United States-New food safety laws.

UNITED STATES-NEW MEAT SAFETY LAWS.

USDA’s Food Service and Inspection Service has reissued notices on humane handling activities in livestock slaughter establishments, follow-up sampling of raw ground beef after a positive E. coli O157:H7 test and routine sampling of beef trimmings intended for use in raw ground beef.

The following notices have been reissued:

Notice 21-09, Humane Handling Activities and Documentation in Livestock Slaughter Establishments, is a reissuance of FSIS Notice 16-08 and guides Public Health Veterinarians (PHVs) and other inspectors in how to conduct humane handling activities randomly. The notice also instructs PHVs to encourage establishments to develop and implement a systematic approach for the humane handling of animals.

Notice 22-09, Follow-Up Sampling of Certain Raw Ground Beef Products After An FSIS Verification Sample Tests Positive for E. coli O157:H7, is a reissuance of FSIS Notice 17-07 and instructs FSIS inspectors how to perform routine follow-up sampling at the slaughter facilities that produced and supplied the carcasses from which were derived the beef components used in the raw ground beef products that tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. This sampling is a follow-up to the FSIS verification sampling at establishments that grind beef or at retail stores.

Notice 23-09, Routine Sampling of Beef Manufacturing Trimmings Intended for Use in Raw Ground Beef, is a reissuance of FSIS Notice 18-07 and instructs inspectors on how to conduct routine verification sampling of beef manufacturing trimmings intended for use in raw ground beef or beef patty products at the slaughter establishments that produced those trimmings.

FSIS notices generally expire after one year and must be reissued. Any revisions would be contained in the beginning of the notice.