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FSIS Provides Latest Testing Results
for E. coli O157:H7 on Raw Ground Beef
FSIS regularly samples raw beef from establishments and
tests for the presence of E. coli O157:H7 at its laboratories.
The table below reports year-to-date information for 2007 and 2008
for raw ground beef. Raw ground beef components will be added starting
next week. |
|
| Results
from Analysis of Raw Ground beef Samples for E. coli
O157:H7 |
| Source |
As
of June 17, 2007 |
As
of June 15, 2008 |
No.
Ana- lyzed |
No.
Positive |
Percent
Positive |
No.
Ana- lyzed
|
No.
Positive |
Percent
Positive |
Federal
Plants |
5,409 |
8 |
0.15% |
5,471
|
11 |
0.20% |
| Retail Stores |
91 |
0 |
0.00% |
202 |
0 |
0.00% |
|
|
The number of E. coli O157:H7 positive
results are higher as of June 15 this year than by the same week of
2007.
There have been two changes this year that might have influenced these
results. First, the laboratories are using a new enrichment broth.
FSIS believes the new procedure allows for recovery of a greater number
of pathogenic organisms in some samples; therefore, there may be some
increase in the number of E. coli O157:H7-positive samples
found by FSIS laboratories. For more information about this change,
see the FSIS Constituent
Update dated January 25.
Second, using a risk-based algorithm, a larger proportion of samples
are now collected at establishments considered to be at higher risk
for E. coli O157:H7 contamination.
FSIS will continue to monitor these results to assess whether the
numbers continue to be elevated.
Positive results are reported on FSIS' Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/
2008_Ecoli_Positive_Results/index.asp.
FSIS will also begin summarizing laboratory test results for E.
coli O157:H7 in the FSIS Constituent Update.
FSIS to Hold Regulatory Education Workshop in Philadelphia
FSIS will hold a regulatory education workshop for owners and operators
of small and very small plants in Philadelphia on June 25 as part
of the Agency's outreach to these establishments.
The workshop will cover a variety of topics and prerequisite programs,
including hazard analysis and critical control points, sanitation
performance standards, sanitation standard operating procedures, rules
of practice, food defense strategies, E. coli O157:H7 workshops
and the following notices:
- 65-07, Notice of Reassessment for Escherichia coli O157:H7
Control and Completion of a Checklist for all Beef Operations;
- 66-07, Multiple Follow-Up Sampling After FSIS Positive Escherichia
coli O157:H7 Results; and
- 68-07, Routine Sampling and Testing of Raw Ground Beef Components
Other Than Trim and Imported Raw Ground Beef Components for Escherichia
coli O157:H7.
The June 25 session will be held at the Holiday Inn - Historic District,
400 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
To register by phone, call (800) 336-3747. Online registration forms
and information about upcoming sessions can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
Outreach_Sessions_SVS_Plants/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
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Taiwan
Complete information can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
FSIS Issues Directives
FSIS published Directive 5000.2 Revision 1, Review of Establishment
Testing Data by Inspection Program Personnel on June 19.
The purpose of this directive is to clarify that inspection program
personnel have access to a wide range of records under the Hazard
Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations (9 CFR part
417) and that they are to use that access to review certain types
of records on a regular basis.
This directive does not address Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures
(Sanitation SOPs) records verification. All instructions related to
verification of Sanitation SOP records are addressed in FSIS Directive
5000.1, Chapter I: Verifying an Establishment's Food Safety System.
However, this document cancels Directive 5000.2: Review of Establishment
Data by Inspection Program Personnel dated March 3, 2004.
The Agency also published Directive 8410.1, Revision 5 titled Detention
and Seizure on June 19.
This directive provides the procedures that FSIS program personnel
are to follow when detaining or preparing a recommendation to seize,
meat, poultry or processed egg products found in commerce when there
is reason to believe that products are adulterated, misbranded or
otherwise in violation of the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry
Products Inspection Act or the Egg Products Inspection Act.
This document cancels Directive 8410.1, Revision 4, Detention
and Seizure dated September 4, 2007. The Agency reissued this
directive in its entirety to incorporate instructions related to the
In-Commerce System.
To view these directives, visit www.fsis.usda.gov/
regulations_&_policies/5000_Series-Program_Services/index.asp.
Food Defense Plans
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.
A documented set of procedures will improve an establishment's ability
to respond quickly. A food defense plan also helps to maintain a safe
working environment for employees, provide a quality product to customers,
and be particularly helpful during emergencies.
Visit FSIS' Web site at https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080916224658/http://askfsis.custhelp.com
and select "Food Defense Plans in FSIS Inspected Facilitates"
to review common questions and answers.
Also be sure to visit www.fsis.usda.gov/Food_Defense_&_Emergency_Response/
Guidance_Materials/index.asp to review guidelines for completing
a functional food defense plan. |
Last Modified:
June 20, 2008 |
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