by Ken Krizner, managing editor
As part of its efforts to transform meat and poultry inspection from visual-based to science-based, USDA has launched 30 initiatives under the auspices of the Pathogen Reduction Program.
The initiatives are grouped under headings, including scientific research; regulatory programs; legislative action; federal, state and local activities; and consumer education.
Part of the program includes evaluating proper cooking and handling temperatures, public service announcements for consumers, risk assessments on preharvest factors related to E. coli 0157:H7 and the safe handling label proposal.
Pat Stolfa, FSIS' general manager of the Pathogen Reduction Program, outlined some of the initiatives that directly affect the red meat industry.
-- Three microbiological studies, including cows and bulls, steers and heifers, and hogs, are being conducted to collect data on pathogens, such as E coli, salmonella and campylobacter.
The studies examine nine microorganisms, six pathogens and three indicator organisms. "The pathogens are particularly important because they are implicated in food-borne illnesses," Stolfa said. "And the illnesses are very serious, as in the case of E. coli 0157:H7."
More than 3,000 samples have been targeted for the steer and heifer study, as well as 3,000 samples for the cow and bull study.
She said the steer and heifer study is complete, and that FSIS officials are analyzing the results of the samples taken.
The cow and bull study, which will be similar to the steer and heifer study, began in December.
A framework has been established for a hog study, and interested parties will have an opportunity to comment on the framework early this year, according to Stolfa.
Stolfa said she believes the baseline studies will have numerous uses.
"[Unlike poultry], we have never had a microbiological profile of inspected carcasses of red meat species," she stressed. "We simply don't have that kind of information about red meat, and so the first purpose-and original intention-of the baseline studies is to fill a knowledge void.
"Another development of the studies is that they will lead [FSIS] to more precise and targeted studies that we can use to help identify points where we can intervene to control pathogens in product. You don't get a good picture from baseline studies alone because they are too general. I think that follow-up work and more careful analysis of the data coming out of the studies will lead us in that direction."
-- FSIS is conducting a study on ground beef. Samples will be collected through the end of next month, and a report is expected in June.
"We wanted to take a look at the microbiological profile of ground beef as it leaves inspected establishments," Stolfa said. "Again, the study was designed to fill a void in the knowledge base.
"This is a study that won't take as long, doesn't have as many samples, but will look at a number of pathogens and indicator organisms," she added. "We are interested in indicator organisms because it may turn out that it becomes easier to test for indicator organisms than for pathogens. We want to be sure we understand the relationship between indicator organisms and pathogens."
-- FSIS is expected to publish rules in the Federal Register early this year requiring meat plants to keep improved record-keeping procedures that will enable the agency to track sources of meat used in a final product.
This rule is a direct result of the E. coli incident last year in western states. The companies involved in the incident had "excellent records," Stolfa said, enabling FSIS to narrow the source of the contaminated beef to nine possible facilities, although investigators could not pinpoint the source to a single farm or plant. "But that was the luck of the draw," she cautioned. "It was not a matter of regulation that they had the records [we needed]."
-- FSIS has published a notice in the Federal Register setting criteria for the development of rapid, in-plant testing.
Stolfa said FSIS officials are looking at about a dozen rapid test methods. "We have a list of technologies that we consider promising with the hope of doing a survey of state-of-the-art methods," she pointed out. "We are also evaluating a number of test kits and other improved methods. We want to establish our own competitive procurements so that we can award direct research funding for work that we believe will be the most promising."
FSIS Pathogen Reduction Initiatives
-- Conduct microbiological studies to collect more data on pathogens
-- Conduct an intensive study of ground beef
-- Require plants to improve record-keeping
-- Set criteria for rapid, in-plant testing