Food Safety and Inspection Service United States Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250-3700

Communications to Congress

Issued June 2000

 Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection

1998 Report of the Secretary of Agriculture to the United States Congress

Preface

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), a public health regulatory agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is responsible for ensuring that the commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products in the United States is safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled, as required by the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act.

This report summarizes FSIS initiatives and accomplishments, domestic and export inspection activities, and foreign program review and reinspection activities in 1998. Information about domestic and export inspection is presented on a fiscal year basis to coincide with the congressional budget process. Information on review of foreign inspection systems and import reinspection is presented on a calendar year basis, as required by law.

Section I of this report describes the organization and responsibilities of FSIS.

Section II describes the initiatives and accomplishments of FSIS to better protect the public health and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal inspection system.

Section III gives a statistical summary of domestic and export inspection activities for fiscal year (FY) 1998 (October 1, 1997, through September 30, 1998).

Section IV gives a statistical summary of FSIS reviews of foreign inspection systems and import reinspection activities for calendar year 1998.

This annual report is submitted to the Committee on Agriculture of the U.S. House of Representatives and to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the U.S. Senate as required by sections 301(c)(4) and 20(e) of the Federal Meat Inspection Act, as amended (21 U.S. Code 661 and 21 U.S. Code 620); and sections 27 and 5(c)(4) of the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and amended (21 U.S. Code 470 and 21 U.S. Code 454).

Contents

1. Organization and Responsibilities of FSIS
   • Mission and Responsibilities 
   • Reorganization 
2. Initiatives and Accomplishments 
   • Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) 
   • Civil Rights Training 
   • Voluntary Dispute Intervention Program (VDIP) 
   • Enforcement Activities 
   • Emergency Activities 
   • Enhanced Scientific Activities 
   • Field Automation and Information Management (FAIM) 
   • FSIS World Wide Web Site 
3. Domestic and Export Inspection 
   • Meat and Poultry Inspection 
   • Egg Products Inspection 
4. Foreign Program Review and Port-of-Entry Reinspection 
   • Foreign Certification 
   • Meat, Poultry, and Egg Imports 
   • Import Certification 
   • Automated Import Information System (AIIS) 
   • Laboratory Sampling 
   • Codex Alimentarius Commission 

List of Tables and Exhibits

I. Organization and Responsibilities of the Food Safety and Inspection Service

Mission and Responsibilities

It is the mission of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure that meat, poultry, and egg products prepared for distribution in interstate and foreign commerce for use as human food are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled and packaged. FSIS administers and enforces the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA), the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA), and the regulations that implement these laws. Oversight for the Agency is provided by the Under Secretary for Food Safety’s Office of Food Safety.

Responsibilities of FSIS to assure food safety include the following:

• Inspecting, before and after slaughter, poultry and meat animals intended for use as human food and verifying further processing of meat and poultry products;

• Inspecting, before and after breaking, eggs intended for further processing and use in human food;

• Providing microbiological, pathological, chemical, and other scientific examinations of meat, poultry, and egg products for pathogens, disease, infection, extraneous materials, drug and other chemical residues, or other kinds of adulteration;

• Conducting emergency responses, including retention, detention, or voluntary recall of meat, poultry, or egg products containing chemical, microbial, or other adulterants;

• Conducting epidemiological investigations based on reports of foodborne health hazards and disease outbreaks;

• Developing and implementing cooperative strategies to prevent food safety health hazards associated with animal production practices;

• Reviewing and assessing the effectiveness of State inspection programs to ensure that standards are at least equal to those under the Federal Acts;

• Evaluating Agency programs to assess their effectiveness and efficiency in ensuring the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products for both internal clients, such as program managers and the Administrator, and external clients, such as Congress and the public;

• Reviewing and assessing foreign inspection systems and facilities that export meat, poultry, and egg products to the United States to ensure that standards are equivalent to those in the United States; and reinspecting imported meat and poultry products at ports of entry and egg products at their destination or other locations;

• Monitoring allied industries to prevent uninspected, unwholesome, or mislabeled meat, poultry, and egg products from illegally entering channels of commerce;

• Providing public information to ensure the safe handling of meat, poultry, and egg products by food handlers and consumers; and

• Coordinating U.S. participation in the Codex Alimentarius Commission and informing the public of the sanitary and phytosanitary standard setting activities of the Commission.

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Reorganization

In fiscal year (FY) 1998, FSIS completed implementation of its comprehensive reorganization. Announced on July 26, 1996, by the Secretary, the reorganization streamlined both headquarters and field administration. At headquarters, major organizational segments have been reduced from 13 to 7, and the number of supervisory positions has been reduced. The field office structure has been reduced from 46 regional and area field offices to 18 district field offices, the Technical Service Center in Omaha, Nebraska, Financial Processing Center in Des Moines, Iowa, Personnel Operations Branch in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a consolidated field supply center in Beltsville, Maryland. Newly established in FY 1997, the Technical Service Center moved to permanent office space in December 1998. The reorganized structure of FSIS is shown in Exhibit 1-1. The field operations structure is shown in Exhibit 1-2.

To implement the reorganization in the field, FSIS transferred and relocated a total of 121 employees, 110 in FY 1997 and 11 in FY 1998. There were 62 relocations to district offices, primarily from area offices that were closed, and 59 to the newly established Technical Service Center.

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II. Initiatives and Accomplishments

During FY 1998, FSIS continued to make noteworthy progress with its farm-to-table food safety strategy. This strategy is designed to better protect the public’s health by improving the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products at each stage in food production, processing, distribution, and marketing.

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)

Transformation of the 90-year-old inspection system continued throughout FY 1998, whereby traditional command and control methods were transformed to a science-based system that targets and prevents contamination of meat and poultry products with harmful bacteria and other food safety hazards. The foundation for this transformation is the Pathogen Reduction and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Rule (PR/HACCP), issued by FSIS on July 25, 1996. The rule clarifies the roles of government and industry in food safety. Industry is accountable for producing safe food, while government is responsible for setting appropriate food safety standards, maintaining vigorous inspection oversight to ensure those standards are met, and maintaining a strong enforcement program to deal with plants that do not meet regulatory standards.

The rule contains four separate phases, or implementation dates, the first two of which were met by the end of FY 1998:

1. For all plants, the Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP) requirements were implemented, effective January 27, 1997;

2. For large plants, those with 500 or more employees, the HACCP and Salmonella requirements were implemented, effective January 26, 1998;

3. For small plants, those with 10 or more employees but fewer than 500, the HACCP and Salmonella requirements were to be implemented, effective January 25, 1999; and

4. For very small plants, those with fewer than 10 employees or annual sales of less than $2.5 million, the HACCP and Salmonella requirements were to be implemented, effective January 25, 2000.

FSIS is required to conduct training to ensure inspection and compliance personnel are trained in time for various implementation dates, and to ensure they are prepared to function successfully in the new HACCP work environment. FSIS made significant progress in training its workforce to carry out new regulatory tasks and procedures generated by the PR/HACCP rule. Over 50 percent of the workforce was trained in HACCP during FY 1998. Specific HACCP training-oriented accomplishments during FY 1998 include:

• Provided 4,000 employees nationwide with a 3-day SSOP Technical Training Program;

• Provided 1,200 supervisors with a 2-day supervisory training program entitled "Leading the Change"; and

• Provided 2,500 employees assigned to large plants and early plant entries (those plants which opted to implement HACCP prior to their implementation date) with an 8-day Technical Training Program.

During FY 1998, FSIS began to identify critical vacancies in small plants to prepare for HACCP implementation in these plants in January 1999. Small plants account for approximately 50 percent of the plants under Federal inspection. The Agency determined the need for inspectors was greater in some small HACCP plants than in some large HACCP plants, and that a partial shifting of inspection resources from large plants to small plants (referred to as redeployment) was an efficient and effective use of resources, and would help to meet safety goals. This redeployment of HACCP-trained food inspectors represents about 2 percent of the Agency food inspectors.

In addition, FSIS helped prepare over 2,200 small plants to implement HACCP through the following initiatives:

1. Conducted 152 demonstration workshops for 1,938 plant representatives;

2. Distributed HACCP guidance materials to 102 institutional sponsors. These materials included 43,000 copies of generic HACCP models and over 30,750 copies of technical guidance materials;

3. Conducted two small plant HACCP implementation meetings;

4. Established a network of State HACCP coordinators and contacts in all 50 States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia, to marshal resources in each State and make information available to all State and Federal plants;

5. Worked with land-grant universities and 1890 schools, and those historically black land-grant universities with inspected facilities, to promote assistance from these institutions as sources of information to small plants and to act as model plants.

Finally, the Technical Service Center began operating a HACCP telephone hotline and electronic communication system during FY 1998, to address technical questions and concerns about HACCP implementation, and to ensure FSIS employees and the regulated industry would be given immediate and consistent information.

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Civil Rights Training

As a result of the USDA Civil Rights Action Team (CRAT) report dated February 1997, the Department required its agencies to provide multi-year civil rights and EEO training to all employees, beginning in FY 1998. FSIS delivered the first training module, Introduction to Civil Rights, beginning in January 1998. Between January 15 and September 30, 1998, FSIS trained 3,451 employees. This includes all employees located in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, about 610, as well as 2,841 in the field. The 4-hour facilitated training sessions included an interactive discussion on topics such as sensitivity, diversity, and civil rights laws and regulations. FSIS was to have completed Module I training for all employees by March 31, 1999.

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Voluntary Dispute Intervention Program (VDIP)

 In March 1998, FSIS initiated VDIP as a new mediation program to resolve complaints and grievances. FSIS conducted two briefings at Headquarters to kick off the program and over 20 briefings in the field, including the District Offices, Laboratories, Financial Processing Center, Technical Service Center, Training Center, and Personnel Operations Branch. Each briefing included a mock demonstration of a mediation session. The Agency sent each FSIS employee a memorandum and flyer describing the new program. In addition, there was a separate mailing to all GS-15s and above encouraging them to use this new mediation program.

Currently, FSIS has 6 mediators at Headquarters and 18 in the field. From April 1 through September 30, 1998, FSIS had 12 mediations, which resulted in 7 written agreements and 3 unwritten agreements. Since the program began, eight of the mediations involved EEO complaints and seven were settled without any monetary payment. The other EEO-related mediation resulted in a payment of $200 to one party.

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Enforcement Activities:

Detentions 

A total of 631 detentions of adulterated meat and poultry products, with a corresponding weight of approximately 16.227 million pounds, occurred during FY 1998. Some of the more significant product detentions include the following:

• 1,132,743 pounds of various cooked and raw meat and poultry products that were adulterated (putrid, sour) due to loss of refrigeration and ammonia exposure. The products were placed under detention at a cold storage facility in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. All the products were voluntarily destroyed.

• 350,000 pounds of various meat and poultry products were detained at a cold storage facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee, due to adulteration (putrid, sour) caused by loss of refrigeration and ammonia exposure. All the products were voluntarily destroyed.

• 60,000 pounds of various meat and poultry products were detained at a cold storage facility in Attala, Alabama, due to adulteration caused by unsanitary conditions. This is an on-going investigation. All the products were voluntarily destroyed.

• Approximately 135,000 pounds of mechanically separated chicken was detained at a cold storage facility in Atlanta, Georgia, due to misbranding. The product was properly labeled under the supervision of a USDA inspector.

• 2,183,603 pounds of beef and pork products were detained at a cold storage facility in Ocala, Florida, because the products were adulterated with chemical and microbial contaminants and were also misbranded. The disposition of the products is pending.

• Approximately 94,000 pounds of ground beef products were detained at a firm in St. Petersburg, Florida, because the products were adulterated and misbranded. The disposition of the products is pending.

• 80,816 pounds of uncured pork bellies contaminated with foreign material (wood splinters and grease) were detained at a cold storage facility in Fairmont, Minnesota. The product was released for reinspection at establishment number (EST) 3136.

• 560,787 pounds of pork spareribs found to be adulterated were placed under detention at a cold storage facility in Greenfield, Indiana. All the product was voluntarily destroyed.

• 1,240,369 pounds of various misbranded meat and poultry products were detained at a cold storage facility in Chicago, Illinois. The product was brought into compliance through relabeling permitted at the facility under inspection supervision.

• 123,000 pounds of various meat and poultry products were found to be exposed to rodent contamination at a distributor in Chicago, Illinois. All the product was voluntarily destroyed. 53,000 pounds of this product was seized prior to destruction.

• 99,069 pounds of mutton and lamb carcasses were found to contain possible contamination from non-potable water at a cold storage facility in Gloucester, New Jersey. The product was reinspected at EST I-196.

• 118,150 pounds of misbranded hams were detained at a cold storage facility in Canton, Michigan. The product was reinspected at EST 18980.

• 72,930 pounds of various meat and poultry products were found exposed to rodent contamination at a cold storage facility in Kansas City, Missouri. The product was reinspected at EST 13090.

• 922,600 pounds of misbranded meat products were detained at a cold storage facility in Kansas City, Missouri. The product was reinspected at EST 19474.

• 94,043 pounds of adulterated meat products were detained at a cold storage facility in Shreveport, Louisiana. The product was reinspected at EST 3SL.

• 2,849,374 pounds of pork bellies and pork hams were found contaminated with foreign material (wood splinters and dirt) at a cold storage facility in Edwardsville, Kansas. The product was reinspected at EST 509K and EST 85M.

• 50,282 pounds of misbranded beef pancreas was found at a cold storage facility in Fresno, California. The product was voluntarily destroyed.

• 21,078 pounds of various meat and poultry products were involved in a fire and subsequently detained at a cold storage warehouse in Oakland, California. The product was reinspected at a federally inspected facility.

Administrative Enforcement Actions

FSIS inspects meat and poultry products and applies the marks of inspection when inspectors are able to determine that products are not adulterated. FSIS may temporarily withhold the marks of inspection from specific products, suspend inspection, or withdraw inspection if a plant is not meeting crucial requirements. A withholding, suspension, or withdrawal action may be based on any of the following reasons related to the HACCP regulations:

• failure to collect and analyze samples for the presence of generic E. coli and record results;

• failure to develop or implement Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs);

• failure to develop or implement a required HACCP plan; or

• failure to meet applicable Salmonella performance standard requirements.

In addition, FSIS may take a withholding, suspension, or withdrawal action for any of these other reasons:

• unsanitary conditions;

• inhumane slaughtering of livestock;

• failure to destroy condemned product; or

• interference with inspection personnel.

In FY 1998, approximately 85 enforcement actions were taken to stop inspection operations in Federal establishments. The vast majority of these actions were taken because of failures associated with the PR/HACCP Rule and resulted in the resumption of inspection after FSIS received acceptable corrective and preventive actions from plant officials. The following is a representative sample of these actions:

• In October 1997, a beef processing plant in Norfolk, Nebraska, received a Notice of Suspension of Inspection for failure to implement and/or maintain system controls in an adequate or effective manner to preclude unsanitary conditions leading to direct product contamination. The action was also based on at least two separate findings of meat products contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, and failure to meet regulatory requirements for generic E. coli testing. After receiving proposed corrective and preventive measures, FSIS held the suspension in abeyance and allowed operations to resume. In May 1998, the suspension action was lifted and the case was closed with a letter of warning because verification tasks performed by FSIS personnel revealed that the plant’s corrective and preventive measures were effectively implemented.

• In December 1997, a Notice of Suspension of Inspection was issued to a meat packing plant in East Moline, Illinois, for the firm’s failure to implement and/or maintain system controls in an effective manner to preclude unsanitary conditions leading to direct product contamination. On January 8, 1998, FSIS filed a complaint to withdraw inspection because the plant failed to provide acceptable corrective and preventive measures concerning the suspension action. After protracted negotiations between FSIS and the plant, the plant entered into a Consent Decision with FSIS in March 1998. The Consent Decision required that the plant effectively implement its SSOPs and other food safety controls. The plant subsequently voluntarily withdrew inspection after learning that FSIS had initiated action to summarily withdraw inspection for the plant’s failure to adhere to the terms of the Consent Decision.

• In February 1998, a poultry plant in Center, Texas, received notification of the suspension of inspection concerning the failure of the plant’s HACCP plan to prevent product from being contaminated with fecal material. After receiving notification of acceptable corrective and preventive measures, FSIS notified the plant that the suspension would be held in abeyance and operations were allowed to resume. In March 1998, a suspension was reinstated because of continued findings of fecal contamination on poultry products. The plant subsequently submitted another plan of corrective and preventive actions and operations were allowed to resume. FSIS inspection personnel are continuing to monitor the effectiveness of the plant’s corrective and preventive measures.

• In April 1998, a poultry plant in Waldron, Arkansas, received notification of the reinstatement of an earlier suspension. This action was taken because of SSOP and HACCP system failures, and because the plant had failed to effectively implement corrective actions provided to FSIS that were designed to restore sanitary conditions and prevent product from being contaminated with fecal material. After receiving a revised plan of corrective and preventive measures from the plant, FSIS allowed the plant to resume operations and held the suspension in abeyance. FSIS inspection personnel continued to monitor the effectiveness of the plant’s corrective and preventive actions during FY 1998. The case was subsequently closed with a letter of warning because FSIS inspection personnel determined that the plant’s corrective and preventive measures were effectively implemented.

• In May 1998, a processing plant in Milton, Pennsylvania, was issued a Notice of Intended Enforcement Action based on the failure of the plant’s HACCP plan to prevent the production of product contaminated with foreign material. After receiving acceptable corrective and preventive measures from the plant, FSIS held the suspension of inspection in abeyance. In September 1998, the plant was notified that the suspension would be lifted and the case was closed with a letter of warning because verification tasks performed by FSIS inspection personnel showed that the plant’s corrective and preventive measures were effectively implemented.

• In June 1998, FSIS temporarily suspended the assignment of inspectors at a meat plant in Palestine, Texas, due to inhumane slaughter. After receiving assurance of acceptable corrective and preventive measures, operations at the plant were allowed to resume and the case was closed with a letter of warning.

• In July 1998, FSIS temporarily suspended the assignment of inspectors at a meat and poultry plant in Greenville, New York, based on a verbal threat made to an FSIS inspector. Operations were allowed to resume after assurance of acceptable corrective and preventive measures were received from plant officials.

• In August 1998, a Notice of Suspension of Inspection was issued to a meat plant in Hazelton, Pennsylvania, based on FSIS inspectors finding unsanitary conditions during an operational sanitation check. After receiving assurance of acceptable corrective and preventive measures from the plant, FSIS held the suspension in abeyance and allowed operations to resume. FSIS inspection personnel are continuing to monitor the effectiveness of the plant’s corrective and preventive measures.

• In September 1998, a Notice of Suspension of Inspection was issued to a meat plant in Detroit, Michigan, based on FSIS inspectors finding unsanitary conditions during a pre-operational sanitation check, and based on the plant’s failure to implement corrective actions concerning its SSOPs. After receiving assurance of acceptable corrective and preventive measures from the plant, FSIS held the suspension in abeyance and allowed operations to resume. FSIS inspection personnel are continuing to monitor the effectiveness of the plant’s corrective and preventive measures.

Administrative Consent Decisions 

The following Consent Decisions are a representative sample of administrative actions entered into between FSIS and firms or individuals during FY 1998. The Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) authorize the Secretary to refuse to provide or to withdraw inspection service if the recipient of inspection, applicant for inspection, or anyone responsibly connected with the firm has been convicted in any Federal or State court of any felony or more than one violation of any law other than a felony, based on transactions in food. These Acts also authorize the Secretary to withdraw inspection or suspend the assignment of personnel for other reasons such as for unsanitary conditions at a plant. In lieu of withdrawing or denying inspection services, such administrative actions are normally terminated by both parties agreeing to the provisions and conditions in the Consent Decision.

• In December 1997, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, plant and its president entered into a Stipulation and Consent Decision with FSIS. The Decision required that the plant comply with HACCP regulations within 105 days. As a small plant, it would not have had to implement HACCP until January 1999. However, under the terms of the Decision, the plant agreed to comply with the HACCP regulations sooner. The administrative action was taken following the president’s pleading "no contest" to a civil complaint, which concerned selling misbranded ground beef products.

• In March 1998, a plant in East Moline, Illinois, entered into a Stipulation and Consent Decision with FSIS. The Decision required that the plant revise its SSOPs sufficient to prevent contamination or adulteration of product and to implement other food safety controls. The Decision was based on a withholding and subsequent suspension action taken at the plant because plant officials failed to implement and maintain system controls in an adequate manner to preclude unsanitary conditions leading to direct product contamination.

• In July 1998, two Grand Rapids, Michigan, plants and a former plant manager entered into a Stipulation and Consent Decision with FSIS. The Decision prohibited the plant manager from providing direction to, being present at, or conducting business with these plants but allowed him to perform functions necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of Maintenance Coordinator for the Transportation Division of the corporation. This administrative action was taken following the felony conviction of the former plant manager for obstruction of correspondence and the removal of a laboratory report that involved product produced at one of the plants.

• In September 1998, a firm in Waterloo, Iowa, entered into a Stipulation and Consent Decision with FSIS. The Decision required that the plant develop enforcement procedures for processing products containing any added ingredients (except water) that will ensure compliance with the FMIA, PPIA, and applicable regulations. The administrative action was taken because the plant was sentenced to two misdemeanor counts of selling, transporting, offering for sale, or transporting an article produced from livestock or poultry which was adulterated or misbranded in violation of the Iowa criminal code.

Criminal Enforcement Actions 

The following Criminal Enforcement Actions are representative samples of actions taken during FY 1998: 

• In October 1997, a Washington State cold storage company and the firm’s vice president were each sentenced on two misdemeanors for storing meat and poultry food products under unsanitary conditions. The corporation was assessed a criminal fine of $15,000 and the firm’s vice president received a $5,000 criminal fine plus a $300 special assessment fee. Both the corporation and the corporate principal were each placed on 2 years’ probation.

• In November 1997, a wholesale meat company in Arkansas was sentenced on one felony count for attempted distribution of adulterated meat products. The products had been held under unsanitary conditions, causing the products to be contaminated with filth and rendering them unwholesome and unfit for human consumption. The firm was assessed a criminal fine of $10,000 plus a $200 court fee.

• In November 1997, a federally inspected poultry plant in New Jersey was sentenced on one felony count for filing a false corporate tax return, and one misdemeanor count for selling mislabeled poultry products. The firm was assessed a criminal fine of $10,000 and was placed on 2 years’ probation. The investigation revealed that the firm adulterated 10,000 pounds of poultry products, which were misbranded with labels that falsely represented the amount of water-based solution that had been added to the product, and failed to report $80,000 in income.

• In January 1998, an Arkansas wholesale grocery company was sentenced on one misdemeanor count for causing meat and poultry products to become adulterated by rodent gnawing, hair, and feces. The firm was ordered to pay a $5,000 criminal fine and a $125 special assessment fee. The firm was also placed on probation for 5 years.

• In January 1998, a Minnesota custom exempt plant operator and retail food handler was sentenced on one misdemeanor count for selling uninspected meat. The individual was required to perform 100 hours of community service and was placed on probation for 2 years. The investigation revealed that the firm sold uninspected meat and was operating under unsanitary conditions. The State of Minnesota Department of Agriculture revoked the firm’s Retail Food Handler License and Custom Processing Permit.

• In February 1998, a Texas firm was sentenced on one felony count for violating the FMIA. The firm was fined $285,912 by the Court, ordered to pay $16,941 in restitution, and was required to pay a $200 special assessment fee. The former General Manager was previously sentenced on two felony counts, placed under house arrest for 4 months to be followed by 3 years’ probation, and ordered to pay a $50 special assessment fee.

• In February 1998, a federally inspected identification service warehouse in Georgia was convicted on one misdemeanor for causing poultry products to become misbranded. The firm paid the maximum criminal fine allowable, $200,000, which was also the largest fine ever paid in the Southeast under the PPIA. The firm also agreed to reimburse the USDA’s National Finance Center for one-half the cost of the investigation, but not to exceed $40,000. The investigation revealed that the firm: 1) caused containers of poultry products to become damaged because of overcrowded conditions; 2) sorted and reboxed damaged poultry products on weekends without the benefit of Federal inspection; and 3) sold the products in interstate and foreign commerce.

• In February 1998, a Michigan cold storage facility was sentenced on two misdemeanor counts for causing meat and poultry products to become adulterated. The firm was assessed a criminal fine of $25,000, required to pay a $50 special assessment fee, and placed on probation for 2 years. The investigation revealed that the firm caused approximately 1,800 pounds of meat products to become putrid and/or contaminated with filth, rendering the products unfit for human consumption.

• In March 1998, an FSIS food inspector and a Federal plant in New York were each sentenced on one felony count of bribery. The inspector was assessed a criminal fine of $17,000, assessed a $100 special assessment fee, and placed on probation for 5 years. The inspector was also required to serve 6 months in home detention and complete 200 hours of community service. The Federal plant was assessed a criminal fine of $10,000, paid a $100 special assessment fee, and was placed on probation for 5 years. The investigation revealed that the inspector accepted money in exchange for inspecting and passing downer (dying, diseased or disabled) livestock that were supposed to be inspected by an FSIS veterinarian and for allowing company employees to slaughter animals and to use inspection brands when the inspector was not present.

• In April 1998, a Pennsylvania slaughterhouse and retail market and the firm’s vice president and assistant plant manager were each sentenced on one felony count for using sodium sulfite, a prohibited additive, in its sausage products. The firm was assessed a criminal fine of $8,000 and placed on 2 years’ probation. The firm’s vice president and assistant plant manager were assessed a criminal fine of $2,000 and placed on 2 years’ probation. Sodium sulfite is banned as a preservative in meat and poultry products because it masks the spoilage and color change that result from aging.

• In May 1998, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit unanimously upheld felony convictions against a South Dakota meat packing company and three of its corporate officers for selling misbranded meats, mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy. The investigation revealed that the company advertised beef as coming from cattle that were bred to have lower cholesterol and fat. The animals were also advertised as free of antibiotics and growth hormones. It was discovered that the firm was mixing beef from other packing plants that was neither free of antibiotics or growth hormones, nor lower in cholesterol or fat.

• In May 1998, a co-owner of a California food distributor was sentenced on one misdemeanor count for causing meat and poultry products to become adulterated. The individual was assessed a criminal fine of $5,000, assessed a $125 special assessment fee, and placed on probation for 12 months. The investigation revealed that the distributor caused approximately 5,420 pounds of meat and poultry products to become adulterated by rodent gnawing and excreta pellets.

• In June 1998, a Nebraska custom exempt operator and retail store was sentenced on one felony count for maintaining a facility in an unsanitary manner. The firm was placed on probation for 1 year and required to pay a $400 special assessment fee.

Civil Enforcement Actions 

The following Civil Enforcement Actions are a representative sample of actions taken during FY 1998:

• In June 1998, an Illinois Federal plant entered into a settlement agreement with the USDA and the United States Attorney for violating the FMIA, PPIA, and False Claims Act (FCA). The firm agreed to pay the Court-ordered civil penalty of $20,000. The investigation revealed that the firm prepared various meat and/or poultry egg rolls without the benefit of Federal inspection, sold and transported the non-federally inspected products in interstate commerce, and used the official mark of meat and poultry inspection without authorization.

• In June 1998, a Connecticut firm entered into a Consent Decree which permanently enjoined the firm and managerial officials from violating the FMIA and PPIA. The Decree prohibits the selling, transporting, offering for sale or transportation, or receiving in commerce, any non-inspected meat and poultry products required to be inspected. If found in contempt of the Decree, the firm and the managerial officials would be required to pay to the United States a Court-ordered civil penalty of $500 for each pound of violative product for the first incident and $1,000 per pound for any subsequent incidents.

• In July 1998, a Michigan Federal plant entered into a settlement agreement for alleged violations of the FCA. The United States filed a complaint in January 1998, seeking the payment of damages and penalties. The agreement required the firm to pay the United States $10,000, as ordered by the Court.

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Emergency Activities:

Meat and Poultry Recalls 

FSIS conducts a program to handle emergency actions concerning residue, microbiological, and other adulteration problems. This program oversaw actions on 40 meat and poultry product recalls during the FY 1998 totaling 5.4 million pounds, including 18 beef recalls (45%), 9 poultry recalls (23%), 10 pork recalls (25%), and 3 multi-species recalls (7%). The primary causes of product recalls for meat and poultry were microbiological (42.5%), and extraneous material (22.5%). Other causes for recalls were process/container defects (12.5%), drugs (7.5%), misbranding (7.5%), epidemiological link to foodborne illness (5%), and chemical (2.5%).

Egg Products Recalls 

There were nine recalls involving a total of 169,057 pounds of domestic egg products. The cause of the recalls was potential contamination with Salmonella. Additionally, one lot of egg products totaling 1,080 pounds imported from Canada was refused entry due to Salmonella.

Outbreak Investigations 

The following outbreak investigations are a representative sample of investigations during FY 1998.

• E. coli O157:H7 – During FY 1998, FSIS assisted 16 State health departments with 24 E. coli O157:H7 investigations. The 16 States that reported E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks to FSIS, with the number of outbreaks in parentheses, are as follows: Arizona (1), California (1), Connecticut (1), Georgia (4), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Maine (2), Massachusetts (2), New Hampshire (1), New York (2), North Carolina (1), Texas (1), Virginia (2), Washington (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (1). Actions included assisting States with laboratory analysis, product traceback, identification of outbreak related cases, recall of suspect product, and public notification of recalls. A brief summary of the major investigations follows:

  • April 1998, Georgia – An 11-year-old with Hemolytic Euremic Syndrome (HUS) reportedly had eaten an undercooked hamburger at school. Patties collected at the school were positive for E. coli O157:H7. No stool culture was available from patient for comparison. Patties distributed through school lunches in Georgia and North Carolina were recalled from EST. 800.

  • May 1998, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine – Shaw’s Supermarkets recalled ground beef from 124 stores in 6 States after a positive consumer sample and intact package samples confirmed the link to the illnesses. At the same time, Maine had six confirmed cases including a 94-year-old woman, who died, her 97-year-old husband and 60-year-old daughter. These cases had Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoreses (PFGEs) matching the Shaw’s cases in New Hampshire. Also, Massachusetts had seven cases with PFGEs matching the New Hampshire cases. A leftover package of ground beef purchased at a Star Market was positive, according to the Massachusetts State Laboratory. One Federal establishment had supplied course ground beef to both Shaw’s and Star Market, but a positive link could not be established.

  • June 1998, Georgia – Twenty-five cases linked to swimming at the Whitewater park in Atlanta had matching PFGE patterns with the recalled patties, but an epidemiological link could not be established.

  • June 1998, New York – A sample of leftover Costco ground beef from a consumer’s home and three identically coded, intact packages from Michigan yielded E. coli O157:H7 with PFGE patterns matching a patient isolate. Costco recalled its April 17, 1998, production of frozen patties. Four cases in Virginia were linked to recalled product.

 The suspect source of E. coli O157:H7 was unknown in seven cases, and attributed to ground beef in nine cases. Other suspect sources were: drinking water (2), strawberries (1), cole slaw (1), lettuce/shrimp salad (1), cheese curd (1), pool water (1), and fruit salad (1).

• Consumer Surveillance Information System – The Consumer Surveillance Information System (CSIS) is designed to detect problems with meat, poultry, and egg products under USDA jurisdiction through consumer complaints. The system logged 424 complaints in FY 1998. Cases entered into the CSIS database involve complaints alleging foreign materials contamination (50%), foodborne illness (45%), allergic reactions to unlabeled ingredients (3%), and other categories (2%). CSIS functions as an adjunct to the product recall process by locating potentially hazardous products already in the market that should be removed from commerce.

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Enhanced Scientific Activities:

FoodNet 

In FY 1998, FSIS completed the third full year of an agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct active population-based surveillance for foodborne diseases (Campylobacter, E. coli O157:H7, Listeria, Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio, Yersinia, Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora) in Minnesota, Oregon, and selected counties in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, and New York (total population: 20.5 million). An eighth site was to be added in FY 1999. This multi-year study will provide much needed data regarding the burden of foodborne illness in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is also a partner in this effort.

Bacterial foodborne diseases are currently reported to local and State health departments and the CDC through passive surveillance systems. As with all passive systems, cases are frequently unreported. Only one to five percent of bacterial foodborne disease cases are believed to be reported to the CDC. There is a need for more accurate data to evaluate program changes.

In July 1994, the USDA Pathogen Reduction Task Force recommended that FSIS work with the CDC on research and surveillance activities that will better characterize risks for foodborne pathogens. In late 1995, the Foodborne Disease Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) was created within the CDC Emerging Infections Program. FoodNet includes active surveillance for diseases caused by foodborne pathogens, case-control studies to identify risk factors for acquiring foodborne illnesses, and surveys to assess medical and laboratory practices related to the diagnosis of foodborne illness.

FoodNet is providing better estimates of the burden of foodborne illness and sources of specific diseases that are usually foodborne in the United States. FoodNet will track and interpret trends in these diseases over time. Since bacterial foodborne pathogen incidence rates have been determined in five sites beginning in 1996, the baseline data and subsequent years will be used to document the effectiveness of HACCP in decreasing the number of cases of major bacterial foodborne disease in the United States each year.

The following are key findings:

• The overall burden of diarrheal disease is great. FoodNet estimates that 360 million cases of diarrheal illness occur per year, resulting in approximately 28 million medical consultations. Surveys and studies indicate that an estimated 8 million cases of bacterial foodborne infections occurred in 1997 in the United States.

• In 1998, FoodNet conducted population-based active surveillance for confirmed cases of Campylobacter, E. coli O157:H7, Listeria, Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio, Yersinia, Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora in Minnesota, Oregon, and selected counties in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, and New York. Campylobacter was the most frequently diagnosed, even though outbreaks caused by this pathogen are rare. A study of Campylobacter infections that began in 1998 will identify control points and direct future prevention strategies.

• FoodNet showed that E. coli O157:H7 infections were more common in Northern States and that undercooked ground beef was the principal food source of E. coli O157:H7 infections. In contrast with the findings of previous investigations, hamburgers eaten at fast-food restaurants were not associated with infections, suggesting that changes in that industry may have reduced E. coli O157:H7 infections from that source. A second study of E. coli O157:H7 infections was refined for implementation in 1999. Active population-based surveillance for Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a major cause of acute renal failure in U.S. children, began in 1997. HUS complicates approximately 5 to 10 percent of E. coli O157:H7 infections.

• Hospitalization associated with foodborne illnesses is an important public health burden. In FoodNet sites, Listeria infections had the highest hospitalization rate and caused nearly half of the reported deaths. Because of this, FoodNet will conduct additional studies of Listeria infections in 1999 to identify food sources and potential control points.

Risk Prevention 

FSIS finalized a quantitative risk assessment for Salmonella Enteritidis in shell eggs and egg products in June of 1998. This risk assessment estimated that consumption of eggs containing Salmonella Enteritidis results in about 662,000 human illnesses per year in the United States. The models for this risk assessment have been made available to other agencies and researchers through the FSIS web site.

A new risk analysis for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) was undertaken in collaboration with scientists from the Harvard School of Public Health in April of 1998. Although BSE is not known to exist in the United States, risk assessment and risk communication efforts will provide an additional measure of food safety for the American public and assurance that all reasonable measures are effectively and efficiently being implemented by the agencies to protect public health. The first public meeting to solicit input on the risk assessment was held in September 1998. The risk assessment was expected to be finalized by 1999.

A new risk assessment for E. coli O157:H7 in beef was undertaken in June of 1998. The risk assessment will estimate the risk of foodborne illness from E. coli O157:H7, both with existing programs and practices and with alternative mitigation strategies. The risk assessment was to be completed in July 1999.

Microbiological Baseline Data Collection 

USDA designed the Nationwide Microbiological Baseline Data  Collection programs to identify and enumerate pathogenic bacteria and indicator organisms on meat and poultry produced under Federal inspection. These studies are now a key feature of the Pathogen Reduction Program. The studies include testing for the presence of E. coli O157:H7 and several other pathogens in beef, pork, and broiler chicken carcasses, and in raw ground meat and poultry products. The establishment of baseline profiles for meat and poultry will provide a yardstick for measuring the effectiveness of changes over time. A baseline survey on young turkeys using the rinse procedure was concluded in July 1997 and a report issued. During FY 1997, 1,063 baseline turkey rinse samples were analyzed and will be amended to the PR/HACCP Final Rule of July 25, 1996. Three baseline surveys using the sponge swabbing technique were initiated and completed in 1997 for cattle, swine and turkeys. During FY 1998, 677 cattle swabs, 827 swine swabs, and 695 turkey swabs were analyzed, and these new sponge baselines will be amended, upon completion, to the July 25, 1996, Final Rule. In FY 1997, a sponge swab baseline goose study was started, and it was completed in FY 1998. In FY 1999, Campylobacter testing of raw chicken carcasses was to begin using a newly devised Agricultural Research Service (ARS) quantitative method. Baseline sampling for Campylobacter will be completed in FY 2000. The resulting data will be used to set an industry performance standard for Campylobacter under the PR/HACCP rule guidelines. In FY 1998, FSIS also designed a new baseline chicken project that was to start in FY 1999. This baseline project was to assess levels of generic E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter in poultry for a comparison to the original 1995 baseline levels on these products.

Microbiological Sampling 

Since 1987, FSIS has conducted monitoring programs for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella in cooked, ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products. Since proper cooking should destroy these pathogenic bacteria, finding these organisms in fully cooked, RTE products leads to regulatory action by FSIS. This includes retention, detention, or recall of product, with subsequent intensified sampling of product produced at the implicated plant. In FY 1998, FSIS continued monitoring programs for these organisms in meat and poultry products. A total of 3,442 product lots were analyzed for Listeria monocytogenes, with 102 positive lots detected. A product lot consists of from one to five subsamples taken from the product lot sample submitted by the inspector, pooled and analyzed together. Salmonella was detected in 13 of 3,331 product lots analyzed.

In FY 1995, a monitoring program for E. coli O157:H7 in cooked meat patties was initiated. Thirteen separate subsamples were analyzed from each product lot submitted by the inspectors. In FY 1998, 64 product lots produced 1,152 E. coli O157:H7 analyses, all of which were negative. In FY 1998, dry and semi-dry RTE fermented sausages were added to the E. coli O157:H7 testing program. One analysis was performed on each of 182 product lots, with none positive. Total raw ground beef samples tested for FY 1998 were 7,529 with 12 from imported products, 3,594 from Federal, 3,879 from retail, and 44 from State inspected establishments. Of these, 14 samples were confirmed positive for E. coli O157:H7, 12 samples from a federally inspected establishment, one sample taken at retail, and one sample from imports. The program continued for a fifth year in FY 1998.

The monitoring programs for Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and E. coli O157:H7 are continuous and were increased in FY 1998.

Monitoring Staphylococcus Aureus Enterotoxins 

In September 1994, FSIS implemented a program to monitor manufacturing practices and production of dry and semi-dry RTE fermented sausages by way of analyzing the finished product for Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins. Improper fermentation may result in the growth of staphylococci and potential formation of enterotoxin, which poses a human health hazard. In FY 1998, a total of 252 samples were analyzed, with no samples positive for staphylococcal enterotoxin. In March 1995, analysis for E. coli O157:H7 was included in the fermented sausage program after human illnesses implicating fermented sausage were reported. In addition, the industry has undertaken process validation studies. This program was expanded in FY 1997 to also include the analyses of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. The newly expanded program will continue indefinitely. The sampling will continue until all plants have been randomly sampled at least once, at which time the sampling cycle will be repeated.

Rapid Tests and Chemical Residues

In FY 1998, FSIS conducted 36,630 Swab Tests on Premises (STOP) to detect the presence of antibiotics in meat and poultry. During FY 1998, 7,751 Calf Antibiotic and Sulfa Tests (CAST) were conducted to detect antibiotics and sulfa drugs in bob veal calves. The Fast Antimicrobial Screen Test (FAST) was developed in 1991 to replace CAST and STOP. It detects both antibiotics and sulfonamide drug residues in animal tissues. Analysis indicates that the FAST test is as accurate as the STOP and CAST tests. In FY 1998, FSIS conducted testing of 122,273 samples using the FAST procedure.

Dry Fermented Sausages and E. coli O157:H7

To further help ensure food safety, in July 1997, FSIS began  intensified microbiological sampling and testing of RTE dry/semi-dry sausages (both fermented and acidified) for E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogens of public health concern, such as Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Acidified products can present the same risk of pathogen survival as fermented products. This intensified program is in addition to current monitoring for E. coli O157:H7 and staphylococcal enterotoxin. To better allocate limited resources, the FSIS focus is on testing products of establishments that have not yet implemented validated manufacturing processes for these products. Therefore, establishments that have not chosen to implement validated processes for RTE fermented sausage products are subjected to more intensified sampling than those which have implemented such validated processes.

Establishments were reminded that adulterated meat products are prohibited from being distributed in commerce. RTE dry/semi-dry sausages tested under this program found to be adulterated are subject to such Agency action as may be required to protect public health, including detention, seizure, and recalling of product.

Survey on Browning in Hamburger

The emergence of deadly E. coli O157:H7 as a foodborne  pathogen has required that both industry and consumers exercise care in handling and cooking ground beef. Many consumers judge the doneness of cooked hamburger by its color. And until recently, FSIS recommended that hamburger be cooked until the interior is brown in order to destroy all E. coli O157:H7. Early in FY 1998, FSIS learned that some ground beef turns a well-done brown color after cooking only to a rare temperature, below 160°F. FSIS changed its consumer message accordingly, but to the extent this low-temperature browning occurs, consumers are at increased risk for infection with E. coli O157:H7. It is therefore important that FSIS determine the actual proportion of ground beef bought at retail that produces this low-temperature browning. To answer this question, a nationwide survey of the browning of retail ground beef was designed by FSIS with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). The study was initiated in July 1997 and completed during FY 1998. A public meeting was held on May 27, 1998, and was followed by a press briefing. The study confirmed that "premature browning" (turning brown below 160°F) is a real phenomenon, and that color is not a good indicator of whether or not a burger is safely cooked. That is, at 150°F, more than 25 percent of all fresh-cooked patties were considered to be brown or nearly brown. Even cooking ground beef patties to 160°F or higher cannot ensure they will turn brown. Nearly half of all patties retained some pink color when cooked to 160°F, and almost 20 percent still retained some pink color at 175°F.

FSIS now recommends that ground beef patties be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F and that a thermometer be used to verify that temperature.

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Field Automation and Information Management (FAIM):

Improving Information Management 

In FY 1998, FSIS completed the third phase of a 5-year nationwide Field Automation and Information Management (FAIM) initiative, and laid the groundwork for extending the FAIM project to the inspectors of the 26 State meat and poultry programs who will be operating using the same hardware, software, and telecommunications. This infrastructure will facilitate a more uniform nationwide inspection program.

During FY 1998, 835 computers were delivered to inspectors in California, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Approximately 950 inspectors from those States, plus over 200 new inspectors from previously implemented districts, were trained during the year.

Through FY 1998, a total of 2,900 computers have been delivered by FAIM and a total of 3,650 inspectors have been trained. At the end of FY 1998, 10 of the 18 districts were fully automated.

Video Conferences

Video conferencing equipment was installed in six district offices during FY 1998. A total of 10 district offices can now use video conferencing equipment that is located either in the district office or in another FSIS facility close-by. These locations are able to conference over ISDN lines among themselves, headquarters, the Technical Service Center in Omaha, Nebraska, and the Donald L. Houston Training Center in College Station, Texas. Video conferencing equipment has been used effectively to reduce travel expenses for meetings, presentations, speeches, town hall gatherings, and training. Specifically, it has allowed senior administrators and subject matter experts to address classroom students, industry and foreign officials, and other groups without the necessity of travel.

Training and Technology 

FSIS continued to expand its use of CD-ROM computer-based training (CBT) modules to provide training to in-plant inspectors without incurring expenses for travel and plant coverage. Over 130 modules are currently available for use throughout the Agency.

In FY 1998, FSIS deployed four new HACCP courses entitled Sanitation SOP, Development of a HACCP System, Supervisory Guidelines for HACCP, and Regulatory Process for HACCP. Fourteen additional HACCP courses were developed in FY 1998 and were to undergo testing prior to release in FY 1999. The third slaughter CBT entitled Welfare of Livestock was released in FY 1998.

In support of new computer software applications, FSIS developed four courses on FormFlow Electronic Forms, Word 97, Excel 97 and Outlook 98. All course materials are providing training which was originally delivered at the FSIS Training Center, in the field using a "train-the-trainer" approach, or at the 17 veterinary medical officer (VMO) training sites.

Upgrading Telecommunications Technology 

To support the Agency reorganization, FSIS has undertaken the upgrade of ADP and telecommunications technology in order to maximize the productivity of a smaller field office workforce. Substantial progress was made in FY 1998 in the areas of hardware, software, electronic mail, telecommunications, and video teleconferencing.

The overwhelming majority of district office personnel have been provided with Pentium notebook and desktop computers, facilitating a conversion to the Windows95 operating system and more powerful software applications. Local Windows NT-based resource servers have been installed in the 18 district offices, the Technical Service Center and the Training Center. The servers support software, data, and print sharing. With completion of the server installations by early January 1999, over 400 field administrative personnel will be connected to a local area network (LAN). The Windows NT architecture ensures consistency with the Agency Headquarters’ server architecture.

With the installation of servers, FSIS is completing the conversion of field electronic communications to Microsoft Outlook98 and Exchange electronic mail. This represents a major improvement from the HP OpenDesk e-mail system (which was phased out in Headquarters in early FY 1998). As part of the supporting telecommunications infrastructure, FSIS has instituted a wide area network (WAN) based upon frame relay circuits linking the field office sites together and to Washington, D.C. In locations where other USDA Agencies have existing circuits, FSIS has entered into a sharing arrangement to support the Department enterprise network and reduce costs.

District offices are also receiving video teleconferencing equipment to support distance learning and reduce travel expenses. Over half of the field office sites presently have such equipment installed in their training/conference rooms.

Taken together, these improvements are providing FSIS with 21^st century field offices that support multiple forms of communication and data transfer, thereby creating an infrastructure through which a modernized, updated inspection program can be managed.

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FSIS World Wide Web Site

The Web site, www.fsis.usda.gov, launched in 1996 as part of the USDA Web site, moved in June 1998 to FSIS’ own Web server. The collection of offerings grew significantly; the site now holds hundreds of documents, including the Agency’s enforcement reports, expanded information on recalls, press releases, sections on HACCP implementation, irradiation, speeches, Agency directives, and other documents.

In FY 1998, the number of hits on the FSIS Web site’s front page was estimated at more than 598,000. People in the United States and abroad use the FSIS Web site to track the latest Agency news. Among organizations identified, the heaviest users of the Web site were within the USDA domain.

In FY 1998, there were nearly 1,200 inquiries to the fsis.webmaster@usda.gov mailbox, thus increasing the value of the site as a means of two-way communication with the public.

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III. Domestic and Export Inspection

Meat and Poultry Inspection

In FY 1998, FSIS inspected nearly 132 million head of livestock and almost 7.9 billion birds. About 8,200 inspectors at more than 6,400 federally inspected establishments throughout the United States monitor the slaughter and processing of all meat and poultry products prepared for interstate commerce to ensure safety, wholesomeness, and correct and accurate labeling and packaging. In addition, FSIS employees inspect imported meat and poultry products at points of entry into the United States.

Animals are inspected before slaughter to detect diseases or other abnormalities and are inspected again after slaughter. Animal and poultry products are inspected during processing, handling, and packing. Only federally inspected meat and poultry establishments can sell their products in interstate or foreign commerce.

Since FY 1987, the amount of poultry slaughtered in federally inspected establishments has increased about 68 percent, from 25.7 billion pounds in FY 1987 to 43.2 billion pounds in FY 1998. Meat slaughter has increased approximately 17 percent, from 36.3 billion pounds to 42.3 billion pounds during the same period.

FSIS also oversees State inspection programs, which inspect meat and poultry products that will be sold only within the State in which they were inspected. The 1967 Wholesome Meat Act and the 1968 Wholesome Poultry Products Act require State inspection programs to be "at least equal to" the Federal inspection program. If a State chooses to end its inspection program or cannot maintain the "at least equal to" standard, FSIS must assume responsibility for inspection.

Exhibit 3-1 shows the number of federally inspected meat and poultry plants and the number of full-time permanent field personnel by location. Employment figures represent inspection field employees only. Plant figures include USDA-staffed establishments and Federal-State Cooperative Inspection plants, which are federally inspected but staffed by State employees. Exhibit 3-1 does not include foreign program employees, import establishments, officially inspected egg products plants, or in-plant inspectors in egg processing plants.

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Egg Product Inspection

The Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA) requires continuous inspection of the processing of liquid, frozen, and dried egg products in plants to assure that such products are wholesome, unadulterated, processed under sanitary conditions, and properly labeled. The Act and its implementing regulations require all establishments producing liquid, frozen, or dried eggs, including those sold only in intrastate commerce, to operate under continuous USDA supervision.

By the end of FY 1998, FSIS had 102 full-time egg inspectors in 73 federally inspected egg products plants. During FY 1998, USDA inspected, and certified as wholesome, 2.164 billion pounds of liquid egg products, including 109 million pounds of non-egg ingredients such as sugar, salt, and corn syrup, added to formulate various egg products blends. USDA also reinspected 1.061 billion pounds of liquid egg products shipped from origin plants to other official plants for further processing resulting in a total volume of 3.225 billion pounds, an increase of 1.5 percent from FY 1997.

 In addition, a risk assessment addressing public health concerns relative to shell eggs and egg products was completed during

FY 1998. A committee consisting of scientists from the FDA, CDC, academia, and USDA conducted the science-based evaluation focusing on the incidence of Salmonellosis associated with the consumption of shell eggs and egg products. A report on the risk assessment was published in August 1998. The data generated serves as a framework for risk analysis of the farm-to-table continuum and other animal production and processing systems.

Exports 

The United States has trade agreements with 100 countries to accept U.S. products. FSIS facilitated U.S. meat and poultry exports to 75 of these countries during FY 1998. A total of 3.4 billion pounds of meat and 5.9 billion pounds of poultry was exported by U.S. exporters.

Federal-State Relations 

Comprehensive reviews of seven State programs were initiated and performed during FY 1998. In addition, FSIS hosted the annual conference of the FSIS/State Meat and Poultry Inspection Directors, November 17-19, 1997. Issues discussed during the conference included: Federal field reviews, legislative plans for the interstate shipment of State-inspected product, the Performance Based Inspection System (PBIS), HACCP training, and communication pathways with FSIS.

Special Reviews 

During FY 1998, the Technical Service Center’s Review Staff provided special guidance and consultant service to a variety of organizations, including the Kansas State Inspection Program, and to meat inspection officials from New Zealand, Panama, Poland, Russia, and Switzerland, who were escorted on official tours of Federal establishments.

Review staff members served as subject matter specialists on the E. coli Special Team, and on the Export Task Force in Washington, D.C.

Review officers were instrumental in the development of a special review methodology, and for revising both data-gathering forms and the format for in-plant assessment of State meat and poultry inspection programs. During FY 1998, 70 State-inspected establishments were reviewed in nine States. Two of these States were reviewed by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) as part of an audit of the Federal-State Meat and Poultry Inspection Agreements.

Special reports prepared by Review Staff provided detailed information to the Federal-State Relations Staff for evaluation of the effectiveness of State inspection programs, and assisted in determining the "equal-to" status of State-managed meat and poultry inspection systems.

The Review Staff maintained the Technical Service Center’s national e-mail account, which involved downloading, distributing, tracking, answering, and logging inquiries from Agency inspectors, circuit supervisors, district offices, State officials, industry managers, university personnel involved in research, health-care professionals, VA-hospital food care supervisors, etc. The Review Staff handled approximately 1,500 requests for information and guidance in FY 1998.

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IV. Foreign Review and Port-of-Entry Reinspection

Information on foreign program review and import reinspection is presented on a calendar-year basis, as required by the Federal Meat Inspection Act. Information on both meat and poultry imports is included, although no formal report is required by the Poultry Products Inspection Act. Only limited quantities of poultry products, mainly specialty items, are imported into the United States.

Foreign Certification

FSIS audits and reviews foreign inspection systems to ensure that foreign countries certified to export meat and poultry to the United States have equivalent inspection systems. During FY 1998, on-site audits of foreign inspection systems were completed in 30 countries certified to export meat and poultry to the United States. All were found to be maintaining systems of inspection equivalent to those in the United States.

In addition, Team Equivalence Verification Audit Methodologies were developed during FY 1998, to provide greater assurance that foreign countries have inspection systems equivalent to those in the U.S. These new methodologies were to be piloted in Canada and New Zealand in FY 1999.

Internal reviews of establishments, laboratories, and government inspection systems during FY 1998 focused on ensuring their continuing equivalence. Establishment control systems were audited for five risk areas: contamination, disease, residues, processed product controls, and compliance and economic fraud. In addition, foreign HACCP systems, SSOPs, and testing programs for Salmonella and generic E. coli were evaluated by the International Review Staff.

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Meat, Poultry, and Egg Imports

In FY 1998, FSIS inspected 2.8 billion pounds of imported meat and poultry from 32 countries. Inspectors refused entry of 9.9 million pounds of meat and poultry products.

A total of 4,498,898 pounds of egg products were imported from Canada during FY 1998, an increase of 6.3 percent from FY 1997. Of the total, 4,386,198 pounds were imported in liquid form, 67,556 pounds in frozen form, and 45,144 pounds in dried form. A total of 294 production lots were inspected by FSIS at receiver locations for wholesomeness and proper labeling. Twenty-two production lots were randomly identified for sampling for laboratory (microbiological, physical, and chemical) analysis to determine compliance with USDA regulatory requirements. Three production lots, representing 21,342 pounds, were refused entry. Disposition of product refused entry was controlled in cooperation with Canadian Food Inspection Agency officials.

Joint reviews were conducted by officials of USDA and Agri-Food Canada of two accredited laboratories and the four egg product plants approved to export to the United States to verify that the Canadian and U.S. systems remain equivalent.

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Import Certification

Certificates, required to accompany imported meat, poultry, and egg products, identify products by country and plants of origin, destination, shipping marks, and amounts. They certify that the products are wholesome, not adulterated or misbranded; that they otherwise comply with U.S. requirements; and, for meat and poultry products, that they received ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection.

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Automated Import Information System (AIIS)

A description of each lot arriving at U.S. ports is entered into the Automated Import Inspection System (AIIS). This computerized system centralizes reinspection and shipping information from all ports, allowing FSIS to determine the frequency of reinspection assignments based on the compliance history of each country and establishment. The following information is stored in the system:

• amount and kind of products offered from each country and establishment and the amount refused entry;

• results of certification and labeling reinspections;

• results of organoleptic reinspection for defects such as bone, hair, and cartilage; and

• results of laboratory samples tested for residues, microbiology, proper cooking temperatures, and economic and other adulterants.

To ensure that representative samples are selected, statistical sampling plans are applied to each lot of product to be reinspected. The criteria for acceptance or rejection of imports are the same as those applied to U.S. meat and poultry products prepared under Federal inspection.

In order to export to the United States, a foreign country must have a residue control program with standards equivalent to U.S. standards. Statutes require that foreign residue control programs include random sampling of animals at slaughter, the use of approved sampling and analytical methods, testing target tissues for specific compounds, and testing compounds identified by the USDA or the origin country as potential contaminants.

Residue control programs of 32 exporting countries were certified in FY 1998 and all eligible countries that export meat and poultry products to the United States have given assurance that SSOPs have been implemented.

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Laboratory Sampling

Imported meat and poultry products are sampled for chemistry and microbiological contamination and chemical and drug residues. As in domestic inspection, shipments are not held until laboratory test results are received unless there is some reason to suspect contamination.

If a laboratory reports a residue or microbiological violation on a sample that has otherwise passed reinspection, efforts are made to locate any part of the shipment that is still available. Products recovered may not be used for human food. If product is in commerce or at the consumer level, product recall actions are taken. In addition, the foreign country is notified of the violation, and further shipments from the producing establishment are held until laboratory analyses are received that show negative results.

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Codex Alimentarius Commission

Under the terms of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, the President designated USDA as the lead agency for coordinating U.S. participation in the sanitary and phyto-sanitary standard-setting activities of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex). The Secretary designated FSIS to fulfill this role.

On February 13, 1998, FSIS published a notice in the Federal Register, describing the activities of Codex; describing the duties of the U.S. delegate and alternate delegate to Codex committees; providing the criteria and procedures to be used in selecting non-government members to various U.S. delegations to Codex committees; describing the appropriate role of non-government members on delegations to Codex committees; identifying the manner in which the public will be informed of, and may participate in, Codex activities; and requesting comments on these matters. On May 27, FSIS published a notice in the Federal Register informing the public of the sanitary and phyto-sanitary standard-setting activities of the Commission. During the course of the fiscal year, FSIS announced, through Federal Register Notice, publication on the FSIS Web site, or both, approximately 20 public meetings on Codex standard-setting activities. At these meetings information on issues was provided and comments were accepted. Also, information on upcoming sessions of Codex committees and reports of recent meetings were posted on the FSIS Web site. These activities have contributed to the transparency of the standard-setting process.

FSIS developed and delivered a training program for approximately 40 U.S. government delegates and alternate delegates to Codex committees. Experts presented information on Codex procedures and strategies. This is intended to improve the skills of U.S. delegates.

FSIS restructured the Codex Steering Committee to include a policy group and a technical group. This permitted an expansion of membership to involve more Agencies, including the Office of the United States Trade Representative, Departments of State and Commerce, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and all interested USDA Agencies.

FSIS successfully managed three sessions of Codex committees. These international meetings involved more than 450 representatives of member countries and observer organizations. The work of these committees is integral to achieving progress by the sanitary and phyto-sanitary standard-setting activities of the Commission.

FSIS also participated in numerous bilateral discussions on food safety issues being considered by Codex.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

 To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14^th Street and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

For Further Information Contact:
FSIS Congressional and Public Affairs Staff
Phone: (202) 720-3897
Fax: (202) 720-5704

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