Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 4/17/17


The USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) last week said the agency wants to move forward with a “Modernization of Pork Slaughter” rule, according to a report by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). 

Like the system already implemented in the chicken industry, the pork version, also a result of the years-long HACCP Inspection Models Project (HIMP), aims to help FSIS focus its inspection resources in processing plants and improve food safety.

NPPC strongly supports the initiative, saying it would increase efficiency and effectiveness of the federal inspection process and allow for the rapid adoption of new food safety technologies in pork slaughter. It also has the potential to increase U.S. hog slaughter capacity, the group noted.

Five U.S. pork packing plants currently are participating in HIMP pilot projects. Enactment of a modernization rule would make the system available to all packers.

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