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FSIS Issues Notice on Revising Accredited Laboratory Programs (ALP) Regulations
FSIS is proposing to revise, edit and consolidate provisions of the standards and procedures for the accreditation
of non-Federal analytical chemistry laboratories. FSIS published a proposed rule in the Federal Register
on January 17 titled, "Accredited Laboratory Program." Laboratories in the ALP are accredited to analyze
official meat and poultry samples for specific chemical residues or classes of chemical residues, and moisture,
protein, fat and salt.
The agency proposed this action to amend its current regulations regarding the accreditation of non-Federal
analytical chemistry laboratories to accommodate the adoption of newer methods for analyzing chemical residues
and to correct some data.
In addition, FSIS is proposing to make editorial changes to its accredited laboratory regulations to reflect
Agency reorganizations and program changes and to improve the clarity and consistency of application for all
laboratories participating in the ALP.
Finally, FSIS is proposing to consolidate the accredited laboratory regulations from 9 Code of Federal Regulations
Part 318.21 of the meat inspection regulations and 9 CFR Part 381.153 of the poultry products inspection regulations
into a single new part, 9 CFR Part 439, that is applicable to both meat and poultry establishments.
The Agency is accepting comments until March 20. Comments may be submitted
through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov
or by electronic mail at FSIS.RegulationsComments@usda.gov.
This notice is available on FSIS' Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Frame/FrameRedirect.asp?main=
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/03-020P.htm.
FSIS Conducts Critical Food Defense Exercises
On January 17, USDA issued a news release to announce additional
collaboration efforts with states and private industry to protect the nation's food supply from terrorist threats.
This year, FSIS will conduct five critical food defense exercises. These exercises are designed to practice non-routine
incident reporting while coordinating with all levels of government, non-governmental agencies and the private
sector in an incident command system structure. These exercises will also challenge all participants to collaborate
more closely and become better prepared to keep the food supply safe.
The first exercise took place in Alameda, CA on Jan. 18 and 19. Additional food defense exercises will be
conducted in Raleigh, NC, March 22-23; Chicago, IL, May 17-18; Minneapolis, MN, July 19-20; and Albany, NY,
Sept. 20-21. The agency will eventually conduct similar exercises in all 15 FSIS regional district offices.
FSIS Issues Notice on Re-Examination of Non-Ambulatory Bovines
On January 18, FSIS issued Notice 5-06 to provide inspection program personnel with clarification instructions
related to FSIS Notice 5-04, Interim Guidance for Non-Ambulatory Disabled Cattle and Age Determination.
FSIS has extended the expiration date of Notice 5-04 until February 1, 2007.
This notice instructs inspection program personnel to tag as "U.S. Suspect" any bovine that a public health
veterinarian re-examines because it passed ante mortem inspection, but has become non-ambulatory prior to slaughter.
If the PHV cannot determine that a bovine that became non-ambulatory disabled after passing ante mortem inspection
suffered a specific, acute injury, the bovine is to be tagged as "U.S. Condemned" and cannot enter the
slaughter establishment. This includes bovine previously inspected and passed for ante mortem with restrictions
(i.e., bearing the "U.S. Suspect" tag) that later become non-ambulatory. If, in the professional opinion
of the PHV, the injury was precipitated by a chronic condition, the animal is to be tagged "U.S. Condemned."
This notice is available on FSIS' Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Notice_05-06/index.asp.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following: Cuba; Japan.
Complete information can be found at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/.
Hot Link
Calendars containing meetings for the Under Secretary for Food Safety and Deputy Under Secretary
and the FSIS Administrator and Deputy Administrator will soon be available at
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
Officials_Calendar_of_Meetings/
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Last Modified:
March 28, 2006 |
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