This directive provides inspection program personnel (IPP) with instructions to verify that meat and poultry establishments are complying with the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 430.4, Control of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in Post-Lethality Exposed Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Products (the Listeria Rule). In addition, it provides IPP with instructions on verifying that establishments sampling programs meet the requirements of the Listeria Rule. It also provides instructions for collecting and submitting RTE meat and poultry products under the RTEPROD sampling project and for taking enforcement action in response to positive results. FSIS has provided additional information from FSIS guidelines that IPP can use in their decision-making when verifying the requirements of the Listeria Rule.
KEY POINTS:
• Verification of the establishment’s compliance with the Listeria Rule
• Verification that establishment’s sampling and testing programs meet the requirements of the Listeria Rule
• Collecting and submitting FSIS verification samples
• Enforcement actions in response to a positive sample result
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