FSIS Issues New N60 Sampling Instructions

WASHINGTONThe Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued Directive 10,010.1, Revision 3: Verification Activities for E. coli O157:H7 in Raw Beef Products. The revised directive includes new N60 sampling instructions and instructions for training on the new N60 sampling, instructions for sampling ammoniated beef products and instructions for sampling bench trim.

The N60 sampling instructions also apply to samples collected under the MT55 bench trim sampling program and the MT51 sampling program for routine testing of imported beef manufacturing trimmings and components.

The directive also provides clarifying information on sampling raw ground beef components other than beef manufacturing trimmings and includes instruction to inspection program personnel (IPP) and Import Inspection Personnel for sampling raw beef products for FSIS verification testing for E. coli O157:H7.

The directive also outlines actions that FSIS will take when samples of raw ground beef, raw ground beef components, or raw beef patty components test positive for E. coli O157:H7 and includes instructions for other verification activities concerning E. coli O157:H7.

The key changes include instructions for sampling bench trim; instructions for sampling ammoniated products; actions if an establishment is both a sole supplier and a repeat supplier; continuing to collect samples after a positive follow-up sampling result; change in the frequency that PAD checks STEPS to schedule follow-up sampling at suppliers; updating the establishment profile extensions; and importance of rotating products when sampling components other than beef manufacturing trimmings.