Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today said that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will announce the first step in a new trace back policy for ground beef within 90 days. Vilsack made his comments at International Association for Food Protection Annual Conference.
“Ground beef follows a long and complex processing chain, and we need a better system for tracing back contaminated product in that chain quickly,” Vilsack said. “ In 90 days, I expect the agency to announce the first step in transforming our traceback policy. I've also instructed the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to complete a pilot study on new technologies and sampling methods that help us test ground beef and trim more quickly and efficiently. If we hold industry accountable for safe food, then our tests and sampling methods must be the best available.”
In addition, Vilsack said he expects to see the implementation of a ‘test and hold’ policy later this year.
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