Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 673 Procedure 

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 August 31, 2018

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 1 of 3

BLOOD PLASMA PROGRAM FOR PROCESSING AND EXPORT TO CANADA

1 PURPOSE

This procedure provides the requirements to certify beef blood plasma for inclusion in a 

Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), approved Export 

Verification (EV) Program.

2 SCOPE

In addition to the ongoing EV Program audits, in-plant monitoring for this program will be 

conducted by a QAD agent trained in the requirements of this procedure. The plasma will be 

certified as free from ocular fluid and CFS material. In-plant monitoring shall consist of the 

following:

1. Observation of food grade grease plugging of stun hole in head.

2. Observation that heads are free of specific risk material (SRM).

3. Observation that double stunned animal heads have been bagged prior to bleeding.

4. Observation that ocular fluid and brain SRM from head removal station does not 

contaminate the blood pit.

5. Observation of heads at the end of bleed rail to verify there is no leakage.

6. An accredited QAD agent will determine compliance with part 5.1.3 of the QAD 1030X

Procedure: USDA Export Verification (EV) Program Specified Product Requirements for 

SRM-Free Bovine Inedible Raw Materials using the monitoring process defined in 

section 6 of this Procedure.

a. Each plant requesting this service must have an approved AMS EV Program 

for export to Canada.

3. REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

The following referenced documents are used for the application of this document. The latest 

edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

1. Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health of Animals Regulations, Section 6.5.

2. QAD 1030X Procedure: EV Program for SRM-free Bovine Inedible Raw Materials.

3. QAD 673A Form: Plasma Checklist

4. QAD 673B Form: Sample Plan Generator (Box)

5. QAD 673C Form: Plasma Nonconformance Report
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 673 Procedure 

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 August 31, 2018

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 2 of 3

6. Knock Hole Process Monitoring, 3/25/2011.

7. U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers

4 ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS

1. QAD agents must demonstrate a performance level of 100 percent accuracy during the 

testing process. All supervisors and others responsible for the accreditation must first 

meet the applicable performance standard related to beef plasma collection.

2. The accreditation testing will be conducted on carcasses that represent the threshold 

requirement for blood plasma export to Canada.

3. QAD will maintain a list of accredited agents detailing the date, location, and scope of 

training.

5 SAMPLING CRITERIA

Carcasses Defect Rate Confidence Interval Samples

<1000 2.5 95% 112

>1000 2.5 95% 117

6 MONITORING PROCEDURES

1. The plants written SOP for Export Verification approved by USDA must include 

procedures to assure daily monitoring and control of these activities.

2. Contingency plans for separation and removal of contaminated plasma for further 

processing and export must be identified.

3. A QAD agent will randomly select a 30 minute interval for process monitoring

throughout both shifts.

4. On a daily basis the QAD agent will complete a QAD 673A Form: Plasma Checklist

record identifying the number of carcasses certified.

5. QAD will issue a non-conformance report of any activities that do not meet program 

requirements.

6. Non-conformances must be addressed in writing within 24 hours with the in-plant QAD

agent.
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 673 Procedure 

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 August 31, 2018

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 3 of 3

7 CHANGE OF RECORD

Language updated to reflect QAD terminology and renumbered to 673.

8 SUPERSEDES

GVD 1073 Work Instruction: Blood Plasma Program for Processing and Export to Canada

__________________________________

Jennifer G. Porter, Director

Quality Assessment Division

Livestock and Poultry Program

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