Source: USDA, 12/13/13
 
FSIS issued FSIS Notice 81-13, which provides instructions to inspection program personnel (IPP) that clarify what product they are to sample under the beef manufacturing trimmings and the bench trim sampling programs. Additionally, the notice expands sampling eligibility to include source materials intended for use in any raw non-intact beef product. Previously, sampling eligibility was limited to source materials intended for use in raw ground beef products.

This notice responds to an Office of Inspector General (OIG) audit concerning FSIS testing of boxed beef. OIG found that FSIS did not consistently sample establishments that receive purchased products, e.g., primal and subprimal cuts that establishments used as-is to make raw ground beef products. This notice clarifies that primal or subprimal cuts further processors receive and use for raw ground beef products or other raw non-intact products are considered bench trim and are subject to sampling under MT55.
This notice has a delayed implementation date of Jan. 5, 2014, to provide IPP adequate time to review and understand the instructions in this notice.

To view the notice in its entirety, visit http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/0885827b-c8a3-4ef3-b225-0bb9b1464989/81-13.pdf?MOD=AJPERES