FSIS REISSUES NOTICE FOR VERIFYING PROCESSING STEPS IN RTE PRODUCTS

On February 1, 2012, FSIS issued Notice 08-12, Instructions for Verifying All Steps in the Processing of Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Products. This Notice is a reissuance of the content of FSIS Notice 01-11 and provides Inspection Program Personnel with instructions for verifying that plant HACCP plans 1) adequately address all hazards inherent to the production of RTE products; 2) includes all steps in their hazard analysis; and 3) considered potential hazards from ingredients added to the product post lethality treatment. The reissuance is in response to several meat and poultry recalls associated with the addition of ingredients, spices, or sauce after the lethality process step.

The Notice instructs IPPs to not assume that non-meat ingredients are treated to address pathogens of concern and  to be aware of possible post-lethality processing environment recontamination through contact with insanitary surfaces, improper handling by establishment employees, the addition of raw materials or ingredients after the lethality step, and contact with insect or animal vectors. Additionally, IPPs are to verify that plants have evaluated supplier interventions, checked purchasing specifications and performed any in-plant testing verification identified by the establishment as necessary.  A fill copy of the notice may be obtained at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/08-12.pdf