FSIS Accepting Comments on Test and Hold Policy

On April 15, 2011, in Regulatory, by Maggie Ernst

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) formally published this week its proposed mandatory test and hold policy for specific meat and poultry products, as expected.  FSIS is now accepting public comments on its proposed policy change, which must be received by July 11.  After evaluating the comments, FSIS will respond in a separate Federal Register notice and will announce the effective date of the new policy. Regarding poultry products, the new test and hold policy will apply only to ready-to-eat products tested for Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella, as well as ready-to-eat products that passed over food contact surfaces that have been tested for the presence of these microorganisms.  A copy of the Federal Register notice is available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/pdf/2011-8408.pdf.