Inspection

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The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has released a statement about the possibility of a government shutdown and the risks it would pose to food safety in the U.S., specifically through the halting of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspections. 

On September 1, 2023, two Texas state bills went into effect for foodservice establishments: SB 577 relates to how health inspections are conducted and regulations are enforced, and SB 812 covers food allergen awareness.

Following the entry of a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA’s FSIS) for a state meat inspection program in July 2022, the Oregon Department of Agriculture been allocated $9 million in state funding to support the state meat inspection program.

Following recalls of product potentially contaminated with Cronobacter sakazakii and subsequent inspections, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning letters to three infant formula manufacturers for failing to adequately prevent the pathogenic adulteration of their formula products.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA’s FSIS) recently published recommendations from the latest National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) meeting about ways in which FSIS can enhance engagement with underserved communities to promote equity while strengthening the food supply chain and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.

Based on the results of a recent Clostridium perfringens Market Basket Study, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA’s FSIS) has concluded that the guidance currently being used for the cooling of large-mass, non-intact ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products is adequate and does not merit revision.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA’s FSIS) recently posted its fiscal year (FY) 2024 Public Health Regulations (PHR) report. The FY 2024 PHRs and their thresholds will go into effect October 2023.

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we are joined by an FDA official, a county-level environmental health regulator, and a retail food industry association representative to discuss the research and application of behavioral science with food employees and regulatory agencies to reduce foodborne illness risk factors at smaller retail foodservice businesses. 

A recent study exploring the use of a digital technologies for retail food safety inspections in the EU has revealed existing opportunities to improve inspection consistency through digitalization, as well as the barriers that exist to adopting a digital environment.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA’s FSIS) has updated its sampling program for cell-cultured meat and poultry products, providing new instructions to inspection personnel and enforcement officers.