Sampling Frozen Berries for Hepatitis A Virus and Norovirus
FDA is collecting samples of frozen berries from processors, distribution centers, warehouses, and retail locations throughout the year to test for hepatitis A virus and norovirus. Some consumers use frozen berries as ingredients in foods without first cooking them, increasing their risk of exposure to harmful viruses. The sampling assignment began in November and is estimated to last approximately 18 months. FDA is collecting domestic samples of frozen berries and is also collecting import samples from ports of entry, importer warehouses, or other storage facilities where foreign goods are cleared for entry into the country. The agency plans to collect and test 2,000 samples in all.
U.S. Beef Gains Full Access to Japan
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced on May 17 that the U.S. and Japan have agreed on new terms and conditions that eliminate Japan’s longstanding restrictions on U.S. beef exports. Secretary Perdue met with Japanese government officials and affirmed the importance of science-based trade rules. The new terms, which take effect immediately, allow U.S. products from all cattle, regardless of age, to enter Japan for the first time since 2003. “We are hopeful that Japan’s decision will help lead other markets around the world toward science-based policies,” says Secretary Perdue. USDA estimates that this expanded access could increase U.S. beef and beef product exports to Japan by up to $200 million annually. The agreement is also an important step in normalizing trade with Japan, as Japan further aligns its import requirements with international standards for bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
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