Processor Recall Plans will be Mandatory

Within the next year, meat processors will be required to develop and maintain a recall plan, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials told participants at a conference on E. coli O157:H7 prevention hosted by North American Meat Processors Association.

As mandated by the 2008 Farm Bill, USDA is currently developing rules the agency expects to publish in the coming months.

In a conference presentation, Karlease Kelly, Food Safety Inspection Service assistant administrator for outreach, employee education and training, outlined what processors can expect to include in a mandatory recall plan. Some of the specifics include identification of recall personnel; recall procedures; evaluation of health hazards; scope of recall; records that permit product identification and facilitate traceback; depth of recall; recall communications content and implementation plan; responsibility of recipient; public notification; returned product; and recall simulations.

Reprinted in part from meatingplace.com