WASHINGTON NEWS

Must use HACCP principles in juice processing
The Food and Drug Administration is requiring application of hazard analysis and critical control point principles to ensure the safe and sanitary processing of fruit and vegetable juices. Deadline for compliance is January 22, 2002, for large businesses; January 21, 2003, for small businesses; and January 20, 2004, for very small businesses. Details are in the Federal Register of January 19 (66 FR 6137-6202). For more information, contact S. Anderson at FDA, 200 C St., S.W., Washington, DC 20204 (phone 202-205-5023).

X-ray and e-beam irradiation of packaging approved
FDA is allowing use of x-ray and e-beam irradiation (in addition to the already-approved use of gamma irradiation) to treat prepackaged foods, in response to a petition filed by the National Center for Food Safety and Technology. Details are in the Federal Register of February 16 (66 FR 10574-10575). For more information, contact M.A. Hepp at FDA, 200 C St., S.W., Washington, DC 20204 (phone 202-418-3098).

Listeria risk assessment comments sought
FDA and USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service are soliciting technical comments on a draft risk assessment on the relationship between foodborne Listeria monocytogenes and human health and a risk management action plan based on the risk assessment (both available at www.foodsafety.gov). Deadline for comments is March 20. Details are in the Federal Register of January 19 (66 FR 5515-5517). For more information on the risk assessment document, contact S.B. Dennis at FDA, 200 C St., S.W., Washington, DC 20204 (phone 202-260-3984). For more information on the risk management action plan, contact K. Gombas at FDA (202-205- 4231) or C. Edwards at USDA/FSIS, 300 12th St. S.W., Washington, DC 20250-3700 (202-205-0675).

Vibrio risk assessment comments sought
FDA is soliciting technical comments on a draft risk assessment (available at www.foodsafety.gov/dms/fs-toc.html) on the relationship between Vibrio parahaemolyticus in raw molluscan shellfish, specifically oysters, and human health. Deadline for comments is March 20. Details are in the Federal Register of January 19 (66 FR 5517-5518). For more information, contact M. Miliotis (phone 202-205-4824) or S.B. Dennis (202-260-3984) at FDA, 200 C St., S.W., Washington, DC 20204.

Irradiation of crustaceans requested
The National Fisheries Institute has asked FDA to allow use of ionizing radiation to control foodborne pathogens in raw or processed crustaceans. Details are in the Federal Register of February 6 (66 FR 9086-9087). For more information, contact L.A. Highbarger at FDA, 200 C St., S.W., Washington, DC 20204 (phone 202-418-3032).

Graduate fellowships available
USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service is requesting proposals from eligible institutions for graduate fellowship grants for fiscal years 2001 and 2002 and for supplemental grants for 2001. Fellowship proposals must be received by July 10, and supplemental proposals by October 1. Details are in the Federal Register of January 19 (66 FR 6203-6208). For more information, contact H. Sandberg at USDA/CSREES, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250-2251 (phone 202-720-2193).

May require labeling of rejected import foods
FDA is proposing to require food products which for safety reasons are refused entry into the United States to be marked “UNITED STATES REFUSED ENTRY” and to prohibit persons from refusing to affix this mark on refused food, from importing or offering to import a previously refused food, and from altering, removing, tampering with, or concealing a mark. Deadline for comments is April 9. Details are in the Federal Register of January 22 (66 FR 6502-6511). For more information, contact P.L. Chao at FDA, 5600 Fishers Ln., Rockville, MD 20857 (phone 301-827-3380).

Comments on Food Chemicals Codex proposals solicited
FDA is soliciting comments on proposed new specification monographs, changes to certain specification monographs, and a new general test procedure for publication in the third supplement to the fourth edition of Food Chemicals Codex, scheduled for publication this summer. Details are in the Federal Register of January 22 and February 9 (66 FR 6624-6625 and 9710-9711). For more information, contact R. Molins at Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine, 2101 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20418 (phone 202-334-2580) or P.M. Kuznesof at FDA, 200 C St., S.W., Washington, DC 20204 (phone 202-418-3009).

by NEIL H. MERMELSTEIN
Senior Editor