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FSIS Publishes Final Rule Prohibiting Processing of "Downer" Cattle
FSIS issued a news release on July 12 announcing a permanent
prohibition on the slaughter of cattle that are unable to stand or walk ("downer" cattle)
when presented for pre-slaughter inspection. The inability to stand or walk can be a clinical sign of
bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).
The rule, which was published in the Federal Register on July 13, combines and makes permanent
two interim final rules that had been in effect since January 12, 2004. Those rules prohibited for
human consumption non-ambulatory "downer" cattle and cattle tissue identified as specified
risk materials (SRMs); and banned the use of high-pressure stunning devices that could drive
SRM tissue into the meat. The final rule becomes effective on October 1.
A third interim final rule that established requirements for Advanced Meat Recovery systems will be
finalized
separately.
"This final rule further strengthens our public health controls at slaughter plants across the
United States," said Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard Raymond. "Less than three
weeks after the December 2003 BSE detection in an imported cow, USDA moved quickly and decisively
to put in place interim rules that greatly reduced the risk of human exposure. Experience has borne-out
that these interim steps were correct and should be made permanent."
Under the rule, cattle that are injured after they pass pre-slaughter inspection will be re-evaluated to
determine their eligibility for slaughter. Veal calves that cannot stand because they are tired or cold
may be set apart and held for treatment and re-inspection.
The rule requires that spinal cord must be removed from cattle 30 months of age and older at the place of
slaughter. It also mandates that records must be maintained when beef products containing SRMs are moved
from one federally inspected establishment to another for further processing.
Countries that have received the internationally recognized BSE status of "negligible risk" are
not required to remove SRMs because their system controls prevent the introduction and spread of BSE.
FSIS will conduct outreach sessions with industry to ensure that the provisions of the final rule are fully
understood by all affected establishments.
The final rule is available on FSIS' Web site at
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081031023218/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Federal_Register_Publications_&_Related_Documents/
index.asp.
State of New Mexico to Come Under Federal Inspection
FSIS published a final rule on July 13 in the Federal Register, titled, Designation of the State of New
Mexico under the Federal Meat Inspection Act and Poultry Products Inspection Act.
The rule announces that FSIS is designating New Mexico as a state to receive federal inspection for meat
and poultry products.
The final rule, which is effective on August 13, is available on FSIS' Web site at
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081031023218/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Frame/FrameRedirect.asp?main=
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081031023218/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/2007-0023.htm.
FSIS to Hold Meeting on Public Health-Based Slaughter Inspection
FSIS will hold a public meeting on August 7 to discuss public health-based slaughter inspection. This
meeting will address Campylobacter, Salmonella and other public health concerns.
The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the George Mason University, School of Public Policy,
3401 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22201.
The George Mason University campus is located near the Virginia Square Metro Station on Metro's Orange Line
for participants attending in person. In addition, the agency is planning to establish an audio conference
for participants outside of the Washington, D.C., area.
An agenda for the meeting has been posted to
FSIS' Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov. Phone-in and registration information or changes to the agenda or
location for the meeting will also be posted on the Web site.
Look for more information on FSIS' Web site and in future issues of the FSIS Constituent Update.
NACMCF Subcommittees to Hold Public Meetings
The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) subcommittees will hold
public meetings in August.
The subcommittee on the Determination of the Most Appropriate Technologies for the FSIS to Adopt in
Performing Routine and Baseline Microbiological Analyses will hold public meetings on August 6, from
1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; August 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and August 8, from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
The purpose of these meetings is to develop guidance and recommendations for FSIS to consider on
improving laboratory and in-plant testing methods for pathogens and indicator organisms.
This project will assist the agency with its goal of moving into the next generation of microbiological
testing methods and will focus on exploring the utility of new technologies.
The subcommittee on the Assessment of the Food Safety Importance of Mycobacterium avium subspecies
paratuberculosis will hold public meetings on August 21-23, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The purpose of these meetings is to continue discussions toward determining the potential for transmission of
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, a suspect causative agent for Crohn's
Disease, via foods, and the importance of this organism as a food safety concern.
The subcommittee on Parameters for Inoculated Pack/Challenge Study Protocols will hold public meetings on
August 30-31, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The purpose of these meetings is to begin discussions toward the development of recommendations for the
appropriate criteria for inoculated pack/challenge studies and to determine if a food requires
time/temperature control for food safety.
The discussions will also include the appropriate uses of mathematical growth and inactivation models.
All of the meetings will be held at the Aerospace Building, 901 D Street, SW., Room 369, Washington, D.C.
To register, contact Sharon Oatman at (202) 690-6556 or Sharon.Oatman@fsis.usda.gov.
For security reasons, all persons wishing to attend must register in advance.
FSIS to Hold Regulatory Education Sessions in Dallas, New Mexico and Illinois
FSIS will hold regulatory educations session on July 17 and 18 in Dallas, New Mexico and Illinois for the
owners and operators of small and very small plants.
The July 17 session will cover a regulatory walk-through of sanitation standard operating procedures,
hazard analysis and critical control point and rules of practice regulations. This session will be held
from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Crowne Plaza Suites Dallas Park Central, 7800 Alpha Road, Dallas, Texas.
The July 18 sessions will be held at the following locations:
- Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown Hotel, 2600 Louisiana Blvd, NE., Albuquerque, N.M., from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
This session will cover a regulatory walk-through of sanitation performance standard regulations and food defense.
- Holiday Inn Oak Brook Hotel, 17 West 350 22nd Street, Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
This session will cover a regulatory walk-through of sanitation standard operating procedures, hazard
analysis and critical control point and rules of practice regulations.
To register by phone, call (800) 336-3747.
Online registration forms and information about upcoming sessions can be found at
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081031023218/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
Outreach_Sessions_SVS_Plants/index.asp.
FSIS Issues Notice and Directive
FSIS issued Notice 42-07 on July 11 titled, Contents of Noncompliance Records. The
notice provides clarification to
FSIS inspection program personnel on standardized language or "tag lines" used on FSIS Form 5400-4,
Noncompliance Record.
The agency issued this notice in response to questions that have been raised through supervisory channels
and in Food Safety Regulatory Essentials classes.
Inspection program personnel are not to use standard phrases that attempt to characterize the public health
context of the noncompliance. The language must cite specific regulations with which the establishment
has failed to comply and provide a description of the event that constitutes the noncompliance.
The agency also issued Directive 10,800.1 on July 12 titled, Procedures for Residue Sampling, Testing, and
Other Responsibilities for the National Residue Program.
This directive
instructs inspection program personnel about how to perform residue sampling, testing and verification
procedures in accordance with the National Residue Program.
The notice and directive are available on FSIS' Web site at
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081031023218/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/index.asp.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following:
- Cuba, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, and Taiwan
Complete information can be found at
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081031023218/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
Codex Re-Elects Hulebak as Vice Chairperson
Dr. Karen Hulebak, senior advisor for scientific affairs at FSIS, was re-elected as vice chairperson of the
Codex Alimentarius Commission. This announcement was made during the 29th Session of the Codex Alimentarius
Commission which was held from July 3-7, in Geneva, Switzerland.
Over the past few years, Hulebak's drive and dedication have been noted on several occasions. "The
United States and the international community are fortunate to have someone of Dr. Hulebak's experience and
expertise in this important role," said Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard Raymond. "I
commend Dr. Hulebak for her previous work on Codex issues and look forward to the progress the Commission
will make under her leadership."
Codex was created in 1963 by two United Nations organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
and the World Health Organization (WHO). Codex develops food standards, guidelines and codes of practice in
order to protect the health of consumers, ensure fair food trade practices and promote coordination of food
standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations.
FSIS to Hold Web Seminars for Small and Very Small Plants
FSIS will hold a Web seminar on July 19 as part of its initiative to provide outreach to small and very small plants.
The seminar will review agency compliance guidelines for controlling E. coli O157:H7. The seminar
will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Registrations will be accepted through July 13.
A seminar representative will contact persons who register to attend the week of the seminar with instructions
on how to join the event.
To register by phone, call (800) 336-3747 or send an e-mail to OutreachTSC@fsis.usda.gov.
Online registration forms and information about upcoming Web seminars can be found at
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081031023218/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
Outreach_Sessions_ SVS_Plants/index.asp.
The Big Thaw - Safe Defrosting Methods for Consumers
Uh oh! You're home and forgot to defrost something for dinner. You grab a package of meat or chicken and use
hot water to thaw it fast.
But is this safe? What if you remembered to take food out of the freezer, but forgot and left the package on
the counter all day while you were at work?
Neither of these situations are safe, and these methods of thawing lead to foodborne illness. Food must be
kept at a safe temperature during "the big thaw." Foods are safe indefinitely while frozen.
However, as soon as food begins to defrost and becomes warmer than 40° F, any bacteria that may have been
present before freezing can begin to multiply.
Foods should never be thawed or even stored on the counter, or defrosted in hot water. Food left above 40° F
(unrefrigerated) is not at a safe temperature.
Visit FSIS' Web site at https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081031023218/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/
Big_Thaw/index.asp
to learn more about safe defrosting methods.
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Last Modified:
July 13, 2007 |
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