News

Food Use of Cloned Animals and Offspring at Issue

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Late last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued three documents on the safety of animal cloning — a draft risk assessment; a proposed risk management plan; and a draft guidance for industry.

• The draft risk assessment states that meat and milk from clones of adult cattle, pigs and goats, and their offspring, are as safe to eat as food from conventionally bred animals. The assessment was peer-reviewed by a group of independent scientific experts in cloning and animal health who agreed with the methods FDA used to evaluate the data and the conclusions set out in the document.
• The proposed risk management plan addresses risks to animal health and potential remaining uncertainties associated with feed and food from animal clones and their offspring, and outlines measures that FDA might take to address the risks that cloning poses to animals involved in the cloning process. In addition, FDA is continuing to ask producers of clones and livestock breeders to voluntarily refrain from introducing food products from these animals into commerce until the comment period is complete and FDA’s final document is issued. 
• The draft guidance for industry addresses the use of food and feed products derived from clones and their offspring. The guidance is directed at clone producers, livestock breeders, and farmers and ranchers purchasing clones and provides FDA’s current thinking on use of clones and their offspring in human food or animal feed.

During the comment period, which closed April 2, a number of experts, agencies, organizations, dairy and meat producers put out public statements on the documents, both for and against the use of milk and meat from cloned animals as well as recommending increased communication with the public, consideration of labeling requirements, and USDA determination of the organic status of clone offspring. After full review of the comments, the Food &  Drug Administration will issue its final document.

Armstrong International Launches New Global Web Site

THREE RIVERS, MICH. — Armstrong International, a developer of intelligent system solutions for steam, air and hot water utility applications, has launched a new global Web site. The site was redesigned to be more user-friendly, with quick access to product, service and industry solutions tailored to end-users, engineers, facilities managers and others seeking energy management solutions. The site’s content is available in English, French, Chinese and Korean, with more languages coming soon.

Site visitors can receive a free assessment of their steam, condensate return and hot water systems; download product literature, technical specifications and CAD drawings; request a quote; order products through a secure e-commerce engine; or join Armstrong University — a one-stop resource for quick research on steam systems, answers to steam system questions and comprehensive online steam system education. To learn more, visit www.armstronginternational.com or call 269/273-1415. 

USDA Continues Avian Influenza Preparation and Protection Efforts

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In its continuing efforts to prepare the U.S. for and protect it from the highly pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza (AI), USDA has focused its efforts on four key areas:

• International: USDA signed an agreement with the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization to coordinate technical assistance in agriculture issues including AI; hosted an international workshop for volunteers from more than 15 countries on rapid deployment to combat AI; is developing educational materials on AI issues.
• Wild Bird Monitoring: Last year, more than 100,000 wild bird samples from all 50 states were collected and tested with only 16 found to be presumptive positive for low pathogenic H5N1, and six confirmed. 
• Domestic Monitoring: USDA is combating illegal importation of pet birds, poultry and poultry products; has expanded its AI testing of commercial poultry flocks and live bird marketing surveillance; and developed an industry-driven monitoring plan, in which 98 percent of U.S. broiler production is tested before slaughter. 
• Research: The University of Alaska completed a seven-year study of AI in 8,254 waterfowl and shorebirds in Alaska, where Asian and North American birds meet, concluding that risk of AI introduction through migratory birds in this region is relatively low. More information is available at www.usda.gov/birdflu, www.doi.gov/issues/avianflu and www.avianflu.gov.

Q Laboratories Announces New Appointments

CINCINNATI — Erin Crowley has been appointed to Microbiology R&D Laboratory Supervisor for Q Laboratories, Inc. Crowley will be responsible for all functions of the R&D Laboratory, such as AOAC validation studies, (including AOAC-RI and Official Methods of Analysis), internal validation studies, method development and validation and other special projects. She holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of Cincinnati and a master’s degree from Tuft’s University in Medford, Mass.

Patrick Bird has been appointed Microbiology R&D Project Leader for Q Laboratories, Inc., for which his duties will include administering individual R&D studies, projects and validations and coordinating staff responsibilities and functions. Bird holds a bachelor’s of science degree from The Ohio State University.

An independent laboratory, Q Laboratories (www.qlaboratories.com) provides microbiology and analytical chemistry testing and research and development services for the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and dietary supplement industries.

Broski named Thermo Fisher Marketing Manager

MINNEAPOLIS — Gerry Broski has been appointed to Marketing Manager for the Weighing & Inspection business unit of Thermo Fisher Scientific based in Minneapolis, Minn. Broski has been with Thermo Fisher Scientific for more than four years, most recently serving as Vertical Market Manager — Food & Beverage. Thermo Fisher Scientific helps solve analytical challenges from routine testing to complex research and discovery, offering a complete range of high-end analytical instruments as well as laboratory equipment, software, services, consumables and reagents to enable integrated laboratory workflow solutions. For more information, visit www.thermofisher.com.