Source:  Ann Bagel Storck, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 4/21/10

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service this summer will repeat its Food Defense Plan Survey, used to determine how many slaughter and processing plants have voluntarily adopted a functional food defense plan, but in the meantime establishments can download a general plan from FSIS.

To get a copy of the general food defense plan, click here.  

By reviewing the document and signing the cover page, processors will be able to answer "yes" in the next survey, scheduled for July, when FSIS inspection personnel ask if they have a food defense plan.

At least 90 percent of regulated industry would need to have a voluntary plan in place to prevent rulemaking that would make food defense plans mandatory. Results from the December 2009 Food Defense Plan Survey indicated about 62 percent of all plants have adopted plans.

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