Statement Before the House Committee on Agriculture
Introduction
Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Peterson, and members of the Committee, my name is Al Almanza, Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Thank you for the opportunity to come before you today to discuss the Food Safety and Inspection Service, our mission, and our people.
Statement Before the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. House of Representatives
Introduction
Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Farr, and members of the Subcommittee, my name is Al Almanza, Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). With me is Michael Young, USDA’s Budget Officer. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the status of the agency's programs and policies.
(Washington, D.C., February 3, 2021) – Score a touchdown this year with your Super Bowl LV snacks by keeping bacteria out of the end zone. While your Super Bowl traditions may look different this year given COVID-19 and the need to maintain social distancing, your plans probably still involve food. Whether you are cooking your favorite munchies from scratch or ordering from a nearby restaurant, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) wants you to remember to follow safe food handling rules.
(Washington, D.C., November 23, 2020) – This week, Americans will enjoy a delicious meal on Thanksgiving Day with family and friends – either in person or virtually. Taking the necessary steps toward safe food handling and sanitation will help protect you and your loved ones this year. To make sure your Thanksgiving meal is prepared safely, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering food safety advice to reduce foodborne illness, including on Thanksgiving Day.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Food Safety (OFS) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) have selected four Food Safety Fellows through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) program. The fellows are students currently working toward their doctoral degrees and have an interest in improving food safety and public health. During their fellowships they will learn how to apply their scientific and technical knowledge to inform FSIS decision making and improve the safety of the food supply.
Statement before U.S. House of Representatives
Introduction
Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Farr, and members of the Subcommittee, my name is Al Almanza, Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). With me is Michael Young, USDA’s Budget Officer. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the status of the Agency's programs and policies.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for heat treated, not fully cooked, not shelf stable, spaghetti and meatballs in marinara sauce products due to concerns that the products may be contaminated with extraneous material, specifically metal. FSIS is issuing this public health alert out of the utmost of caution to ensure that consumers are aware that these products should not be consumed.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for beef stock products that were not presented for import re-inspection into the United States. A recall was not requested because it is believed that the affected product is no longer available for consumers to purchase.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is soliciting nominations for membership to the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF). There are nine vacancies on the advisory committee.
Fourth of July Food Safety Tips
Many Americans will be celebrating the Fourth of July this year – a little differently – with backyard barbecues and picnics, and maybe only with their immediate households. As you are celebrating, FSIS encourages you to make food safety and other public health recommendations a part of your holiday weekend.
Follow these tips from USDA to ensure a food safe Fourth of July:
Don’t Cross-Contaminate
