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FSIS INITIATIVES AND POLICY CHANGES
OIG Audit Report
on ConAgra
The Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) audit recommendations
fall into three broad categories: Ensuring that food safety activities
are adequate to control E. coli O157:H7; ensuring that inspection
personnel are anticipating problems and enforcement actions are conducted
promptly and consistently; and ensuring that recalls are effectively carried
out.
The following are actions FSIS has taken since July
2002 that are consistent with the findings of its own internal investigation
and the recommendations of the OIG.
Ensuring that food safety activities are adequate
to control E. coli O157:H7
- The incidence of E. coli O157:H7 in FSIS
sampling is falling. Of the FSIS samples collected and analyzed through
Aug. 31, 2003, 0.32 percent tested positive for E. coli O157:H7,
down from 0.78 in 2002 and 0.84 in 2001. In 2000, after FSIS began
using a much more sensitive E. coli O157:H7 test, 0.86 percent
of samples tested positive. Since 2001, FSIS has collected more
than 7,000 samples annually, up from 6,300 in 2000.
- FSIS ordered all beef plants in October 2002 to
reexamine their food safety plans, based on evidence that E. coli
O157:H7 is a hazard reasonably likely to occur and implement interventions
to prevent it (Federal Register Notice 62325). Scientifically
trained FSIS personnel are systematically examining those food safety
plans. FSIS has completed almost 1,000 examinations of beef plant
food safety plans, beginning with the largest plants. FSIS expects
to conduct 2,500 examinations at beef plants by 2005. Also, FSIS
is examining all plant generated test data to better detect potential
problems.
- A beef trim random sampling program, in addition
to the current testing of ground beef for E. coli O157:H7, is
planned for later in the year (Draft Directive 10,010.1).
- All U.S. plants are again subject to testing by
FSIS. In September 2002, FSIS announced the elimination of a 1998
program that exempted some beef plants from FSIS E. coli O157:H7
testing (USDA Press Release, Sept. 24).
- FSIS also established in July 2002 a policy to notify
suppliers when ground beef tests positive for E. coli O157:H7
further in the distribution chain to speed the recall process and protect
public health (FSIS Statement, July 15, 2002).
Ensuring that inspection personnel are anticipating
problems and enforcement is conducted promptly and consistently
- FSIS developed and is conducting new training for
consumer safety inspectors on sanitation and HACCP for raw, as well
as ready-to-eat products. To date, 800 inspectors have completed Food
Safety Regulatory Essentials training, which began in April, 2003.
There are plans to train 2,500 additional inspectors in fiscal year
2004.
- The Agency issued instructions to its consumer safety
inspectors on how to evaluate repetitive Noncompliance Reports (NRs)
issued to a meat or poultry plant to determine whether those NRs should
be linked because of a persistent, underlying problem. FSIS issued
these instructions as part of a major rewrite of its basic directive
on HACCP inspection, providing inspectors with a process to follow so
they can better perform these functions. (Revised Directive 5,000.1)
-
Through
the application of new computer software, frontline supervisors and district
managers now have the ability to access in-plant inspection information
in real time, enabling them to help spot trends and identify problem areas
needing additional attention. FSIS has also developed review and
management software to help district managers gauge and improve the performance
of inspectors: District Early Warning System (DEWS), In Plant
Performance System (IPPS).
Ensuring recalls are effectively carried out
- FSIS has improved its recall procedures. Now,
the collection of distribution information at the plant begins prior
to testing results becoming final to enhance the speed and effectiveness
of recalls. The Agency is also increasing its effectiveness checks for
Class I recalls and in cases where products are distributed to at-risk
groups.
- Through Memoranda of Understanding with FSIS, state
public health departments are ensuring that firms are quickly contacting
their suppliers and potentially contaminated product is being removed
from grocery store shelves.
- FSIS has improved its monitoring and enforcement
procedures for potentially contaminated product. Consumer Safety
Officers now verify that plants have written procedures in their HACCP
plans to ensure that returned product is controlled and disposed of
in an approved manner.
In addition to these efforts, USDA Under Secretary
for Food Safety Dr. Elsa Murano and FSIS Administrator Dr. Garry L. McKee
announced a series of new, science-based initiatives on July 10 to better
understand, predict and prevent microbiological contamination of meat
and poultry products, thereby improving health outcomes for American families.
The initiatives are included in a document entitled
“Enhancing Public Health: Strategies for the Future” and can be found
at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/programs/vision071003.htm.
The initiatives include:
Risk Analysis -- The formation of a risk analysis
coordination team was announced by Under Secretary Murano on July
25. The coordination team will help identify and concentrate Agency
resources on those meat, poultry and eggs products that have the greatest
potential for causing foodborne illness. FSIS also will coordinate
with researchers within and outside USDA so that risk analysis is conducted
more efficiently, utilizing the best science.
[news
release]
Food Safety Technologies – The FSIS New Technology
Office was announced August 12. The goal of the Agency is to shorten
the time between the development and implementation of new technologies
that will improve meat and poultry safety.
[news
release]
Training – FSIS
training programs have been redesigned to incorporate a public health
focus and the delivery of training will be brought closer to employee
work sites. The location of Regional Training Centers was announced
by FSIS Administrator Dr. McKee in Des Moines, Iowa, on August 21.
To date, 800 FSIS employees have been trained in Food Safety Regulatory
Essentials. [news
release]
Best Management Practices -- In consultation
with livestock producers, FSIS is developing a list of best management
practices for animal production facilities in an effort to help reduce
pathogens prior to slaughter. FSIS conducted a public meeting September
9 to gather input.
Baseline Studies – FSIS plans to conduct
baseline studies to determine the nationwide levels of various pathogenic
microorganisms in raw meat and poultry as a way of anticipating trends
and judging the performance of Agency initiatives. The net result will
be more targeted and effective elimination of sources of foodborne microorganisms.
President Bush included funding for this initiative in his FY 04 budget
request to Congress.
Research Agenda – FSIS will work with USDA partners
to coordinate food safety research priorities and needs.
#
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and other information at the FSIS web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov.
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FSIS Congressional and Public Affairs Staff
Phone: (202) 720-9113
Fax: (202) 690-0460
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