Test and Hold Policy Open for Comments

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to change its procedures and withhold a determination as to whether meat and poultry products are not adulterated, and thus eligible to enter commerce, until all test results that bear on the determination have been received. Inspection program personnel periodically sample products for adulterants to verify an establishment's regulatory compliance. The practice has been to allow these products to bear the mark of inspection and to enter commerce, even though the test results have not been received. FSIS has asked, but has not required, official establishments to maintain control of products represented by a sample pending test results.

Because establishments, including official import inspection establishments, are not consistently maintaining control of product, despite FSIS's request that they do so, adulterated product is entering commerce. Therefore, FSIS is announcing its tentative determination not to apply the mark of inspection until negative results are available and received for any testing for adulterants conducted by the agency.

FSIS invites comments on this proposed change in policy and procedures. Comments received on or before July 11 will be considered.

Additional information is available in the Federal Register at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-8408.htm.