FSIS Completes Review of PR/HACCP Systems Final Rule

The Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a report Aug. 31, reviewing the Pathogen Reduction/Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (PR/HACCP) Systems Final Rule to determine whether it should be continued without change, amended or rescinded.

This landmark rule, issued by FSIS on July 25, 1996, focuses on prevention and reduction of microbial pathogens on raw products that can cause illness. The ruling applies to approximately 6,500 federally inspected and 2,550 state-inspected meat and poultry (slaughter and processing) plants in the United States.

The report revealed that meat and poultry slaughter plants have made significant investments to comply with the PR/HACCP rule and that FSIS has provided and continues to provide extensive technical assistance to plants through a variety of mechanisms. For the future, the agency will work towards implementing the recommendations of the ad hoc task force in the FSIS Strategic Implementation Plan for Strengthening Small and Very Small Plant Outreach.

By taking these steps, FSIS will continue to strengthen its HACCP program and pathogen reduction efforts through outreach to small and very small businesses.

This review was conducted as a result of Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) which requires all federal agencies to review any provision which has a significant impact upon a substantial number of small businesses or groups. It requires that reviews be conducted within 10 years of the implementation of a significant rule.

In February 2005, FSIS assembled a team to conduct a review of regulations implemented by the PR/HACCP rule examining a number of factors specified by Section 610 of the RFA as well as the economic impact on the meat and poultry industries. In August 2005, the agency published a Federal Register Notice requesting comments from the public on the impact of the PR/HACCP rule as well as the relevant factors noted in Section 610 of the RFA.

Additionally, FSIS conducted a survey of nine small and very small meat and poultry establishments to ensure receipt of comments from small and very small businesses affected by this rule.