USDA

... 

United States Department of Agriculture 

Food Safety and 

Inspection Service 

Office of Field 

Operations 

Denver District Office 

1 Denver Federal 

Center, Bldg. 45 

P.O. Box 25387 

Denver, CO 80225 

Voice (303)236-9800 

Fax (303)236-9794 

September 27, 2023 

SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL 

Todd Elsbeny, Owner 

Lacy Sanders, Plant Manager 

Alaska Meat Packers Inc., 

Establishment 20891 M/PN 

385 E. Outer Springer Loop 

Palmer, AK 99645 

lacy@alaskameatpackers.com 

LETTER OF DEFERRAL (LOD) 

Dear Mr. Elsbeny, 

On September 25, the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) issued your establishment, 

Alaska Meat Packers, Inc., Est. M/PN20891, a Notice ofIntended Enforcement 

(NOIE) in accordance with FSIS Rules ofPractice, Title 9 CFR 500.3(b), based on your 

failure to meet regulato1y requirements regarding livestock humane slaughter at your 

establishment. 

On September 25, 2023, the Denver District Office received a written response from 

your fom. After reviewing your response, FSIS requested clarification on September 

26, 2023. On September 26, 2023, the Denver District Office received your fnm's 

clarifications. FSIS has carefully reviewed all your responses and detennined that, 

based on your proposed modifications and plan of action, FSIS will defer a decision on 

an enforcement action pending verification by FSIS inspection personnel that Alaska 

Meat Packers Inc., Est. M20891, has effectively implemented its proposed measures. 

The decision pe1taining to this enforcement action will be based upon the plant's 

validation, verification, and execution ofthese actions. Plant personnel should continue 

to monitor operations to prevent additional inhumane failures from occmTing. 

Please be advised that as a federally inspected establishment, you are expected to 

comply with the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and all applicable FSIS 

regulations. Your failure to comply with the regulato1y requirements, or to effectively 

implement the measures addressed in your written responses, may result in FSIS 

initiating fuither enforcement actions, and/or other appropriate administrative or legal 

actions. 
FSIS will design a verification plan to confinn that your establishment is implementing the 

conective actions you provided in your responses to the NOIE. The FSIS Verification Plan is 

designed to ensure that your establishment fully implements the revisions to your humane 

handling program and other corrective actions stated in your submissions, including all 

monitoring activities at your establishment and that these revisions and actions are effective in 

assuring future regulato1y compliance. 

FSIS will provide you a copy of the verification plan. Please be advised that only FSIS can 

amend the verification plan. If your establishment wishes to modify your proposed conective 

actions during the defenal period, please subinit these changes, in writing, to FSIS for approval 

prior to making any changes in your actions. 

Ifyou have questions regarding this matter, please conta.ct the Denver District Office at (303) 236-

9800. 

Sincerely, 

Digitallysii,,ed by J BIFER JENIFER MOtfTEVERDE 

MONTEVERDE o:ri!°n 09 21os 04 22 

Dr. Robert Reeder 

District Manager 

USDA FSIS OFO 

Denver District Office 

cc: F/OQER 

Est. File 

D. James, DDM 

J. Monteverde, DDM 

~ s 

S. Sinith, RD/OIEA 

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