Progress Report: Import safety

Progress report implies FDA will be giving itself a grade.. not likely. There will be a press event tomorrow, however:


Import Working Group to Release Progress Summary on Product Safety Efforts

Members of the interagency Working Group on Import Safety will release a new paper Tuesday that chronicles a wide variety of initiatives underway to enhance the safety of imported goods.

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson and Consumer Product Safety Commission Acting Chairman Nancy Nord will conduct a media briefing to discuss the report on Tuesday, July 1, at 12 p.m. EDT at the Department of Health and Human Services

Glass half empty

There is good news and bad news in the NRA Restaurant Performance Index, but pessimism persists. From the National Restaurant Association:


Restaurant Performance Index Advanced in May as Industry Same-Store Sales Turned Positive Restaurant operators reported positive sales in May; Expectations Index fell to record low
(Washington, D.C.) Restaurant industry performance improved in May, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of restaurant activity rose for the second consecutive month. The Association's Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 98.6 in May, up 0.2 percent from April's level.
"The May increase in the Restaurant Performance Index was driven by a solid gain in the current situation component," said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of Research and Information Services for the Association. "Each of the four current situation indicators posted improvements in May, led by the first positive same-store sales performance in three months."
"Although restaurant operators reported an improvement in their current performance, their outlook for sales and the economy in the months ahead grew more pessimistic," Riehle added. "Only 12 percent of restaurant operators expect economic conditions to improve in six months, the lowest level in the 6-year history of the Restaurant Performance Index."
The RPI is based on the responses to the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Industry Tracking Survey, which is fielded monthly among restaurant operators nationwide on a variety of indicators including sales, traffic, labor and capital expenditures. The RPI consists of two components – the Current Situation Index and the Expectations Index. (Follow this link to view this month's report: www.restaurant.org/pdfs/research/index/200805.pdf).
The Restaurant Performance Index is constructed so that the health of the restaurant industry is measured in relation to a steady-state level of 100. Index values above 100 indicate that key industry indicators are in a period of expansion, while index values under 100 represent a period of contraction for key industry indicators. The Current Situation Index, which measures current trends in four industry indicators (same-store sales, traffic, labor and capital expenditures), stood at 98.9 in May – up 1.0 percent from April and its second consecutive strong monthly gain. However, May represented the ninth consecutive month below 100, which signifies contraction in the current situation component.
Restaurant operators reported positive same-store sales in May for the first time in three months. Forty-three percent of restaurant operators reported a same-store sales gain between May 2007 and May 2008, up from 35 percent who reported a sales gain in April. Forty-two percent of operators reported a same-store sales decline in May, down from 50 percent who reported similarly in April.
Despite the positive sales results, restaurant operators continued to report negative customer traffic levels in May. Thirty-three percent of restaurant operators reported an increase in customer traffic between May 2007 and May 2008, up from 24 percent who reported similarly in April. Forty-five percent of operators reported a traffic decline in May, down from 55 percent who reported negative traffic in April.
Capital spending activity held relatively steady in recent months. Forty-four percent of operators said they made a capital expenditure for equipment, expansion or remodeling during the last three months, up slightly from 43 percent who reported similarly last month.
The Expectations Index, which measures restaurant operators' six-month outlook for four industry indicators (same-store sales, employees, capital expenditures and business conditions), stood at 98.3 in May – down 0.6 percent from April and its lowest level on record. In addition, May represented the seventh consecutive month in which the Expectations Index stood below 100.
Restaurant operators remain pessimistic about sales growth in coming months. Twenty-nine percent of restaurant operators expect to have higher sales in six months (compared to the same period in the previous year), matching the proportion who reported similarly last month. Thirty-seven percent of restaurant operators expect their sales volume in six months to be lower than it was during the same period in the previous year, up from 34 percent who reported similarly last month.
Restaurant operators also grew more pessimistic about the direction of the economy. Just 12 percent of operators expect economic conditions to improve in six months, down from 14 percent who reported similarly last month and the lowest level on record. Forty-five percent of operators said they expect economic conditions to worsen in six months, up from 42 percent who reported similarly last month.
Restaurant operators continue to pull back on plans for future capital spending. Forty-three percent of restaurant operators plan to make a capital expenditure for equipment, expansion or remodeling in the next six months, down from 47 percent who reported similarly last month and the lowest level on record

Last call: applications to serve on Standards Committee that will finalize a national standard for sustainable agriculture

This process of creating a "sustainability standard" has fought controversy from its inception, but this "last call" seems to reach out to dissenters who would like to provide input and balance to a sustainable standard that some fear will be too heavily skewed toward organic agricultural practices. Another question: will this standard "stick" once in place? Or will there be another?



Madison, Wisconsin July 1, 2008 -- This week marks the final opportunity to submit applications to serve on the Standards Committee that will finalize a national standard for sustainable agriculture under the auspices of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Applications are due on Monday, July 7th, following an unprecedented 15-month public outreach period to inform stakeholders of the opportunity to participate in the development process of this landmark standard.
The goals of establishing a national standard for sustainable agriculture practice include: 1) defining sustainability practices and indicators throughout the agricultural supply chain on a life-cycle basis, 2) distinguishing best practices in crop production and handling, 3) guiding producers and handlers through stages of incremental improvement, 4) providing a common set of metrics to gauge sustainability progress and 5) setting a reference benchmark for private sustainability efforts. Working within ANSI's open consensus process, this national standardization initiative will provide a forum for discussing and vetting differences over what sustainability means within the agricultural sector.
Role of the Standards CommitteeAlthough there are a limited number of seats available on the Standards Committee--the voting body for the standard--all applicants will be able to participate on subcommittees addressing the key issues outlined in the current draft, as well as other issues identified by stakeholders. The final draft standard will be subject to public review and comment prior to submission to ANSI. Ultimately, the Standards Committee will decide what is in the final standard that will be submitted for approval as an American National Standard. For this reason, all interested parties and stakeholders-such as growers, processors, food service organizations, retailers, government representatives, consumer groups, NGOs, labor groups and representatives, and other interested parties-are encouraged to apply. Stakeholders interested in working on specific advisory subcommittees are also encouraged to submit applications.
How to ApplyApplications for participation should be submitted to the Leonardo Academy-a neutral third-party ANSI-accredited organization dedicated to advancing sustainability through the competitive market-no later than 5 pm on Monday, July 7th. Applications will be reviewed in full in order to achieve a balance dispersion of qualifications and expertise on the Standards Committee. Committee members will be announced on Monday, July 28th, and the first Standards Committee meeting will be held on September 10th (time and location to be announced). Applications and background information regarding the draft standard are available at: http://www.leonardoacademy.org/Projects/Su stainAgStdDevelopment.htm.
For more information, contact:
Leonardo Academy
Amanda Raster
Project Manager
development-scs-1@leonardoacademy.org
608-280-0255

June 30 CDC: 851, 36 states and DC; April 10 to June 20 onset

CDC: "clusters have led us to broaden the investigation." From the CDC Web page:

CDC is collaborating with public health officials in many states, the Indian Health Service, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate an ongoing multi-state outbreak of human Salmonella serotype Saintpaul infections. An initial epidemiologic investigation comparing foods eaten by ill and well persons identified consumption of raw tomatoes as strongly linked to illness. Recently, many clusters of illnesses have been identified in Texas and other states among persons who ate at restaurants. These clusters have led us to broaden the investigation to be sure that it encompasses food items that are commonly consumed with tomatoes.
Since April, 851 persons infected with Salmonella Saintpaul with the same genetic fingerprint have been identified in 36 states and the District of Columbia. These were identified because clinical laboratories in all states send Salmonella strains from ill persons to their State public health laboratory for characterization. The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Arkansas (10 persons), Arizona (39), California (10), Colorado (11), Connecticut (4), Florida (1), Georgia (18), Idaho (3), Illinois (91), Indiana (11), Kansas (14), Kentucky (1), Maine (1), Maryland (29), Massachusetts (21), Michigan (6), Minnesota (2), Missouri (12), New Hampshire (3), Nevada (4), New Jersey (4), New Mexico (90), New York (26), North Carolina (5), Ohio (6), Oklahoma (19), Oregon (10), Pennsylvania (8), Rhode Island (3), Tennessee (6), Texas (346), Utah (2), Virginia (22), Vermont (2), Washington (4), Wisconsin (6), and the District of Columbia (1).
Among the 581 persons with information available, illnesses began between April 10 and June 20, 2008, including 173 who became ill on June 1 or later. Many steps must occur between a person becoming ill and the determination that the illness was caused by the outbreak strain of Salmonella; these steps take an average of 2-3 weeks. Therefore, an illness reported today may have begun 2-3 weeks ago. Patients range in age from <1>



From the FDA's Web site, succinct one page summary:



Identifying the Salmonellosis outbreak
Person eats contaminated food, becomes ill, seeks medical care, testing occurs. Illness is reported to local health department.
State labs and PulseNet detect pathogen and link common "fingerprints."
Data show increased illness rates, multiple cases identified. On May 22nd, CDC and states identify outbreak in NM and TX. Suspect association with southwestern style food.
Local/state/CDC interview individuals to obtain detailed food histories of food consumption.
May 31, FDA begins investigation …
Raw red Roma, plum, and round tomatoes identified. CDC notifies FDA.
FDA investigation includes working with industry, local and state partners, federal partners, and foreign governments to identify the source of the contamination.
FDA issues consumer warnings about raw red Roma, plum, and round tomatoes, and increases sampling and lab analysis of these tomatoes.
FDA inspects and investigates farms and other critical points on the supply chain where the tomatoes may have become contaminated.
Future ...
FDA works with industry, states, foreign governments, and academia to prevent future outbreaks.

Green Acres Is The Place For Me

A suburban myth? Record numbers? Idiocy, I tell you. But I must admit, that I be one of those idiots. 6 tomato plants, consisting of the three of the Burpee Big Boy Better Beefstake Hybrids, one Sweet Million cherry tomato, and two Mr. Stripey heirlooms, only 'cause I like the name. Interspersed are my herbs of choice---cilantro, dill, bouquet dill, thyme, Italian parsley, and basil. And organically, I planted onion sets on the rectangular perimeter to ward off critters of all kinds, as I have decided that I am at one with the environment, or at least I thought I was once in college in 1977. My brother uses a fence, the fool.

You can never tell about basil, of course. Nice plant, good leaves when bought at the nursery, then it craps out on you. Mine looks like a gnome right now. Last year it was on steroids--the dried leaves are still hanging upside-down in the garage. One of the cilantro plants has gone to seed, known as coriander, also known as un-usable. Doing OK with the dill, and lately I've been making smashing salads with extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dill & cilantro as the garnish. I feel vigorous, almost ready to take on the FDA.

And although Bankrate.com is known far & wide as the ultimate authority on gardening, I do question the validity of growing crops such as mushrooms, cherries or blackberries in a backyard garden. It might take something a little bit more complicated like...planting a tree? Now you've got an investment incurred, which might cut into the aforementioned 'gardening profit matrix'. But given my black mood lately, I might get excited about a compost bed in my basement for the mushrooms, or at least some toadstools.

Later,

Jay

More backyard garden myths

Another report about the benefits of planting a vegetable garden, from KSBW TV.


Though the task may seem daunting, tending a small garden in your backyard will generally pay for itself with the first harvest. Americans are planting fruits and vegetables at home in record numbers. One tomato plant, according to Bankrate.com, can save you $60 on your bill if you harvest 30 pounds of product over time. The cost of the plant, fertilizer and water to care for it might total around $3.05. Other expensive fruits and vegetables that will save the average consumer plenty of money if grown at home include mushrooms, green peas, asparagus, blackberries, cherries and strawberries. Choosing those plants that you enjoy most and those that are easiest to care for will ultimately save you hundreds. Just make sure you get the garden guru next door to show you the ropes of planting before you throw those seeds in the ground.

TK: Where is the proof that "Americans are planting fruits and vegetables at home in record numbers"? This is suburban myth if I ever heard one. Proof please...

Goodlatte: reduce ethanol mandate

The chinks in the ethanol armor are increasingly evident. From the office of Rep. Bob Goodlatte:


Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte and 50 of his Republican colleagues sent a letter to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asking the Agency to reduce the amount of ethanol mandated by the 2009 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to help alleviate the pressure on rising corn prices. Corn prices have increased significantly over the last few years and coupled with increased energy prices, livestock producers throughout the country are struggling under the weight of increased input costs. As a result of the record corn prices, wheat, soybeans, rice, and other food commodities have also seen a dramatic price increase and continue to drive up food costs for American consumers.
There are a variety of factors contributing to high commodity prices including export restrictions, energy prices, and global demand. Recently, adverse weather conditions in the U.S. have further exacerbated shortages in and increased prices on the commodity market. Nearly one-third of the U.S. corn crop is projected to be used to meet the increased RFS of 9 billion gallons of ethanol in 2008.
Currently, the EPA is reviewing the waiver request sent by Governor Rick Perry of Texas seeking a 50% reduction in the RFS. States can request waivers for up to one year and may ask for the waiver to be renewed at the discretion of the Administrator.
“The recent flooding in the Midwest has created devastating crop losses and these record corn prices will continue to climb. There are many factors that have increased the price of corn, but the only factor that we can immediately control is the amount of the corn supply that must be dedicated to meet the RFS. Our livestock producers and the American consumer have been hit hard in the pocket books. I urge the Administration to reduce the government mandated RFS so we can lessen the economic harm facing millions of Americans,” said Ranking Member Goodlatte. “I support the development and use of alternative fuels; however, we cannot allow government mandates to pick winners and losers. A temporary waiver will offer immediate relief to those affected by the current shortage of the corn supply.”

Nashville and more tomato headlines

I'm writing this from Nashville, being here with my son to help him scout out an apartment for this fall when he will attend university here. The family we are staying with is a subscriber to a community supported agriculture program, and receives a carton of locally grown produce each week. This week's fare included blackberries, lemon cucumbers, a type of plum-like fruit, beans, potatoes, beets and more. More on that later....

I will be able to update Fresh Talk a few times this week, but mostly I will be out of pocket. I look forward to the contributions of guest bloggers this week.

Still can't believe the FDA/CDC seems to be backpedaling on the cause of the salmonella outbreak....


Some headliness..

Tainted Tomatoes Still Out There, Salmonella Risk Remains High

FDA Uncertain Salmonella Linked Directly to Tomatoes

Bad tomatoes may still be on the shelves