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Despite recent public meetings and calls from some industry
groups for change, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service
is standing firm with some of its key policies regarding
E. coli O157:H7 right now, USDA Under Secretary for Food
Safety Richard Raymond told the executive committee of the
North American Meat Processors Association, according to
NAMP.
One issue at hand is broadening the definition of E. coli
as an adulterant, which was discussed during a public forum
in April. (See FSIS
outlines why it might broaden definition of E. coli as adulterant
on Meatingplace.com , April 10, 2008.)
NAMP expressed industry concerns about expanding the E.
coli policy to declare it an adulterant in intact beef products,
and Raymond told the group that while FSIS is exploring
the idea, it is not developing a new policy at this time.
Another concern is whether FSIS should implement a mandatory
test-and-hold policy, which would require companies to hold
product tested by FSIS until the agency returns test results.
Currently, USDA does not require meat processors to test
and hold, though some do so voluntarily.
Although other groups such as the American Meat Institute
have spoken out in favor of such a change (See AMI
urges USDA to require test-and-hold on Meatingplace.com
, June 4, 2008.), NAMP has urged FSIS to keep test-and-hold
voluntary.
Raymond told NAMP's executive committee the agency is not
currently considering a mandatory test-and-hold policy.
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