The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) last week issued an updated version of its guidance document on pre-harvest management controls and intervention options for reducing Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) shedding in cattle. Entitled Pre-Harvest Management Controls and Intervention Options for Reducing Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Shedding in Cattle: An Overview of Current Research (Docket No. FSIS-2009-0034-0063), the updated document sets out innovative ways to control pathogens in beef at pre-harvest and pre-harvest pathogen control strategies for animals presented for slaughter, according to FSIS.

In addition, the Federal Register notice announcing the guidance summarizes and responds to comments received on the guidance document and on the pre-harvest management issues that FSIS raised in a previous Federal Register notice and public meeting. FSIS is accepting public comments on the updated document through Sept. 15, 2014, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Comments may be submitted electronically via Regulations.gov, by mail to Docket Room Manager, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3782, Room 8-163B, Washington, DC 20250-3700, or by hand or courier to Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E. Street SW, Room 8-163B, Washington, DC 20250-3700.