Source: USDA FSIS, 9/4/15

FSIS has developed a guidance document “Sanitary Dressing and Antimicrobial Implementation at Veal Slaughter

Establishments:  Identified Issues and Best Practices for Veal Slaughter Establishments.” FSIS developed the guidance to help veal slaughter establishments to implement effective sanitary dressing procedures and antimicrobial treatments and to properly assess microbial testing results. In the coming weeks, FSIS will mail copies of this document directly to veal slaughter establishments.

FSIS test results show that the percent positive for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) from trimmings produced from veal appears to be higher than that for trimmings produced from other cattle slaughter classes. FSIS identified common deficiencies: inadequate sanitary dressing, ineffective antimicrobial intervention implementation, and failure to use microbial data in decision making. The guidance document discusses identified deficiencies and best practices.

The guidance is available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/ca5da196-7d99-453e-afcd-ccd3321ec131/Veal-Sampling-092015.pdf?MOD=AJPERES.