| Food Safety News - Iowa State University Extension Updated : Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:46:49 CST Agriculture chief promises better food alerts to schools - (USA Today) WASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack pledged Tuesday that the government will do a better job alerting schools across the nation when it suspects that food for school lunches might be contaminated. "We understand and appreciate that there has been a … gap in communication, which results in school districts not getting information on a timely basis," Vilsack told lawmakers during a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on child nutrition programs. Vilsack's comments came during questioning by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., who asked about a USA TODAY investigation published Tuesday. The newspaper reported that schools know almost nothing about where the food they serve comes from, even when government regulators are aware it may be contaminated. For the complete news item, please visit http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-11-17-school-lunches_N.htm?csp=34 Publ.Date : Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:46:00 CST Bacterial Dynamics in Model Cheese Systems, Aiming at Safety and Quality of Portuguese-Style Traditional Ewe's Cheeses - (Journal of Food Protection®, Volume 72, Number 11, November 2009 , pp. 2243-2251(9)) Abstract: An experiment using model ewe's milk cheeses was designed to characterize microbial interactions that arise in actual raw milk cheese environments. These model cheeses were manufactured according to Portuguese artisanal practices, except that the microbial load and biodiversity were fully controlled: single potential pathogens and spoilage bacteria, or a combination thereof, were combined at various initial inoculum levels in sterilized raw ewe's milk with several lactic acid bacteria (LAB) normally found in traditional cheeses. Viable microbial counts were monitored throughout a 60-day ripening period. Two alternative mathematical approaches were used to fit the experimental data generated in terms of population dynamics: percent of inhibition and D-values. These were able to explain the complex competitive interactions between the contaminant microorganisms and the LAB adventitious populations. In general, the tested LAB were less able to inhibit contaminants present in combination and in higher concentrations. Lactococcus lactis, with its strong acidifying potential, was the most effective factor in controlling the unwanted bacterial population, especially single Staphylococcus aureus. The two lactobacilli studied, especially Lactobacillus brevis, were shown to be less effective; Escherichia coli and Listeria innocua were the contaminants least inhibited by the LAB. Publ.Date : Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:35:00 CST Confusion about N-60 Testing - (The Meatingplace.com) In a recent letter to the Inspector General's Office at USDA, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn) asked for an investigation of the scientific merits and potential shortcomings of N-60 testing, the "protocol used by meat processors and USDA to verify ground beef is free from E. coli O157:H7". In the letter, she states that "To protect the public health, verification testing must be robust and ensure that adulterated product is not sold to the American consumers". She notes in the letter that the Fairbank Farms, the company linked to the recent E. coli O157:H7 outbreak and major ground beef recall employs a test and hold policy and tests finished ground beef every 10-20 minutes and that these procedures which are likely more frequent than the industry average failed to prevent contamination. She goes on to specifically ask about statistical validity, procedures for sample collection and analysis and application of N-60 test results. For the complete blog post, please go to http://www.meatingplace.com/MembersOnly/blog/BlogDetail.aspx?topicID=5107&BlogID=11 Publ.Date : Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:22:00 CST Nebraska Firm Recalls Fresh Ground Beef Products Due To Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination - (USDA Food Safety & Inspection Service) WASHINGTON, November 17, 2009 - Fairbury Steaks, Inc. a Fairbury, Neb., establishment, is recalling approximately 90 pounds of fresh ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products subject to recall include: - 10-pound packages of "BULK FRESH GROUND BEEF." The packages were placed in boxes and bear the establishment number "EST. 5726" inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label. The products were produced on November 16, 2009, and were distributed to a restaurant in Ruskin, Neb. For the complete recall notice, please visit http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_063_2009_Release/index.asp Publ.Date : Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:12:00 CST Make Food Safety Part of Your Holiday Menu; Have a Safe, Successful Holiday Feast - (USDA Food Safety & Inspection Service) Nov. 17, 2009 - The Thanksgiving feast traditionally marks the beginning of the holiday season. This season, consumers can be thankful for many things including a new Web site, www.holidayfoodsafety.org, that puts food safety in the context of all the planning and preparation families put into their holiday celebration. The site includes food shopping and preparation tips, recipes, and food safety advice and activities — all in one convenient location. The Holiday Food Safety Success Kit — developed by the non-profit Partnership for Food Safety Education (PFSE) — joins consumer support efforts of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)/Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to address consumer concerns about safe food preparation. And on Thursday, November 19 at 3 p.m. ET, the USDA will host a live Facebook chat featuring a holiday food safety expert from the Food Safety and Inspection Service who will discuss how to safely prepare turkey, stuffing and other Thanksgiving meal favorites. Members of the public can submit and get live answers. For more information about the chat or to submit questions in advance, visit the USDA Live page at http://www.usda.gov/live. For the complete press release, please visit http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_111709_01/index.asp Publ.Date : Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:07:00 CST Amazon Associate Store |