Source:  Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 7/11/11

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has announced it will increase the sampling frequency for E. coli O157:H7 in raw ground beef during August and September this year to meet agency sampling goals.

In the Federal Register, FSIS Notice 36-11 explains that FSIS noticed a drop in the number of samples that the agency collects and analyzes. To meet FSIS sampling goals, the agency will increase the number of samples collected from ground beef establishments with production volumes of at least 50,000 pounds per day during August and September 2011.

“Past risk assessments have shown that these establishments represent the greatest risk for E. coli O157:H7 contamination on a per serving basis,” according to the notice.

To achieve the increase in sampling, the following monthly rates have been adjusted:
•    Up to 6 times within a 30-day window for establishments with ground beef product production volumes of greater than 250,000 pounds per day.
•    Up to 4 times within a 30-day window for establishments with ground beef product production volumes of 50,000 to 250,000 pounds per day.
•    No changes for establishments with ground beef product production volumes of less than 50,000 pounds per day.
 

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