FSIS to Host Outreach Seminars for Small Plants

The Food Safety and Inspection Service will host a six-part series of outreach seminars designed to assist small and very small plant owners and operators.

The seminars begin in November and run through April 2008.

Seminars will be held twice each day, from 10–11 a.m. and from 6–7 p.m. Dates and topics are as follows:

Nov. 6, 2007 — This seminar will cover FSIS policies related to the removal of specific risk materials (SRMs) in beef slaughter and processing operations. It will focus on changes in the final rule, which became effective Oct. 1, compared with the interim rule that plants had been operating under since 2004.

Dec. 5, 2007 — This seminar will review FSIS guidelines for generic E. coli testing for process control verification in cattle, swine and poultry establishments. Sampling issues and how to achieve statistical process control in small and very small establishments will also be discussed.

Jan. 23, 2008 — This seminar will provide descriptions of new food safety technologies that small and very small plants can use to control pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella in meat and poultry slaughter operations. The focus will be on strategies that are novel, low-cost, practical and easy-to-implement.

Feb. 20, 2008 — Representatives from the FSIS Labeling and Program Delivery Division will discuss the requirements of generic labeling of meat and poultry products and describe the types of information that is allowed and not allowed on generic labels.

March 12, 2008 — This seminar will provide descriptions of new food safety technologies that small and very small plants can use to control pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products. The focus will be on strategies that are novel, low-cost, practical and easy-to-implement.

April 16, 2008 — This seminar will emphasize methods that small and very small meat, poultry and egg products establishments can implement to ensure effective sanitation and safer products for consumers.

Online registration forms and more information about these seminars will be available here.