Updated Food Defense Material Available

FSIS has posted a guide for developing a food defense plan for meat and poultry slaughter and processing plants, which provides a practical and achievable three-step method for creating a food defense plan.  - Posted 1/30/07 by AHB

FSIS Posts Summary Report of State Inspection Program Reviews

The report summarizes the results from comprehensive reviews of 28 states that currently operate meat and poultry inspection programs.  - Posted 1/30/07 by AHB

- Posted 1/30/07 by AHB

Out Of Sight: Maine Law Would Change Livestock Slaughter Rules

A proposed state law in Maine would prevent animals from being slaughtered within sight of other animals. - Posted 1/30/07 by AHB

Texas Horse Slaughter Plants Declared Illegal

Two horse slaughtering facilities in Texas face closure now that a U.S. appeals court ruled the practice illegal. - Posted 1/22/07 by AHB

Masters Says HACCP Top Achievement

Former FSIS administrator, Barbara Masters, tells MeatNews her involvement with HACCP was her greatest accomplishment at FSIS. - Posted 1/22/07 by AHB

FSIS Labeling Policy Guidance - Uncooked, Breaded, Boneless Poultry Products

The intent of this document is to provide guidance to the industry on the modifications that are necessary for the labeling of uncooked, breaded, boneless poultry products that also may be stuffed or filled, char-marked, or artificially colored.  - Posted 1/19/07 by AHB

FSIS Extends Comment Period For Definition Of Term 'Natural'

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service has extended the deadline for public comments on how to define the term "natural" until March 5. - Posted 1/15/07 by AHB

Interactive Knowledge Exchange (IKE) Scenario Available for Comment

This draft IKE is relates to the recently issued FSIS Notice 01-07 and is available for comment until January 19, 2007.  - Posted 1/11/07 by AHB

Administrator Masters Leaving Food Safety and Inspection Service

Agriculture Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard Raymond announced that FSIS Administrator Dr. Barbara Masters will leave the Agency effective January 19, 2007 to become Senior Policy Analyst for Olsson, Frank & Weeda, P.C. - Posted 1/5/07 by AHB

USDA OKs Live Canadian Cattle, Beef Products

Dr. John Clifford, USDA's chief veterinarian, said that once comments have been received and possible changes made, the agency intends to clear for import from Canada all cattle born on or before March 1, 1999 and boneless or bone-in beef and beef products from cattle of any age, as well as blood and blood products and some parts of the intestine. - Posted 1/5/07 by AHB

Frank Tadlock Obituary

Frank Tadlock, former AAMP president (1992-1993 term), died Tuesday after he battled a brain tumor for the past year. - Posted 1/4/07 by JBW

Cattle Engineered To Lack BSE-Causing Proteins

The findings from an international team of researchers, published in the online journal Nature Biotechnology , are leading to speculation that it may be possible to genetically engineer cattle to be free from prions, the proteins associated with bovine spongiform encephalopathy. - Posted 1/2/07 by AHB