marco's Pizzeria, 301 W. Park Central
West, Feb. 16 inspection.
Critical violations found: 0.
Noncritical violations found: 2. Nicole's Fresh Food Company, 1720 W. Grand St.,
Feb. 20 reinspection. Critical violations found: 0. Noncritical violations
found: 0.
Panera Bread, 3837 S. Campbell Ave.,
Feb. 16 inspection. Critical violations found: 1. Dish machine was not
sanitizing effectively. Noncritical violations found: 2.
Price Cutter Bakery, 2900 E. Sunshine
St., Feb. 21 inspection.
Critical violations found: 0.
Noncritical violations found: 1.
Price Cutter Deli, 2900 E. Sunshine
St., Feb. 21 inspection.
Critical violations found: 0.
Noncritical violations found: 2.
Price Cutter Seafood, 1720 W. Grand
St., Feb. 20 inspection.
Critical violations found: 0.
Noncritical violations found: 0. Rum Runners, 2826 E. Division St., Feb. 20
reinspection. Critical violations found: 0. Noncritical violations found: 2.
Springfield Catholic High School, 2340 S. Eastgate Ave., Feb. 22 inspection.
Critical violations found: 0. Noncritical violations found: 1.
Subway-TCBY, 3860 W. Chestnut
Expressway, Feb. 21 reinspection. Critical violations found: 1. Loose mouse
poison out on floor under shelving unit. Noncritical violations found: 0. Tasia,
4728 S. Campbell Ave., Feb. 21 inspection. Critical violations found: 0.
Noncritical violations found: 2. Townhouse II, 528 N. Prince Lane, Feb. 16
reinspection. Critical violations found: 0. Noncritical violations found: 0. Umi
Japanese Restaurant, 3046 S. Kimbrough Ave. #100, Feb. 21 inspection. Critical
violations found: 0. Noncritical violations found: 1.
Uniform dates for food labeling
regulations
05.mar.07
Federal Register: (Volume 72, Number
42)
[DOCID:fr05mr07-1]
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection
Service, USDA.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection
Service (FSIS) is establishing January 1, 2010, as the uniform compliance date
for new food labeling regulations that are issued between January 1, 2007, and
December 31, 2008. FSIS periodically announces uniform compliance dates for new
meat and poultry food labeling requirements to minimize the economic impact of
label changes. On December 14, 2004, FSIS issued a final rule announcing that it
will adopt uniform compliance dates and established January 1, 2008, as the
uniform compliance date for food labeling regulations that issued between
January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2006. DATES:
Effective Date: This rule is effective
March 5, 2007. Submit comments by April 4, 2007.
ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested
persons to submit comments on this final rule. Comments may be submitted by any
of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: This Web
site provides the ability to type short comments directly into the comment field
on this Web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to http://
www.regulations.gov and, in the ``Search for Open Regulations'' box, select
``Food Safety and Inspection Service'' from the Agency drop-down menu, then
click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select the FDMS Docket Number
FSIS-2006-0045 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and
related materials available electronically. Mail, including floppy disks or
CD-ROM's, and hand- or courier-delivered items: Send to FSIS Docket Room, Docket
Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), FSIS, 300 12th Street, SW., Room
102, Cotton Annex Building, Washington, DC 20250. Electronic mail:
fsis.regulationscomments@fsis.usda.gov. All submissions received must include
the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2006-0045. All comments submitted in
response to this final rule, as well as research and background information used
by FSIS in developing this document, will be posted to the regulations.gov Web
site. The background information and comments will be available for public
inspection in the FSIS Docket Room at the address listed above between 8:30 a.m.
and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert C.
Post, Ph.D., Director, Labeling and Consumer Protection Staff, Office of Policy,
Program, and Employee Development, FSIS, USDA, Washington, DC 20250-3700,
Telephone (202) 205-0279, Fax (202) 205-3625.
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