The US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is providing a set of draft guidelines to help small and very small meat and poultry manufacturers reduce harmful bacteria in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods. This guide sets out standard regulatory procedures and will help establishments understand how best to operate to ensure a safer quality product.

Al Almanza, Administrator of FSIS, explained: "The prevention of foodborne illness is our top priority. These guidelines spell out FSIS´ recommended best practices when it comes to producing food items that consumers usually do not cook before eating. Our goal is to help industry apply some of the recent lessons we have learned so they can prevent future problems, resulting in safer ready–to–eat food for consumers."

In light of several illness-related recalls in 2010, FSIS has improved guidelines for RTE meat and poultry products with special emphasis on the causes of these recalls. In some instances, pathogens were introduced to the products after it had undergone processing. This compliance guide illustrates measures to help prevent contamination in these types of situations, such as the application of a spice or sauce to products after cooking or curing.

The draft guide does not represent new requirements for the meat and poultry industry but will assist small and very small manufacturers in meeting current FSIS regulations. FSIS will post the draft compliance guide on its Significant Guidance Documents web site [click here].

FSIS welcomes public comments to improve the document's content, readability, applicability and accessibility. FSIS will accept comments for 60 days and will then update the document in response to suggestions. Comments may be submitted through www.regulations.gov or by mail. Send mail items to Docket Clerk, US Department of Agriculture, FSIS Room 2-217, George Washington Carver Center, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5474, Beltsville, MD 20705-05474.

All comments must include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2010-0026. Comments received in response to this docket will be made available for public inspection and posted without change, including any personal information [click here].