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To:
Local Health Department Public Information Officers (PIO)
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Subject:
FDA
Updates Health Information Advisory on Melamine
Contamination
Date:
September 23, 2008
FDA Updates Health Information
Advisory on Melamine Contamination
On September 12, 2008, in light of
reports from China of melamine contaminated infant formula,
the FDA issued a Health Information Advisory to proactively
reassure the American public that there is no known threat
of contamination in infant formula manufactured by companies
that have met the requirements to sell such products in the
United States. That advisory also warned members of Chinese
communities in the United States that infant formula
manufactured in China, possibly available for purchase at
Asian markets, could pose a risk to infants.
The FDA had contacted the companies who
manufacture infant formula for distribution in the United
States and received information from the companies that they
are not importing formula or source materials from China.
At the same time, the FDA—in
conjunction with state and local officials—began a
nation-wide investigation to check Asian markets for Chinese
manufactured infant formula that may have been brought into
the United States. In particular, this effort focused on
areas of the country with large Chinese communities, such as
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and New York. To date,
investigators have visited more than 1,000 retail markets
and have not found Chinese infant formula present on shelves
in these markets.
In addition, the FDA is advising
consumers not to purchase infant formula manufactured in
China from internet sites or from other sources.
FDA has taken, and will continue to
take, proactive measures to help ensure the safety of the
American food supply. In conjunction with state and local
officials, FDA will continue to check retail stores for food
items imported from China that could contain a significant
amount of milk or milk proteins. Additionally, FDA is
sampling and testing milk and milk-derived ingredients and
finished food products that could contain these ingredients
from Chinese sources. Milk-derived ingredients include whole
milk powder, non-fat milk powder, whey powder, lactose
powder, and casein. This sampling and testing is done when
these ingredients or products are imported into the United
States or found during visits to Asian markets. If the
products are adulterated because they contain melamine
and/or a melamine analog, FDA will take action to prevent
the products from entering the U.S. food supply.
In addition to state and local
governments, FDA is working in close cooperation with
Customs and Border Protection within the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, other
federal agencies, and foreign governments
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Subject:
Food
Safety During Power Outages
Date:
September 16, 2008
Food
Safety During Power Outages
If
the power is out for less than 2 hours, then the food in
your refrigerator and freezer will be safe to consume. While
the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors
closed as much as possible to keep food cold for longer.
If the power is
out for longer than 2 hours, follow the guidelines below:
- For the Freezer section: A freezer that is half full will hold food
safely for up to 24 hours. A full freezer will hold food
safely for 48 hours. Do not open the freezer door if you
can avoid it.
- For the Refrigerated section: Pack milk, other dairy products, meat,
fish, eggs, gravy, and spoilable leftovers into a cooler
surrounded by ice. Inexpensive Styrofoam coolers are
fine for this purpose.
- Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of your food right
before you cook or eat it. Throw away any food that has
a temperature of more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
For guidelines
on when to save, and when to throw out food during a power
outage the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
has provided the following information below:
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When to Save and When to Throw It Out
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FOOD
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Held
above 40 °F for over 2 hours
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MEAT,
POULTRY, SEAFOOD
Raw or leftover cooked meat, poultry, fish, or seafood; soy
meat substitutes
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Discard
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Thawing meat or poultry
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Discard
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Meat, tuna, shrimp,chicken, or egg salad
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Discard
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Gravy, stuffing, broth
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Discard
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Lunchmeats, hot dogs, bacon, sausage, dried beef
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Discard
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Pizza – with any topping
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Discard
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Canned hams labeled "Keep Refrigerated"
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Discard
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Canned meats and fish, opened
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Discard
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CHEESE
Soft Cheeses: blue/bleu, Roquefort, Brie, Camembert, cottage,
cream, Edam, Monterey Jack, ricotta,
mozzarella, Muenster, Neufchatel, queso blanco,
queso fresco
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Discard
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Hard Cheeses: Cheddar, Colby, Swiss, Parmesan, provolone,
Romano
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Safe
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Processed Cheeses
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Safe
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Shredded Cheeses
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Discard
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Low-fat Cheeses
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Discard
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Grated Parmesan, Romano, or combination (in can or jar)
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Safe
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DAIRY
Milk, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, evaporated milk, yogurt,
eggnog, soy milk
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Discard
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Butter, margarine
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Safe
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Baby formula, opened
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Discard
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EGGS
Fresh eggs, hard-cooked in shell, egg dishes, egg products
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Discard
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Custards and puddings
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Discard
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CASSEROLES,
SOUPS, STEWS
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Discard
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FRUITS
Fresh fruits, cut
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Discard
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Fruit juices, opened
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Safe
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Canned fruits, opened
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Safe
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Fresh fruits, coconut, raisins, dried fruits, candied fruits,
dates
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Safe
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SAUCES,
SPREADS, JAMS
Opened mayonnaise, tartar sauce, horseradish
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Discard if above 50 °F for over 8 hrs.
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Peanut butter
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Safe
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Jelly, relish, taco sauce, mustard, catsup, olives, pickles
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Safe
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Worcestershire, soy, barbecue, Hoisin sauces
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Safe
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Fish sauces (oyster sauce)
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Discard
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Opened vinegar-based dressings
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Safe
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Opened creamy-based dressings
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Discard
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Spaghetti sauce, opened jar
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Discard
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BREAD,
CAKES, COOKIES,PASTA, GRAINS
Bread, rolls, cakes, muffins, quick breads, tortillas
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Safe
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Refrigerator biscuits,rolls, cookie dough
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Discard
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Cooked pasta, rice, potatoes
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Discard
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Pasta salads with mayonnaise or vinaigrette
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Discard
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Fresh pasta
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Discard
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Cheesecake
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Discard
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Breakfast foods –waffles, pancakes, bagels
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Safe
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PIES,
PASTRY
Pastries, cream filled
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Discard
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Pies – custard,cheese filled, or chiffon; quiche
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Discard
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Pies, fruit
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Safe
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VEGETABLES
Fresh mushrooms, herbs, spices
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Safe
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Greens, pre-cut, pre-washed, packaged
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Discard
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Vegetables, raw
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Safe
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Vegetables, cooked; tofu
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Discard
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Vegetable juice, opened
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Discard
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Baked potatoes
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Discard
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Commercial garlic in oil
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Discard
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Potato Salad
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Discard
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When to Save and When To Throw It Out
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FOOD
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Still
contains ice crystals and feels as cold as if
refrigerated
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Thawed.
Held
above 40 °F for over 2 hours
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MEAT,
POULTRY, SEAFOOD
Beef, veal, lamb, pork, and ground meats
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Refreeze
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Discard
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Poultry and ground poultry
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Refreeze
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Discard
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Variety meats (liver, kidney, heart, chitterlings)
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Refreeze
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Discard
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Casseroles, stews, soups
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Refreeze
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Discard
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Fish, shellfish, breaded seafood products
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Refreeze.
However, there will be some texture and flavor
loss.
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Discard
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DAIRY
Milk
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Refreeze. May lose some texture.
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Discard
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Eggs (out of shell) and egg products
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Refreeze
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Discard
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Ice cream, frozen yogurt
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Discard
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Discard
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Cheese (soft and semi-soft)
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Refreeze.
May lose some texture.
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Discard
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Hard cheeses
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Refreeze
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Refreeze
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Shredded cheeses
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Refreeze
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Discard
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Casseroles containing milk, cream, eggs, soft cheeses
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Refreeze
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Discard
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Cheesecake
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Refreeze
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Discard
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FRUITS
Juices
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Refreeze
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Refreeze. Discard if mold, yeasty smell, or
sliminess develops.
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Home or commercially packaged
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Refreeze.
Will change texture and flavor.
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Refreeze.
Discard if mold, yeasty smell, or sliminess
develops.
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VEGETABLES
Juices
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