Source: USDA, 5/2/14
 
FSIS and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently came together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Through this agreement, the two agencies will provide a more comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to address foodborne health hazards potentially associated with meat and poultry products.

This MOU will document the procedures and responsibilities under the collaborative effort between APHIS and FSIS in assessing root cause in outbreaks of foodborne illness in humans. It will facilitate the sharing of information between agencies and assist in making science-based decisions on mitigation or intervention strategies.

The MOU outlines mutual roles and responsibilities for the training of personnel and the planning of interagency assessment of FSIS-regulated establishments as part of foodborne illness investigations and health hazard evaluations. The MOU does not modify any existing interagency collaborative work.

To read the MOU, visit http://go.usa.gov/kF2R.