USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service outlined recent and upcoming actions it is taking to protect public health against the risk of E. coli O157:H7, including expanded testing and more attention to imported beef and beef products.

Key initiatives targeted to federally inspected plants that produce raw beef products include:

New checklist for verifying control

FSIS inspection program personnel will review both suppliers and processors based on a new checklist, once they complete specialized training beginning the week of Oct. 29.

Data from the checklists will be completed in November and updated quarterly to help the agency more quickly identify significant changes in plants' production controls and ensure the company takes corrective action. FSIS will analyze the checklist data and use it to adjust programs or policies as needed.

Verifying control of E. coli O157:H7

As of November, all beef plants will be expected to verify that they are effectively controlling E. coli O157:H7 during slaughter and processing. USDA has provided the industry with specific examples of minimum controls that would meet the minimum criteria for a "well-controlled" process.

Targeted routine testing

In January 2008, FSIS will begin routine targeted sampling for E. coli O157:H7 at slaughter and grinding facilities. Currently, all plants have an equal chance of being tested. Under this new verification testing program, FSIS will test larger volume operations more frequently than in the past. Data from the checklists will be used to determine testing frequency for establishments.

Testing more domestic and imported ground beef components

FSIS will begin testing materials that are used as components in raw ground beef, in addition to the beef trim already tested. FSIS is also requiring countries whose beef is imported to the United States to conduct the same sampling or an equivalent measure.

Ensuring safety of imported beef products

FSIS has notified countries that export raw beef product to the United States of new policies and programs and is working with them to ensure they implement the same or equivalent measures to protect the public from E. coli O157:H7 risks.

Testing and analyzing trim

FSIS began trim testing in March 2007, not waiting for final analysis of the baseline. By testing earlier in the production chain to identify contaminated beef trim intended for ground beef, FSIS prevents this source from contaminating the ground beef available to consumers. This also gives the agency more data to analyze in determining and implementing the most appropriate actions to reverse upward trends.

More rapid recalls

FSIS now takes into account a broader, more complete range of evidence when evaluating whether to seek a recall or take regulatory action.

Strengthening communications efforts

USDA is stepping up communication with public health partners, industry and consumer representatives and internally with inspection program personnel. These efforts include:

• Working with federal partners such as FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on initiatives such as public meetings on organisms related to food-borne illnesses
• In October and November, FSIS will target outreach and training sessions around the country for small and very small raw beef processors, other stakeholders and FSIS inspection program personnel.
• Later this fall, FSIS plans to convene a meeting of experts and stakeholders to examine the current situation with E. coli O157:H7, factors that may be leading to an increased number of positive test results and recalls and the additional steps that FSIS and the industry can take.
• This winter, FSIS will hold a meeting with its state and local public health partners, FDA, CDC and industry and consumer groups about how to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of outbreak investigations and recalls.

A full list of FSIS actions to reduce E. coli O157:H7 is posted on the FSIS Web site.

By Janie Gabbett on 10/24/2007 for Meatingplace.com