Articles in this document:

· FSIS Issues Notice to Begin Routine Sampling of Raw Ground Beef Components

· FSIS Issues New Instructions for Multiple Follow-up Sampling Following Positive E. coli O157:H7 Result

· FSIS Issues Notice Clarifying Scheduling of Food Safety Assessments

FSIS Issues Notice to Begin Routine Sampling of Raw Ground Beef Components

American Meat Institute

Friday, November 7, 2008

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS or the agency) has issued Notice 80-08, which informs program personnel that they are to begin routine sampling of raw ground beef components (including raw beef patty components) other than trimmings for E. coli O157:H7 when they receive a sample request form (FSIS Form 10,210-3) with the MT54 project code.

Agency personnel are to collect samples from slaughter establishments. When the automated import information system (AIIS) requests a sample of beef manufacturing trimmings or other specified raw ground beef component for E. coli O157:H7 testing, import personnel are to sample the product identified in AIIS, using the MT51 code on the sampling request form. This product is adulterated if it tests positive for E. coli O157:H7.

This notice is being issued as part of FSIS’ risk-based sampling program for E. coli O157:H7. FSIS inspection program personnel already conduct routine sampling of beef manufacturing trimmings under FSIS Notice 18-07.

To view this notice, click here: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/80-08.pdf

meatami.com

FSIS Issues New Instructions for Multiple Follow-up Sampling Following Positive E. coli O157:H7 Result

Friday, November 7, 2008

(American Meat Institute)

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued new instructions (Notice 79-08) for multiple follow-up samples of raw ground beef, raw ground beef trimmings, and other raw ground beef and raw beef patty components in response to an FSIS positive E. coli O157:H7 result or another federal or state entity’s positive E. coli O157:H7 result.

FSIS is implementing multiple follow-up samples in response to a positive E. coli O157:H7 result because analysis of E. coli O157:H7 sample data from 2000 through 2005 shows that plants are more likely to have a second positive sample if they have had a positive sample within the preceding 120 days.

To view this notice, click here: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/79-08.pdf

meatami.com

FSIS Issues Notice Clarifying Scheduling of Food Safety Assessments

Friday, November 7, 2008

(American Meat Institute)

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued notice 78-08, which clarifies when District Office (DO) personnel are to schedule Enforcement, Investigations, and Analysis Officers (EIAOs) to conduct Food Safety Assessments (FSAs) and Intensified Verification Testing (IVT) in response to a positive pathogen result in FSIS product testing.

According to the notice, a DO should schedule an EIAO to conduct an FSA within 30 days of being notified:

1. of an FSIS ready-to-eat (RTE) product sample for ALLRTE, RTE001, or EM31 that tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes(Lm), E. coli O157:H7, or Salmonella;

2. of an FSIS sample of raw beef product that tested positive for E. coli O157:H7;

3. that another government entity has identified Lm, E. coli O157:H7, or Salmonella in RTE product or E. coli O157:H7 in raw beef product; or

4. by the in-plant inspection team that they have documented repetitive occurrences of noncompliance in the establishment’s Lm control program, including sanitation issues.

To view this notice, click here: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/78-08.pdf

meatami.com