Source: MEATINGPLACE, 9/20/13


A U.S. senator is asking USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to clarify whether U.S. inspectors will be stationed in Chinese plants where chicken destined for U.S. import will be processed and whether the meat’s country of origin will be identified on consumer products here.

Saying the products could endanger the health and safety of Americans, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, asked Vilsack how the agency plans to address a “labeling gap” that will leave consumers unable to identify whether the chicken in their nuggets, patties or canned soups was processed in China.

USDA recently reaffirmed a 2006 food safety inspection system equivalency standard granting four Chinese poultry processors the ability to ship processed meat into American markets.

In a Sept. 19 letter to Vilsack, Brown said it is his understanding that no Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspectors will be present in Chinese poultry facilities. He asked if FSIS has requested that it be able to station inspectors there. He also asked if FSIS has plans to intensify port-of-entry inspection.

Brown said poultry processed in China might be labeled upon reaching U.S. shores and subject to re-inspection, but said regulatory exemptions for processed poultry and meats allow labeling to be removed before these products are purchased by consumers. He asked Vilsack whether additional regulatory or labeling steps might be taken to ensure Americans are given all available information on supply chain safety and country of origin for both processed and unprocessed meat products.

Brown joins at least two other senators calling for answers about how the chicken processed in China will be monitored and the safety of the products will be ensured.

Brown also questioned whether USDA is working toward approving the shipment of Chinese-origin poultry and other meats, either processed or unprocessed, to the United States.

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