MEAT+POULTRY - January 2025 - 39

products were contaminated by Listeria and
making people sick.
As of Dec. 5, 2024, 19 people from eight
states had been infected with the outbreak
strains of Listeria, according to the Atlantabased
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC). In California, a mother
and her twins were sick and both infants
died. Listeria was found in a sample from
the mother and from one of the twin infants,
however it could not be found in a sample
from the other infant. Because of this, only the
mother and one twin are included as confirmed
cases in this outbreak.
In Tennessee, a mother and her infant were
sick and her infant died. And, of 19 people with
information available, 17 were hospitalized.
Prior to the Yu Shang Food outbreak, public
health officials linked liverwurst and other deli
meats made at a Boar's Head Provisions plant
in Jarrett, Va., to 61 cases of listeriosis across
19 states. CDC reported 10 deaths and 60
hospitalizations linked to that outbreak.
In response, USDA-FSIS announced new
measures aimed at strengthening the agency's
oversight of meat, poultry and egg processing
facilities. The agency detailed new measures
to be implemented within 30 days of the
announcement that came on Dec. 17. The
changes fall into three categories: enhancing
the agency's science-based approach to
mitigate foodborne pathogens, with a key focus
on Listeria monocytogenes; improving training
and tools for the inspection workforce; and
evolving its oversight of regulated facilities,
with an emphasis on data review and state
inspection agreements.
Effective January 2025, FSIS will add
broader Listeria species testing to all samples
of ready-to-eat products, environmental and
food contact surfaces, a move the agency
expects will help provide more information
about the effectiveness of a facility's sanitation
program and can signal to FSIS if follow up
is needed.
Additionally, FSIS intends to leverage the
expertise of the National Advisory Committee
on Microbiological Criteria for Foods
(NACMCF), which provides scientific advice
and recommendations to USDA and other
government agencies on microbiological and
public health issues. FSIS began accepting
nominations for NACMCF membership
www.meatpoultry.com | 01.25 | MEAT+POULTRY
39
Dec. 20. In 2025, USDA plans to appoint 30
committee members whose work will include
reviewing FSIS's regulatory approach to
Listeria monocytogenes.
Additional actions intended to strengthen
FSIS' inspection and oversight include:
Equipping FSIS inspectors with
updated training and tools to recognize
and respond to systemic food safety
issues - Under this initiative, FSIS will update
its instructions and training for food safety
inspectors to better equip the workforce to
recognize and highlight systemic problems in
a standardized way. Agency inspectors will
receive updated instructions and training,
and FSIS field supervisors will routinely
review these instructions with inspectors to
ensure full understanding and appropriate
application. Inspectors will also receive
supplemental Listeria monocytogenes
control training designed to help strengthen
inspectors' understanding of the regulatory
requirements in FSIS's Listeria Rule and how
to verify establishments have designed and
implemented food safety systems that comply
with those requirements.
FSIS also will conduct Food Safety
Assessments (in-depth food safety reviews)
at ready-to-eat meat and poultry facilities. In
fiscal 2025, FSIS is prioritizing completion of
Food Safety Assessments at ready-to-eat meat
A food safety investigation
linked liverwurst and other
deli meats made at a Boar's
Head Provisions plant to 10
deaths and 61 illnesses.
http://www.meatpoultry.com
MEAT+POULTRY - January 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of MEAT+POULTRY - January 2025
