- USDA News Release
- Release No. 0172.03
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- Jean Daniel (703) 305-2286
- Martha Abrams (202) 720-4623
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- USDA RELEASES SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE PURCHASE OF IRRADIATED
GROUND BEEF IN THE NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
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- Provides Education Recommendations for Local School Districts
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- WASHINGTON, May 29, 2003 - The
U.S. Department of Agriculture today released specifications for the purchase
of irradiated ground beef for donation through the National School Lunch
Program. The product will be available for schools to order in January
2004.
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- The 2002 Farm Bill directs USDA
to not prohibit the use of approved food safety technologies on foods purchased
for the National School Lunch Program. The law's report language also indicates
that USDA should consider "the acceptability by recipients of products
purchased" by USDA for commodity distribution. Therefore, before irradiated
beef is made available for order by schools in January 2004, USDA will
provide balanced consumer education materials to all school districts to
use in educating parents, students and the community in their decision
to order the product. The decision to order and serve irradiated ground
beef will be made by local school districts.
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- "Each school district will
have the option to choose between irradiated and non-irradiated ground
beef products and will decide how to notify parents and students if they
choose to offer them," said Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and
Consumer Services Eric Bost. "While USDA does not have the authority
to require that schools inform parents and students about whether or not
the district will be ordering irradiated beef, USDA is strongly encouraging
schools to provide information to students, teachers, food service personnel,
school administrators, parents and caregivers as part of the decision-making
process."
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- USDA's Food and Nutrition Service
will provide all school districts with an informational package to prepare
them to decide whether to order irradiated beef products. The package will
be mailed in June 2003 and will include a letter from Under Secretary Bost
strongly encouraging schools to notify parents, students and the community
if they are planning to order irradiated beef. In addition, the package
will include a brochure with answers to commonly asked questions about
irradiation. This letter will also include web-site addresses for the brochure
as well as the site for the Food and Drug Administration irradiation consumer
information. The letter will give information regarding the community educational
materials currently under development by the State of Minnesota that will
be available to schools in Fall 2003.
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- On May 1, 2003, USDA announced
specification for all ground beef items purchased for the National School
Lunch Program that added new process and testing requirements throughout
the manufacturing process. "USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service
will utilize test results to measure the performance of processing systems
producing raw and finished ground beef products for purchase by USDA,"
said Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Bill Hawks.
"Both irradiated and non-irradiated ground beef products will be subject
to these new requirements."
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- "Protecting the public
from foodborne illnesses is a priority for USDA," said Under Secretary
for Food Safety Elsa Murano. "Irradiation technology is another tool
to enhance food safety. It is important to remember, however, that this
technology is not a substitute for proper hygiene, good sanitation and
safe handling and preparation practices in the processing plant and school
cafeterias."
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- In 1997, the Food and Drug Administration approved irradiation
of raw meat and poultry products after a thorough scientific review of
a substantial number of studies conducted worldwide on the effects of irradiation
on a wide variety of products. The studies included examination of the
chemical effects of irradiation on food, impact on nutrient content of
irradiated products, potential toxicity concerns and effects on microorganisms
in or on irradiated products. FDA concluded that irradiation is safe in
reducing disease-causing microbes and that it does not compromise the nutritional
quality of treated products. USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service
(FSIS) approved its use in raw meat and poultry in 1999. Food irradiation
has been approved in 37 countries for more than 40 food products. The United
Nation's World Health Organization, Codex Alimentarius Commission, American
Medical Association and many others have endorsed the process.
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- FSIS inspects all meat and poultry products, including
those that are irradiated. Additionally, FSIS conducts microbial testing
to be sure plants are producing wholesome products. Only FSIS federally-inspected
establishments and state-inspected facilities that meet the same requirements
specified in the federal regulations are able to irradiate meat.
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- Meat and poultry establishments that use irradiation
must meet sanitation and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)
regulations. Additionally, FSIS conducts microbial testing to be sure plants
are producing wholesome products.
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- For information on the National School Lunch Program,
visit www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/ More details on irradiation can be found at
www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/topics/irrmenu.htm and the new ground beef specifications
with irradiation included is available at www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/cp/beef/beef_whatsnew.htm.
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- http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2003/05/0172.htm
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