FDA's Newest Egg Guideline

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Shawn Stevens

The FDA recently released its first new guidance materials since implementing the “Egg Rule” in 2009. The Egg Rule was aimed at reducing Salmonella in shell egg shells. The FDA said this week they are using guidance documents to help companies best comply with food safety rules.

In the past 3 years, the FDA has inspected many large and medium sized egg operations nationwide, with the exception being smaller egg producers. However, they will now too have to comply with the new rule.

In essence, the FDA intends to treat poultry houses and the surrounding areas as a “single biosecurity program.” With this holistic approach, it would mean that that a broad-reaching “Salmonella Prevention Plan” would have to be implemented at these facilities (which the egg rule lays out). Certain guidelines include treating food and water on the grounds and applying antibiotics to birds.

Concerns have risen in respect to smaller companies, however. Especially companies who follow a more traditional approach, meaning that they use open land. This open land can be more difficult to regulate, however. Some feel these types of producers will have a harder time complying with the Egg Rule.
 

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Food Safety: Seeking More Data on Antibiotics

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Shawn Stevens

This week, senators wrote a letter urging USDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg to have the FDA collect more data on antibiotics used in food animal production.

Currently, the agency does not collect data about veterinary drug usage. Even though the FDA requires reports of antibiotics sales, there is no dated collected to identify the specific animal species being treated with antibiotics, and how much they treated with (in regards to disease prevention, growth promotion, and therapeutic treatment). Many feel that, without this data, it is difficult for stakeholders to correctly assess whether the industry is actually reducing its usage of antibiotics in animals for food production. Both scientists and public health advocates agree having such data would help fight antibiotic resistance.

The letter suggests that the agency create a system for gathering and analyzing information to assess the effectiveness of new antibiotic policies. Senators offered to work with the FDA to provide additional authorities and/or resources, if needed. The letter also recognized the steps the agency is taking to address existing concerns, like revising labels and increasing oversight of antibiotics. However, they stressed the concern about continuing ambiguity in existing programs. Although there has been no official response to letter, we wait in earnest for the FDA’s view on these issues.
 

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