FDA ARTICLE ON FOCUSING ON FOOD SAFETY ON WORLD HEALTH DAY

FROM:  U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
Focus on Food Safety on World Health Day
Apr 07, 2015
By: Howard Seltzer, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The World Health Organization (WHO) is devoting World Health Day, April 7, 2015, to the critical importance of food safety, with the theme “From Farm to Plate, Make Food Safe.” WHO estimates that unsafe food is linked to the deaths of 2 million people annually – including many children.  Food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances can cause more than 200 diseases, ranging from diarrhea to cancers, a major health concern for all people on the planet.

Even though our food supply in the United States is among the safest in the world, the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are about 48 million cases of foodborne illness in the U.S. annually, sickening 1 in 6 Americans. And each year these illnesses result in an estimated 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. The people most likely to become ill from unsafe food, and to be hospitalized or die as a result, are people with weakened or undeveloped immune systems: older adults, very young children, pregnant women, and people with diseases or medical treatments that affect their immune systems, such as diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and organ transplants.
Foodborne illnesses occur because of environmental pollution or mishandling somewhere along the food chain from farm to table. Food may become unsafe because of contaminants in soil or water or inadequate safety measures in processing, transportation, or storage. It can also occur because of unsafe handling by workers in the food industry, or by consumers preparing food at home. Ensuring the safety of our food supply requires a farm-to-table approach. This means we are all a part of the food chain—including farmers, processors, transporters, retailers and food service workers, and consumers—and have responsibility for minimizing the risk of food contamination and helping to lower the danger of foodborne illness.

In the U.S., two federal agencies are responsible for regulation and safety standards for both domestic and imported foods:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture – for meat, poultry and processed egg products , and
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration – for all other foods.

They work with state and local government, as well as the governments of countries that export food to the U.S., to help ensure that the food Americans buy is safe. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) has provided new tools to help build modern concepts and techniques into our food safety standards and compliance programs to help prevent the contamination that can make people sick. The work that government does at every level  to make sure that food in commerce is safe is indispensable, but it’s just as essential that consumers do their part to make sure that food in the home is safe as well. It isn’t very hard or complicated to do. WHO and U.S. health authorities advocate these keys to safe food handling:

Clean  Illness-causing bacteria can survive in many places around your kitchen, including your hands, utensils, and cutting boards. Unless you wash your hands, utensils, and surfaces properly, you could spread bacteria to your food, and your family.

Separate  Even after you’ve cleaned your hands, utensils, and surfaces thoroughly, raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs can still spread illness-causing bacteria to ready-to-eat foods—unless you keep them separate.

Cook  The bacteria that cause food poisoning multiply quickest in the “Danger Zone,” between 40˚ and 140˚F.  While many people think they can tell when food is “done” simply by checking its color and texture, there’s no way to be sure it’s safe without using a food thermometer.

Chill  Illness-causing bacteria can grow in perishable foods within two hours unless you refrigerate them. Putting foods promptly into a refrigerator with a temperature between 32˚F and 40˚F will help keep them safe. An appliance thermometer is the only way to be sure the refrigerator is cold enough.

Click on the links above for more information about food safety at home. All of us need to practice these four simple steps to keep food as safe as possible in our homes.

U.S. AND 26 OTHER NATIONS COMMIT TO GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY AGENDA GOALS

FROM:  U.S. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT 
Nations Commit to Accelerating Progress against Infectious Disease Threats

The United States joins 26 countries, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), to accelerate progress toward a world safe and secure from the threat of infectious disease, and committing to the goals of the Global Health Security Agenda.

“Global health security is a shared responsibility; no one country can achieve it alone,” Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said. “In the coming months, we will welcome other nations to join the United States and the 26 other countries gathered here in Washington and in Geneva, as we work to close the gaps in our ability to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats.”

Over the next five years the United States plans to work with at least 30 partner countries (containing at least 4 billion people) to prevent, detect and effectively respond to infectious disease threats, whether naturally occurring or caused by accidental or intentional releases of dangerous pathogens.

“While we have made great progress in fighting and treating diseases, biological threats can emerge anywhere, travel quickly, and take lives,” said Lisa Monaco, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism.  “The recent outbreaks of H7N9 influenza and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome are reminders of the need to step up our efforts as a global community.  The Global Health Security Agenda is about accelerating progress toward a world safe and secure from infectious disease threats.”

Later this year, the White House will host an event bringing together nations who are committed to protecting the world from infectious disease threats to review progress and chart the way forward on building a global system for preventing, detecting, and responding to such threats.

“The United States and the world can and must do more to prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks as early and as effectively as possible,” CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden said.  “CDC conducted two global health security demonstration projects last year in partnership with Vietnam and Uganda to strengthen laboratory systems, develop strong public health emergency operations centers, and create real-time data sharing in health emergencies.  CDC is committed to replicate the successes in these two projects in ten additional countries this year.”

In FY 2014, CDC and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency have jointly committed to accelerate progress on global health security by co-developing a strategy and devoting $40 million toward activities focusing on advancing the U.S. government's GHS objectives in ten nations.

The FY 2015 President’s Budget will include an increase of $45 million within CDC to prevent avoidable catastrophes, detect threats early, and mobilize effective responses to contain outbreaks.  The increase also would allow CDC to partner with up to ten countries in 2015 to begin implementation and accelerate successful CDC efforts including training of field epidemiologists, developing new diagnostic tests, building capacities to detect new pathogens, building public health emergency management capacity, and supporting outbreak responses.

Secretary Sebelius, Ms. Monaco and Dr. Frieden were joined at the launch meeting by representatives in Washington and Geneva from 26 other countries, three international organizations, and by other U.S. government officials, including Deputy Secretary of State Heather Higginbottom, Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense Christine Fox, and Department of Agriculture Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford, whose agencies will lead efforts to fulfill the U.S. government commitment to global health security.

“Efforts to prevent deadly outbreaks strengthen geopolitical stability and security, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “None of us, not the public health, security or agriculture sectors can accomplish global health security on our own—it is obvious that an interdisciplinary approach is the best way to make progress.”

HHS, DoS, USDA, and DoD will work closely with global partners to build countries’ global health security capacities in areas such as surveillance, detection and response in order to slow the spread of antimicrobial resistance, establish national biosecurity systems, reduce zoonotic disease transmission, increase routine immunization, establish and strengthen national infectious disease surveillance and laboratory systems, and develop public health electronic reporting systems and emergency operations centers.

“The Global Health Security Agenda set forth today establishes a roadmap for progress that ultimately depends on collaboration between the health and security communities,” said Acting Deputy Defense Secretary Fox. “The Department of Defense is committed to continuing our work, together with our national and international partners, to strengthen global health security.”

Countries joining the United States to meet the Global Health Security goals at today’s launch were Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, and, Vietnam.

NOT ALL PLASTIC IS SAFE FOR THE MICROWAVE

FROM:  U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
By Capt. Tamara Fischer-Carter
AFSPC/PA
6/20/2012 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  -- If it doesn't clearly say "microwave-safe", it probably isn't.

According to the National Sanitation Foundation International webpage, placing certain plastics into the microwave can be harmful to your health.

Many white paper towels are fabricated with plastics, and are not microwave safe. Even some paper plates can be harmful. Plain paper is safe, but plastic coated paper is generally not microwave-safe.

The NSF is a World Health Organization recognized for its scientific and technical expertise in the health and environmental sciences and recommends never using plastic storage containers such as margarine tubs, take-out containers, whipped topping bowls and other one-time use containers for cooking or reheating food in your microwave. These containers are not heat resistant and can melt, possibly leaching harmful chemicals into your food. When eaten, these chemicals can disrupt the endocrine system, increasing risk for certain cancers, diabetes and early puberty, according to the NSF.

To minimize risk, the NSF also recommends using non-plastic dishes in the microwave; glass and ceramic are preferred for use in a microwave oven. When that's not possible, only use microwave-safe plastics.

How do you know? Check the triangle.

Just what is in a triangle? On the bottom of most plastic containers, you will find a small triangle made of arrows with a number inside of it. This number indicates the type of plastic that the product is made out of. By understanding this number, consumers can better understand if and how they can recycle the product and more importantly if it is safe to place in the microwave.

Plastics marked with a "Type 1" are the easiest to recycle and are in high demand by re-manufacturers. This plastic is widely accepted by recycling facilities and curbside recycling programs. These plastics are made of polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PETE or PET. Some common plastics marked with a number one include soda and water bottles, some medicine containers, mouthwash bottles, peanut butter containers, salad dressing bottles and vegetable oil containers.

Type 1 and Type 2, which contain mostly high density polyethylene (HDPE), may be safe if marked "microwave safe"; however, some recommend against food contact when microwaving.

Type 5 plastics contain polypropylene (PP) and are used to make food storage containers like ketchup and syrup bottles, straws and plastic bottle caps. This type of plastic is most commonly labeled "microwave safe" although some still recommend against food contact when microwaving.

Polypropylene, which is in Type 5, is difficult to recycle and is only occasionally accepted through curbside programs and recycling centers.

However, as new methods for recycling PP are becoming more common, an increased number of recycling centers are accepting it.

Type 7 plastics are the most difficult to recycle and should never be used in the microwave. Some of these plastics are uniquely recycled by artists who find ways to fashion the materials into new objects. This plastic can also occasionally be re-manufactured into plastic lumber. It is important to know that some nursing bottles contain Polycarbonate and should be thrown out if they have been boiled or washed more than 20 times or are badly scratched.

What about items such as coffee cups, disposable cutlery and plates, meat trays, packing peanuts, insulation, egg cartons and carryout containers? These are Type 6 plastics made from polystyrene (PS), also known as Styrofoam. They are not heat stable and are a potential human carcinogen, meaning they contain bisphenol A (BPA), and they should never be microwaved.

Type 6 plastics are difficult to recycle, but are sometimes accepted by recycling plants and curbside programs.

Type 3 plastics are also difficult to recycle and contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Vinyl, a Type 3 material, often contains bisphenol A (BPA) making it hard to recycle.

Type 3 plastics are used for some plastic wraps and they should never be used in a microwave with food. PVC is also used in shower curtains, baby bottle nipples and a variety of clear bottles and packaging products. Recycled PVC can be used to make decks, mud flaps, gutters, flooring and cables.

Simply knowing the meaning of the plastic type can not only help the environment but also your body. Check with your local recycling facilities and Civil Engineering squadron to find out more on the harm plastics can cause and the proper way to dispose of them.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WARNING ABOUT BUYING MEDICATIONS ONLINE

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
The Real Cost of Cheap Online Meds
April 26th, 2012 Posted by Tracy Russo
The following post appears courtesy of Stuart Delery, the Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Division.
If you are like most people, you probably think intellectual property (IP) is an abstract business or legal concept that does not affect you. But if you are one of the estimated 36 million Americans — and growing — who purchase medication through online
pharmacies, IP may be protecting you from unknowingly gambling with your own health.
Online pharmacies are prolific. And appealing. For the many Americans who do not have health insurance or cannot afford certain medications, the Web seems to offer a cheaper alternative. Many of these sites are designed to appear legitimate, often featuring a picture of smiling pharmacist in a white lab coat or claiming to be based in Canada.

But these sites often are not what they seem. Neither are the drugs they sell.
The World Health Organization estimates that more than half of drugs sold online are counterfeit. This means that these drugs are designed and packaged to look exactly like medicine you know and trust — medicine which required years of research and development, went through a stringent approval process, and was manufactured by trained professionals. These counterfeit drugs lack those safeguards; they aren’t made in quality-controlled laboratories, but in hidden rooms with unsanitary conditions. In order to replicate the look of legitimate drugs, they bear shockingly sophisticated labels and packaging, down to the serial numbers on blister packs and holograms. If that seems like a lot of trouble to go through, one need only look at the revenue for counterfeit pharmaceuticals worldwide to understand why — fake drugs raked in an estimated $75 billion last year.

All of us are looking for quality medicines at a better price. But these counterfeit pharmaceutical websites are run by criminals who trade on your trust of approved medicines and the quality assurances you have come to expect from them.

Take the case of Hazim Gaber, who ran an online pharmacy selling a highly-sought after cancer drug, DCA. Or so his customers thought. The pills these cancer patients received in the mail contained nothing more than starch, dextrin and lactose. For good measure, each shipment included a fraudulent certificate of analysis from a fictitious laboratory.

The medicine Gaber sold was useless. But, more often, counterfeit medications are actually harmful. More typical of a hardware store than a pharmacy, these products often include chemicals you might not even want in your house, let alone your body — toxins like rat poison, highway paint, floor wax, and boric acid. As just one example, customers have received ‘Xanax’ pills containing a substance used to manufacture sheetrock.

IP protections are a critical tool in protecting Americans from this threat. IP is not simply about downloading music or billion dollar fights over microchips. It is about making sure what you buy is actually what it claims to be.

That is why the Department of Justice is working hard to fight these criminal counterfeiters. Established by Attorney General Holder, our department-wide IP Task Force is working to combat the growing number of IP crimes, strengthening IP protections through heightened civil and criminal enforcement, greater coordination with state and local law enforcement and, because we know we cannot fight this within our borders alone, increased focus on international enforcement efforts. As part of that initiative, within the Civil Division, we have formed a team of attorneys dedicated to handling counterfeit pharmaceutical cases, particularly those trafficked over the Internet. Working with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and many other partners, we are succeeding in safeguarding IP rights and protecting consumers’ safety.

And, thanks to the Department’s efforts, criminals like Gaber are off the Internet and behind bars.

Most importantly, we are working to educate consumers about how they can protect themselves. A recent study showed that fewer than 11% of online pharmacy sites ask for a prescription. Before you purchase any medicines online, make sure the site (1) requires a prescription; (2) provides its name and address; and (3) has a licensed pharmacist you can actually speak to. With your help, we can keep patients safe, protect legitimate businesses, and keep products like rat poison and highway paint where they belong – far away from our medicine cabinets.
Stuart F. Delery
Washington, D.C.

MALARIA IS STILL A THREAT TO MILLIONS

FROM:  U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
"Have You Heard?"
Malaria threatens security of millions
Malaria, a disease spread by mosquito bites, can lead to impoverishment, disability, and death. Beyond the loss of human potential, malaria’s direct costs total more than $12 billion each year and cause substantial economic losses for entire nations. Encouragingly, inexpensive yet simple interventions can dramatically reduce malaria’s impact.

From global efforts to grass-roots mobilization, resources committed to fight malaria have increased greatly in the past decade. Hundreds of millions of life-saving insecticide-treated bed nets and effective antimalarial medicines are now available to people who need them, especially pregnant women and children under 5 years old, who are most vulnerable to malaria.

The impact of this massive scale-up has been a dramatic decline in malaria cases and deaths---in many countries by as much as 50 percent. Globally, WHO estimates that malaria deaths decreased by a third between 2000 and 2010, with most of this reduction in Africa. These achievements are fragile, however, because resources are constrained in the current economy, bed nets wear out, and parasites develop resistance to medicines.

World Malaria Day, April 25th, and its theme “Sustain Gains, Save Lives: Invest in Malaria,” remind us that successes of the past decade can be easily reversed.

The U.S. government has a major role in the global malaria partnership. CDC, which began in 1946 as the agency to control malaria in the United States, is a leader in global malaria efforts. The successful President’s Malaria Initiative is jointly implemented by the U.S. Agency for International Development and CDC and has greatly contributed to recent decreases in malaria.

CDC has played a key role in developing and improving the tools to prevent and treat malaria: treated bed nets and house-spraying to protect families from mosquitoes, accurate diagnostic tests and high-quality effective drugs, and treatment for pregnant women that protects them and their babies.

What more can we do?

Even as many individuals and companies contribute to organizations that buy and distribute bed nets, our nation is harnessing its technical expertise to develop and evaluate new prevention and control methods. CDC is working to ensure that new medicines, vaccines, diagnostic tests, and mosquito control products are deployed effectively, and is also investigating new ways to collect the strategic information needed to track our progress and ensure we invest wisely.

With increased knowledge, the right tools, and renewed commitment to decrease malaria, we can sustain gains made in past decade and save lives.
Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention