FSIS To Increase E. Coli O157:H7 Sampling
The Food Safety Inspection Service ("FSIS") has issued a new Notice (18-09), detailing its changes in sampling frequency for E. coli O157:H7 in raw ground beef. According to the notice, FSIS will be increasing sampling at high volume ground beef establishments at the following monthly rates:
- Up to four times within a 30-day window for establishments with ground beef product production volumes of greater than 250,000 pounds per day;
- Up to three times within a 30-day window for establishments with ground beef product production volumes of 50,000 to 250,000 pounds per day;
- Up to two times within a 30-day window for establishments with ground beef product production volumes of 1,000 to 50,000 pounds per day; and
- Generally, no more than once within a 30-day window for establishments with ground beef product production volumes of less than 1,000 pounds per day. However, FSIS will ensure that at these establishments at least one sample is collected quarterly.
According to the FSIS, the increase in sampling will allow the Agency to estimate the amount of uncontaminated raw ground beef with a higher degree of certainty. The Office of Public Health Science and the Office of Data Integration and Food Protection will analyze sample results, and will produce a weekly report on findings. According to the notice, the Office of Data Integration and Food Protection will also analyze the sampling data to identify trends (e.g., geographical, seasonal) and to evaluate program effectiveness (e.g. sample scheduling and collection rates). In addition, the data will be used to calculate a quarterly performance measure of E. coli O157:H7 in raw ground beef that will likely be included in the Agency’s quarterly performance report.
