Source:  Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 4/5/11

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today proposed a requirement for beef, pork and poultry processors to hold finished products from commerce until the results of tests for harmful substances have come back.

Acting on a petition that the American Meat Institute submitted to the agency in 2008 and the priorities identified by the Obama administration’s Food Safety Working Group, the proposal would give the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) the authority to hold the products until FSIS test results are received. FSIS believes that 44 Class I recalls issued between 2007 and 2009 could have been prevented if the so-called test-and-hold procedure had been in place.

“There also are implications at U.S. points of entry,” USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said, in a conference call briefing the media on the proposal. “We will be holding [products] at points of entry, which will make imported food more safe as well. We’re creating a food safety system that will meet the challenges of the 21st century.

“The beauty of this proposal is that the industry has embraced it,” he said.

Industry response
“We are pleased that USDA has indicated that it will make mandatory our voluntary test and control procedures,” AMI President J. Patrick Boyle said in a statement. “We believe that this policy will prevent needless recalls, further ensure food safety, and maintain consumer confidence.”

Most large processors already have test-and-hold policies in place. The USDA’s target is mostly small and very small processors who deliver product before the test results are back. In response to a reporter’s question, Vilsack said the agency doesn’t know what percentage of the industry’s companies do not already test-and-hold.

"NAMP supports the proposed change in the FSIS 'test and hold' policy, and has encouraged our members for many years now to follow 'test and hold' practices to better protect consumers and their businesses," Phil Kimball, executive director of the North American Meat Processors Association, said in a statement provided to Meatingplace. "As we analyze the policy put forth by FSIS, we want to ensure that FSIS works with processors, particularly small and very small processors of fresh products, to ensure that representative samples can be taken without disrupting the company’s ability to fill their daily orders."

Jay B. Wenther, executive director of American Association of Meat Processors, said in a statement provided to Meatingplace, "AAMP has been in support of this prudent business practice .... While the proposed rule may have potential long term positive results for the meat industry and consumers, some processors may struggle as the details of the proposed regulation become known and are enforced. AAMP will be submitting detailed comments in the near future regarding this proposed rule to address concerns and potential hardships on independent meat processors."

To read the proposal
An advance copy of the proposal submitted to the Federal Register is available here. 
Once the notice is published in the Federal Register, comments must be received on or before 90 days, and may be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal, or by mail to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, FSIS Docket Clerk, Room 2-2127, George Washington Carver Center, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., Mailstop 5272, Beltsville, MD 20705. All comments must identify FSIS and docket number FSIS-2006-0044.

In a subsequent Federal Register notice, the agency will respond to those comments, make appropriate changes to the policy and procedures and announce the effective date of the new policy.