FSIS to stand firm with key E. coli policies for now - pitiful

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Typical for the beef industry. Rules are: no rules!

 

 

 

 

 

Food Safety

 

FSIS to stand firm with key E. coli policies for now: Raymond

 

 

 

By Ann Bagel Storck on 6/26/2008 for Meatingplace.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite recent public meetings and calls from some industry groups for change, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service is standing firm with some of its key policies regarding E. coli O157:H7 right now, USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Richard Raymond told the executive committee of the North American Meat Processors Association, according to NAMP.One issue at hand is broadening the definition of E. coli as an adulterant, which was discussed during a public forum in April. (See FSIS outlines why it might broaden definition of E. coli as adulterant on Meatingplace.com,

April 10, 2008.) NAMP expressed industry concerns about expanding the E. coli policy to declare it an adulterant in intact beef products, and Raymond told the group that while FSIS is exploring the idea, it is not developing a new policy at this time.Another concern is whether FSIS should implement a mandatory test-and-hold policy, which would require companies to hold product tested by FSIS until the agency returns test results. Currently, USDA does not require meat processors to test and hold, though some do so voluntarily. Although other groups such as the American Meat Institute have spoken out in favor of such a change (See AMI urges USDA to require test-and-hold on Meatingplace.com, June 4, 2008.), NAMP has urged FSIS to keep test-and-hold voluntary. Raymond told NAMP's executive committee the agency is not currently considering a

mandatory test-and-hold policy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight - Albert Schweitzer