The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued updated rules for Salmonella analysis of imported beef.
The notice has several key points, including:
- Raw beef samples collected for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) testing will also be analyzed for Salmonella.
- Inspection personnel are not to add a Salmonella type of inspection.
- Salmonella analysis results are non-regulatory and will not result in refused entry, because Salmonella is not considered an adulterant in raw meat products.
Beef which tests positive for STEC will still be refused entry. If beef tests negative for STEC but positive for Salmonella, the importer will be informed, but no regulatory action will be taken. If beef tests negative for STEC before Salmonella test results are returned, the beef will be released from hold.
The updated rules can be seen under “Regulations & Policies” at www.fsis.usda.gov.
