Summary

GAO discussed the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) Performance-Based Inspection System (PBIS), its interim automated system for managing meat and poultry processing plant inspections, involving individual plant information profiles and monitoring plans, inspection scheduling, and an inspection findings database. GAO noted that FSIS: (1) lacked formal mechanisms for tracking system progress and costs; (2) could not implement an inspection coverage component that could have reduced inspection frequency; (3) did not systematically evaluate PBIS-generated inspection schedules to determine their reasonableness and adequacy; (4) lacked a formal testing plan with measurable objectives, criteria, and required performance data to evaluate PBIS; (5) did not use formal, quantitative risk assessments in developing PBIS; and (6) did not apply any of the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) established management controls for the development of automated systems in developing PBIS. GAO also noted that FSIS initiatives to address PBIS equipment, software, and system limitations included: (1) developing a more flexible system for inspectors to exercise their independent judgment; (2) reporting positive as well as negative inspection findings; (3) reexamining inspection level rules; and (4) exploring methods to speed up system processing.