Dr. Richard Raymond, under secretary for food safety, USDA, announced pending implementation of a new risk-based inspection system for meat, poultry and egg processing plants. “To continue to prevent foodborne illness, we have to improve our prevention capabilities, not just respond quickly after an outbreak occurs,” he says.
USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) plans to launch the system in April at 30 locations, representing some 254 processing plants. That number is expected to grow to 150 locations by the end of 2007.
Currently, according to Raymond, “inspection program personnel carry out assigned tasks at processing establishments daily and take enforcement action when necessary to ensure that meat, poultry and egg products are safe, wholesome and accurately labeled.” Under the new risk-based system, “inspection program personnel will be able to ... focus inspection activities on those plants and processes needing the most attention,” according to FSIS.
Following announcement of the system timetable, several industry association issued comments. Cal Dooley, president and CEO, Grocery Manufacturers/Food Products Association (GMA/FPA), Washington, D.C., says: “We view Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard Raymond’s announced plans for moving ahead with risk-based inspection of meat and poultry processing plants as a step forward to creating a more effective and efficient inspection system. GMA/FPA is a strong supporter of risk-based inspection and over the coming weeks, we will review the specifics of the proposal and look forward to working with all stakeholders to address any areas of concern.”
J. Patrick Boyle, president, American Meat Institute (AMI), Washington, D.C., expressed concern about the system’s implementation. “A thoughtfully constructed risk-based inspection system has the potential to enhance food safety,” he says. “However, key constituents like inspectors, consumers and industry are unclear about precisely how this program will work and therefore have significant concerns. USDA is forcing 250 plants that produce branded, trusted meat and poultry products into a new and already controversial program with little notice or buy-in. This approach could threaten consumer confidence in these companies and their products after a decade of dramatic food safety enhancements.”
