USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service today clarified its intentions regarding a new mandatory test and hold policy that was reported by trade press August 5. (See “USDA Responds to AMI Petition By Announcing It Will Mandate Test and Hold, Reports Indicate,” August 5, http://www.meatami.com/ )
The agency will publish an announcement of its intention to change procedures and require that any product sampled for pathogens be held under a company’s control until negative tests results are received. The agency said that in contrast to news reports, comments will be accepted for 60 days.
Source: American Meat Institute