[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 188 (Friday, September 27, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61109-61110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-24579]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Diseases Transmitted Through the Food Supply

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice of annual update of list of infectious and communicable 
diseases that are transmitted through handling the food supply and the 
methods by which such diseases are transmitted.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Section 103(d) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 
Public Law 101-336, requires the Secretary to publish a list of 
infectious and communicable diseases that are transmitted through 
handling the food supply and to review and update the list annually. 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a final 
list on August 16, 1991 (56 FR 40897) and updates on September 8, 1992 
(57 FR 40917); January 13, 1994 (59 FR 1949); August 15, 1996 (61 FR 
42426); September 22, 1997 (62 FR 49518-9); September 15, 1998 (63 FR 
49359), September 21, 1999 (64 FR 51127); September 27, 2000 (65 FR 
58088) and September 10, 2001 (66 FR 47030). The final list has been 
reviewed in light of new information and has been revised as set forth 
below.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 27, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Art Liang, National Center for 
Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 
1600 Clifton Road, NE., Mailstop G-24, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, 
telephone (404) 639-2213.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 103(d) of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. 12113(d), requires the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services to:
    1. Review all infectious and communicable diseases which may be 
transmitted through handling the food supply;
    2. Publish a list of infectious and communicable diseases which are 
transmitted through handling the food supply;
    3. Publish the methods by which such diseases are transmitted; and,
    4. Widely disseminate such information regarding the list of 
diseases and their modes of transmissibility to the general public.
    Additionally, the list is to be updated annually.
    Since the last publication of the list on September 10, 2001(66 FR 
47030), new information has been reviewed. Caliciviruses (Norwalk and 
Norwalk-like viruses), previously listed in Part I, are now identified 
as Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses so as to avoid any confusion with 
animal caliciviruses which have not been demonstrated to cause 
foodborne illness in humans.

I. Pathogens Often Transmitted by Food Contaminated by Infected Persons 
Who Handle Food, and Modes of Transmission of Such Pathogens

    The contamination of raw ingredients from infected food-producing 
animals and cross-contamination during processing are more prevalent 
causes of foodborne disease than is contamination of foods by persons 
with infectious or contagious diseases. However, some pathogens are 
frequently transmitted by food contaminated by infected persons. The 
presence of any one of the following signs or symptoms in persons who 
handle food may indicate infection by a pathogen that could be 
transmitted to others through handling the food supply: Diarrhea, 
vomiting, open skin sores, boils, fever, dark urine, or jaundice. The 
failure of food-handlers to wash hands (in situations such as after 
using the toilet, handling raw meat, cleaning spills, or carrying 
garbage, for example), wear clean gloves, or use clean utensils is 
responsible for the foodborne transmission of these pathogens. Non-
foodborne routes of transmission, such as from one person to another, 
are also major contributors in the spread of these pathogens. Pathogens 
that can cause diseases after an infected person handles food are the 
following: Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses, Hepatitis A virus, 
Salmonella typhi, Shigella species, Staphylococcus aureus, 
Streptococcus pyogenes.

II. Pathogens Occasionally Transmitted by Food Contaminated by Infected 
Persons Who Handle Food, But Usually Transmitted by Contamination at 
the Source or in Food Processing or by Non-foodborne Routes

    Other pathogens are occasionally transmitted by infected persons 
who handle food, but usually cause disease when food is intrinsically 
contaminated or cross-contaminated during processing or preparation. 
Bacterial pathogens in this category often require a period of 
temperature abuse to permit their multiplication to an infectious dose 
before they will cause disease in consumers. Preventing food contact by 
persons who have an acute diarrheal illness will decrease the risk of 
transmitting the following pathogens: Campylobacter jejuni, 
Cryptosporidium parvum, Entamoeba histolytica, Enterohemorrhagic 
Escherichia coli, Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Giardia lamblia, 
Nontyphoidal Salmonella, Taenia solium, Vibrio cholerae 01, Yersinia 
enterocolitica.

References

    1. World Health Organization. Health surveillance and management 
procedures for food-handling personnel: report of a WHO 
consultation. World Health Organization technical report series; 
785. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1989.
    2. Frank JF, Barnhart HM. Food and dairy sanitation. In: Last 
JM, ed. Maxcy-Rosenau public health and preventive medicine, 12th 
edition. New York Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1986:765-806.
    3. Bennett JV, Holmberg SD, Rogers MF, Solomon SL. Infectious 
and parasitic diseases. In: Amler RW, Dull HB, eds. Closing the gap: 
the burden of unnecessary illness. New York: Oxford University 
Press, 1987:102-114.
    4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Locally acquired 
neurocysticercosis--North Carolina,

[[Page 61110]]

Massachusetts, and South Carolina, 1989-1991. MMWR 1992; 41:1-4.
    5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Foodborne 
Outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis-Spokane, Washington, 1997. MMWR 1998; 
47:27.

    Dated: September 23, 2002.
Joseph R. Carter,
Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 02-24579 Filed 9-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P