8-7-2003 |
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FOOD SECURITY GUIDANCE AVAILABLE ONLINE The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is encouraging transporters and distributors of meat, poultry and egg products to become familiar with new guidelines issued by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to protect America’s food supply from either intentional or unintentional contamination. “Very few people have an appreciation of the delicate nature of our food supply,” said West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass. “For example, they don’t realize that the typical city has only a seven-day food supply on hand at any given time, or that terrorists have investigated American agriculture as an economic and political target.” FSIS Safety and Security Guidelines for the Transportation and Distribution of Meat, Poultry and Egg Products is designed to help facilities and shippers that handle meat, poultry and egg products strengthen their food safety and security plans. The guidelines provide recommendations to ensure the security of food products through all phases of distribution. The document can be found online at www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/topics/biosecurity.htm. Meat, poultry and eggs transported numerous times between the farm and the consumer, and may face hazards at each step. The guidelines address points in the transportation and distribution process where potential contaminants could be introduced. FSIS is requesting public comments in response to a series of questions contained in the Federal Register notice announcing the guidelines. The agency is interested in comments that address any shortcomings or suggest possible improvements to the guidelines, as well as any challenges they may pose to certain entities, particularly small companies. Written comments should be submitted no later than October 3, 2003, to the FSIS Docket Room, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Room 1-2, Cotton Annex, Washington, DC 20250-3700. |
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