Food Protection Trends - August 2009 - 530

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN FOOD SAFETY 3-A SSI Announces Withdrawal of 3-A Symbol Authorization -A Sanitary Standards, Inc. (3-A SSI) announces the revocation of a current 3-A Symbol license due to the need for corrective actions for equipment manufactured in accordance to 3-A Sanitary Standard #68-00, Ball-type Valves. The action concerns equipment manufactured by Chiang Sung Enterprise Co., Ltd. (CSE) for models of ball-type valves listed in 3-A Symbol authorization #1327. The 3-A SSI action was made in accordance with provisions of the 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. Manual for Third Party Verification for 3-A Symbol Authorization and 3-A Process Certification. The balltype valves subject to the corrective action by CSE bear the 3-A Symbol and are sold under the model designations ‘Ball Valve Series Y Clamp & Weld Ends’. The Manual provides for CSE to send notice of this action to all customers of record since January 15, 2008, the date of the most recent independent Third Party Verification (TPV) Report of Conformance. The action announced by 3-A SSI applies only to equipment listed in the CSE 3-A Symbol authorization #1327 for equipment manufactured to 3-A Sanitary Standard #68-00. CSE maintains three other 3-A Symbol authorizations for equipment manufactured under 3-A Sanitary Standards #58-00, Vacuum Breakers and Check Valves; #65-01, Sight and/or Light Windows and Sight Indicators in Contact with Product; and #63-03, Sanitary Fittings. 3 3-A SSI issues certificates of 3-A Symbol authorization to licensees that agree to meet specific conditions for use of the 3-A Symbol. Voluntary use of the 3-A Symbol on dairy and food equipment assures processors that equipment meets sanitary standards, provides accepted criteria to equipment manufacturers for sanitary design, and establishes guidelines for uniform evaluation and compliance by sanitarians. 3-A SSI maintains a list of 3-A Symbol holders, both current and discontinued, on the 3-A SSI web site at http://www.3-a.org/symbol/3-a_symbol_holders.pdf. The public list is available to assist fabricators, processors, regulatory sanitarians and other interested parties identify the type of equipment and the suppliers that hold a current 3-A Symbol authorization and license. Colorado Firm Expands Recall of Beef Products Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination J BS Swift Beef Company, a Greeley, CO establishment is voluntarily expanding its June 24 recall to include approximately 380,000 pounds of assorted beef primal products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced. Together with traceback information and laboratory data, the recall is being expanded as a result of FSIS’ cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in an ongoing investigation into 24 illnesses in multiple states, of which at least 18 appear to be associated.This investigation prompted the company to re-examine the effectiveness of their food safety system for the April 21 production of beef primals, and they are conducting this recall out of an abundance of caution as the safety of the products produced on a portion of that day could not be assured. The beef products were produced on April 21, 2009 and were distributed both nationally and internationally. Each box bears the establishment number “EST. 969” inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as the identifying package date of “042109” and a time stamp ranging from “0618” to “1130.” However, these products were sent to establishments and retail stores nationwide for further processing and will likely not bear the establishment number “EST. 969” on products available for direct consumer purchase. Customers with concerns should contact their point of purchase. The recalled products include intact cuts of beef, such as primals, sub-primals, or boxed beef typically used for steaks and roasts rather than ground beef. FSIS is aware that some of these products may have been further processed into ground products by other companies. The highest risk products for consumers are raw ground product, trim or other non-intact product made from the products subject to the recall. E. coli O157:H7 H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems 530 FOOD PROTECTION TRENDS | AUGUST 2009

http://www.3-a.org/symbol/3-a_symbol_holders.pdf http://www.3-a.org/symbol/3-a_symbol_holders.pdf

Food Protection Trends - August 2009

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