The key point of IKEs 01-05, 02-05 and 03-05 is that FSIS inspection personnel are to notify plant management in a timely manner prior to RTE product sampling. This notice will give the establishment an opportunity to hold any product that it determines would be implicated if the sample is positive. Because industry processing practices vary from operation to operation, as is demonstrated by the three example scenarios in the IKEs, it is essential that FSIS personnel discuss with the establishment's management how far in advance it is necessary to notify the establishment. This is necessary so that the establishment can arrange its production and have raw materials available to produce and ship non-implicated product pending receipt of the testing results.

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