USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) laboratories have validated a 325 gram analytical portion option for Salmonella analysis of raw beef.

On March 12th, the Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) published a proposed rule to amend the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) regulations.

“USDA expects that these changes will improve the overall operation of the program and also bring the current mandatory COOL requirements into compliance with U.S. international trade obligations,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

At presstime in late February, sequestration had become the No. 1 topic for the meat and poultry industry.

The USDA is expected to approve a horse slaughtering plant in New Mexico within the next two months.

Periodically, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will announce its expectation that establishments reassess their HACCP plans in addition to the annual reassessment expected by the regulations.

The notice announces the 2013 rates that FSIS will charge meat and poultry establishments, egg products plants, and importers and exporters for providing voluntary, overtime, and holiday inspection and identification, certification, and laboratory services.

"This new policy will reduce foodborne illnesses and the number of recalls by preventing contaminated products from reaching consumers," USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Elisabeth Hagen said.

The World Trade Organization has ruled that the United States must bring its country-of-origin labeling rules into compliance with an earlier WTO ruling by May 23, 2013.

It provides specific recommendations that establishments producing post-lethality exposed RTE meat and poultry products may follow to meet the requirements of 9 CFR part 430, Requirements for Specific Classes of Products (The Listeria Rule).