Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113; FAX: (202) 690-0460
Matt Baun

FSIS Announces Series Of Workshops To Discuss Implementation Of Listeria Rule

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21, 2003—USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced that it is holding five workshops from September and October, 2003, to discuss the upcoming implementation of the interim final rule, “Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Products.” The rule is scheduled for implementation on October 6, 2003.

The provisions of the rule require official establishments that produce certain ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products to take additional steps control product adulteration by the pathogenic environmental contaminant Listeria monocytogenes.

These interactive workshops are particularly geared to the needs of small and very small plants and will provide a forum to discuss the new regulations. Key elements of the implementation of the final rule will be addressed. 

FSIS has held similar workshops in the past for small and very small plants as a means of helping this segment of the industry, which may have fewer resources than large plants, to comply with FSIS requirements.

To register, please contact Sheila Johnson at (202) 690-6498 or sheila.johnson@fsis.usda.gov.  Persons requiring a sign language interpreter or other special accommodations should notify Sheila Johnson at the above number. A federal register notice announcing this meeting will be published at available at www.fsis.usda.gov.

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NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov.

For Further Information, Contact:
FSIS Congressional and Public Affairs Staff
Phone: (202) 720-9113
Fax: (202) 690-0460

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