US to boost testing of imported Canada meat
Monday, 5 November 2007
WASHINGTON, Nov 4 (Reuters): Meat and poultry products being imported from Canada will be subjected to increased testing and inspection after an outbreak of E. coli in several US states traced to beef from a Canadian company, the US Agriculture Department said Saturday.
The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service said it would increase testing for salmonella, listeria monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7. The agency said it would require the products be held until testing shows they do not contain any of those pathogens.
The bacteria can cause abdominal pains, diarrhea and dehydration.
Canadian meat and poultry products will also receive increased levels of reinspection by FSIS officials to confirm they are eligible to enter the US market. Those requirements will begin next week.
The FSIS said it would also conduct an audit of Canada's food safety system. The audit will focus on plants that export beef to the United States.
"The audit and stepped-up actions at the border are being conducted because of concerns about testing practices at Ranchers Beef, Ltd that were discovered as part of the ongoing investigation," said US Agriculture Undersecretary Richard Raymond.
The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service said it would increase testing for salmonella, listeria monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7. The agency said it would require the products be held until testing shows they do not contain any of those pathogens.
The bacteria can cause abdominal pains, diarrhea and dehydration.
Canadian meat and poultry products will also receive increased levels of reinspection by FSIS officials to confirm they are eligible to enter the US market. Those requirements will begin next week.
The FSIS said it would also conduct an audit of Canada's food safety system. The audit will focus on plants that export beef to the United States.
"The audit and stepped-up actions at the border are being conducted because of concerns about testing practices at Ranchers Beef, Ltd that were discovered as part of the ongoing investigation," said US Agriculture Undersecretary Richard Raymond.