In
January 2004, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
assembled a team to assess and measure the effectiveness
of the new regulation to control Listeria monocytogenes
(L. monocytogenes) in ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry
products. The L. monocytogenes Assessment Team
was charged with identifying these measures of effectiveness
as well as making recommendations for further evaluations.
A report was published which presents the major findings
and recommendations of the Team. This information will be
considered in finalizing the interim final rule. The Team
also began planning for long-term Agency initiatives in
the areas of retail sampling, RTE shelf life and public
health issues.
The
28-member Team represented staff organizations from the
Agency. The
report found that many plants have made significant improvements
such as adding antimicrobial ingredients to their product
formulations to inhibit the growth of Lm and installing
a post-processing treatment step to eliminate the pathogen.
In addition, the report found that plants have either initiated
or greatly increased their testing for Listeria
or Listeria -like organisms on plant surfaces that
come in contact with products after cooking.
Plans
are underway to continually improve the Agency's efforts
to assure that all size establishments and consumers, especially
those at risk, are aware of the necessary actions needed
to assure RTE products are produced, labeled, and consumed
in a safe manner. Initiatives
are continuing to focus on improving the safety of RTE meat
and poultry products at retail deli counters.
Recommendations
have been made to address economic impact, training needs,
and communications with small businesses. Priorities are
listed to provide training to a large number of inspection
personnel with ideas on how to expand the Agency's efforts
using cost conscious, proven educational technologies such
as web-based training to deliver and track progress. Ideas
are also presented to improve efforts to reach small businesses,
revise the Agency's Compliance Guidelines, and specifically
provide assistance on how to assure products are properly
classified as RTE. |
