USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is affirming, with minor changes, the interim final rule , "Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Meat and Poultry Products." FSIS is clarifying in the regulations that establishments may not release into commerce product that has been in contact with Listeria monocytogenes-contaminated surfaces without reprocessing the product. The update also no longer requires establishments to report production volume and related information, given that FSIS now routinely collects this information through its Public Health Information System. FSIS cited data indicating the effectiveness of the interim final rule in controlling Listeria in RTE meat and poultry products, revealing the percent positive rate decreased from 0.76 percent to 0.34 percent from 2003 to 2013.
The changes will take effect September 17, 2015. The public may submit comments either online or by mail to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop 3782, Room 8-163A, Washington, DC 20250-3700. Comments are due by August 18, 2015.
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