The number of recalls related to E. coli O157:H7 in beef has increased from 5 in 2005, to 8 in 2006, and now 15 in 2007, as of press time. Of the 15 recalls this year, 8 were associated with human illness. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has responded with new procedures intended to protect public health against the risk of E. coli O157:H7 infection.
“The number of recalls and the number of illnesses has declined in the last several years, but as a result of what we are seeing this year, we are going through a very comprehensive review of our entire inspection and recall procedures at this time,” said Dr. Richard Raymond, USDA under secretary for food safety, in a tele-news conference on Oct. 23.
FSIS has developed several key initiatives targeted to federally inspected plants that produce raw beef products.
Testing and analysis of trim. In March 2007, FSIS began trim testing, as contamination of trim is related to contamination of ground beef. The agency intends to test 3,000 samples of trim each year. In Jan. 2008, the agency will begin using a newly developed test that will detect lower levels of E. coli contamination.
Testing ground beef components. FSIS will also test 1,500 samples of heart muscle, weasand meat and other components used in ground beef.
Verifying control. As of Nov. 2007, all beef plants will be expected to verify they are effectively controlling E. coli O157:H7 during slaughter and processing.
Checklist. A checklist has been developed to review suppliers and processors. Data from the checklists will be updated quarterly, allowing the agency to identify changes in a plant’s production controls.
Targeted routine testing. In Jan. 2008, FSIS will begin routine targeted testing for E. coli at slaughter and grinding facilities. Currently, each plant is tested seven times a year, on average. Beginning next year, the likelihood of being tested will depend on the plant’s production volume and performance, based on data from the aforementioned checklists.
More rapid recalls. FSIS now takes into account a broader, more complete range of evidence when evaluating whether to seek a recall or take regulatory action.
Ensuring safety of imported beef products. FSIS notified countries that export raw beef product to the United States of new policies and programs and is working with them to ensure they implement the same, or equivalent, measures to protect the public from E. coli O157:H7 risks.
A comprehensive list of actions by FSIS to reduce E. coli O157:H7 is posted on the FSIS website atwww.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_102307_01_Att/index.asp.
Industry News
Beef Value Cuts Debut
The checkoff-funded Beef Innovations Group (BIG) will introduce a new line of Beef Value Cuts fabricated from the beef chuck roll in 2008. The four new cuts include steaks for grilling; an affordable roast for dry roasting; boneless, country-style ribs; and a fully cooked roast.
NCA Show Sees Growth
The National Confectioners Association’s (NCA) 2007 All Candy Expo, held Sept. 17 to 19 in Chicago, featured nearly 500 confectionery and snack companies from around the world and attracted 15,000 industry professionals. This year, snack product companies were added to the mix. The show also expanded by nearly 100,000 sq. ft.
The Third Fiber
Resistant starch (RS), the so-called third fiber, was the focus of “The New Fiber Story: Natural Resistant Starch” conference held Sept. 29 in Philadelphia. At the event, experts discussed the health benefits of RS consumption, including its positive impact on digestive health and its role in weight and glycemic management. It is believed the fermentation of natural resistant starch—such as that found in beans, unripe bananas and cold potatoes—is responsible for many of the digestive and metabolic health benefits.
David Topping, Ph.D., chief scientist, CSIRO National Research Flagships, Adelaide, Australia, explained that RS “promotes large bowel function, not through bulking, but through the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by its metabolism by colonic bacteria.”
Janine Higgins, Ph.D., assistant professor, Center for Human Nutrition, University of Colorado, Denver, reviewed research showing the role of RS in reducing weight gain and risk for diabetes. RS consumption, she said, has a “fat-burning” effect by making the body prioritize fat metabolism over carbohydrate metabolism.
Other presentations addressed practical tips for adding more RS to the diet; communicating the benefits of RS to consumers; and cooking demonstrations and tastings.
“The New Fiber Story: Natural Resistant Starch”
conference was organized by Oldways, Boston, and National Starch Food Innovation, Bridgewater, NJ. For more information, visit www.resistantstarch.com.
Supplier News
New GTC Facility
GTC Nutrition, Golden, CO, opened a specialty oats manufacturing facility in Missoula, MT, which produces OatVantage ™, a concentrated soluble fiber with 54% beta-glucan.
US Soy Launches Site
US Soy, Mattoon, IL, grower and processor of organic and non-GM soy ingredients, recently launched ussoy.com, with information on complete organic and the website non-GM soy ingredients, as well as application information, technical assistance and an overview of its growing and production process.
Purac Raises Prices
Purac, Lincolnshire, IL, announced increased sales prices for its lactic acid, lactates, gluconic acid and gluconates. The increase will be applied worldwide and will vary from 5% to 10%, depending on category. The new prices will be effective Oct. 8, 2007, or as sales contracts allow.
Tate & Lyle in China
Tate & Lyle, Decatur, IL, opened a satellite research and development facility in Shanghai, China. The technical service and research team in Shanghai will initially specialize in beverage, dairy and bakery applications.
Firmenich Assumes Distribution
Firmenich, Inc., Princeton, NJ, announced that, effective Nov. 1, 2007, its flavors will no longer be distributed by Flavor Savor, Inc. Due to its recent acquisition of Danisco’s flavor division, Firmenich will handle its U.S. customers directly.
Kalsec Center Opens
Kalsec, Kalamazoo, MI, opened the $8 million stateof- the-art Paul H. Todd Jr. Research Center, allowing the company to offer ingredient solutions to food-formulating and product-development challenges.
BI Nutraceuticals in Mexico
BI Nutraceuticals, Long Beach, CA, announced that Nutraseutica International, Guadalajara, Mexico, is the exclusive distributor for the company’s line of more than 700 ingredients in Mexico.
Embria Opens New HQ
Embria Health Sciences, Ankeny, IA, opened its new corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility. The 36,000-sq.-ft. building, which houses a product warehouse, packaging gallery, and manufacturing and research areas, was built within the parameters of FDA GMPs. The plant incorporates features that enhance product cleanliness, consistency, automation and control.
Corrections
In the Oct. 2007 issue of Food Product Design, column headings were inadvertently omitted from the chart on page 67. The figures in the middle column represent the incidence of food allergies/intolerance in the total U.S. population; the figures in the last column represent the incidence in children age 9 or younger.
In the Nov. 2007 issue of Food Product Design, Celeste Sullivan, technical manager, Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, IA, was not fully identified in “New Menu in the Freezer Case,” page 29.
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