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Final Rule Makes Retail Lists Available to Consumers During Recalls
Secretary Ed Schafer announced today that USDA will make public retail stores that have received products that are
subject to a Class I recall starting next month.
"The identity of retail stores with recalled meat and poultry from their suppliers has always been a missing
piece of information for the public during a recall," said Schafer. "People want to know if they need to
be on the lookout for recalled meat and poultry from their local store and by providing lists of retail
outlets during recalls, USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service will improve public health protection by
better informing consumers."
FSIS will post on its Web site a list of retail consignees that received products subject to Class I recalls,
the highest risk category, generally within three to ten business days of issuing the recall release.
FSIS will not identify distribution centers, institutions or restaurants, since they prepare food for
immediate consumption without packaging that may be identifiable or available to consumers. However,
retail stores to include supermarkets or other grocery stores, convenience stores, meat markets,
wholesale clubs and supercenters will be identified.
The list of retail stores and locations compiled by FSIS personnel during recall effectiveness checks
will be posted on FSIS' Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov and shared with state and local public health
officials where the retail stores are located.
The combination of information about the recalled product and a list of retail destinations will provide
a stronger message to consumers who generally rely on media and government sources for information about
food safety.
To view the related press release, visit
www.usda.gov/2008/07/0183.xml.
FSIS Updates E. coli O157:H7 Reports
FSIS' E. coli O157:H7 testing data has been updated to include information through July 6, 2008.
The table below reports year-to-date information for the current year and one year prior for
raw ground beef and raw ground beef components. The raw ground beef category has data for federal
plants and retail stores, and the raw ground beef components category has data for federal plants and imports.
|
|
| Results
from Analysis of Raw Ground Beef and Raw Ground Beef Component Samples for E. coli
O157:H7 |
| Raw Ground Beef |
| Source |
As of July 8, 2007 |
As of July 6, 2008 |
No.
Ana- lyzed |
No.
Positive |
Percent
Positive |
No.
Ana- lyzed
|
No.
Positive |
Percent
Positive |
Federal
Plants |
5,914 |
14 |
0.24 |
6,085 |
17 |
0.28 |
| Retail Stores |
99 |
0 |
0.00 |
239 |
0 |
0.00 |
| Raw Ground Beef Components |
| Source |
As of July 8, 2007 |
As of July 6, 2008 |
No.
Ana- lyzed |
No.
Positive |
Percent
Positive |
No.
Ana- lyzed
|
No.
Positive |
Percent
Positive |
Federal
Plants |
217 |
2 |
0.92 |
932 |
2 |
0.21 |
| Imports |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
276 |
0 |
0.00 |
| The above information is based upon data in the FSIS electronic data system as of July 8, 2008. |
|
|
Positive raw ground beef test results for federal plants continue to be slightly higher than last year
(17 in CY08 versus 14 in CY07). The majority of product that tests positive is identified while the product is
still held at the establishment. In these cases, the contaminated raw product does not enter the
commercial food supply as raw ground beef. Establishments may divert contaminated product to cooking which kills the
E. coli bacteria.
If the product is released before the positive test result is found, a recall is likely to occur. To date,
FSIS testing in 2008 has resulted in one recall due to a positive test result. In comparison, there was
also one recall that occurred as a result of FSIS testing at this point in 2007.
Other recalls have occurred as a result of outcomes from testing programs run by the establishment or due to
human illness. Information about recalls can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/Fsis_Recalls/index.asp.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following:
- Cuba
- Hong Kong
- Indonesia
- Republic of Korea
Complete information can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
Register to Attend the 2008 Meat and Poultry Inspection Seminars for International Government Officials
FSIS will host the second of three meat and poultry inspection seminars for international officials in
Texas between August 4 and 15.
This two-week seminar will be held at the Texas A&M University, AgriLife Center Extension and Research facility in
Amarillo, Texas and will provide substantial information for senior international government officials focusing
on verification and enforcement of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point and pathogen reduction regulations.
The intention of these seminars is to familiarize international government officials with inspection regulations
and procedures used by USDA to assure that the nation's meat, poultry and processed egg products are safe,
wholesome and properly labeled.
Other topics and activities include foreign inspection program equivalence as well as field trips to import and
export locations and processing and slaughter plants. For more information regarding the seminars, visit FSIS'
Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
2008_Meat_&_Poultry_Inspection_Seminars/index.asp.
FSIS Issues Notices and Directives
The Agency issued Directive 5100.1, Revision 2 titled Enforcement, Investigations and Analysis Officer (EIAO)
Comprehensive Food Safety Assessment Methodology (PDF Only) on July 10.
The purpose of this directive is to provide instructions to EIAOs of the methodology that should be used when
they conduct comprehensive food safety assessments. It also details how to document findings and cancels
Directive 5100.1 titled Enforcement, Investigations and Analysis (EIAO) Comprehensive Food Safety Assessment Methodology
issued September 30, 2005.
FSIS also issued Notice 46-08 titled Export of Beef and Beef Products to Korea
(PDF Only) on July 10.
This document explains what products are eligible or ineligible for export to Korea and illustrates certification
requirements. The notice also describes that a statement of verification letter is no longer required to accompany
exported beef and beef products to Korea if the slaughter dates are on or after the establishment's quality system
assessment program approval date.
Directives and notices are available on FSIS' Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/index.asp.
Food Defense Plans
FSIS released a podcast titled "Developing Food Defense Plans" this week to help plant owners and
operators to learn the importance of developing a solid plan through a three step process.
A food defense plan also helps to maintain a safe working environment for employees, provide a quality product to
customers and is particularly helpful during emergencies.
FSIS will conduct a survey on August 1 to determine how many FSIS-regulated slaughter and processing plants have
voluntarily adopted functional food defense plans.
Visit FSIS' Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
Food_Safety_Inspection_Podcasts/index.asp
to review this helpful resource.
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Last Modified:
July 11, 2008 |
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