X

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Food Safety and Inspection 

Service

1. CASE NUMBER:

2. EST. NUMBER: 3. EST. ID:

4a. ESTABLISHMENT NAME:

4b. ESTABLISHMENT ADDRESS/ P.O. BOX

4c. CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE

5b. NAME OF PHV 5c. NAME OF IIC

6. DATE(S) OF VISIT (MM/DD/YY)

FROM: TO:

7. CIRCUIT VISITED (4-

digit no.)

8. PLANT SIZE

9. SPECIES SLAUGHTERED

11. STUNNING USED:

XKC5611062604CP $ODPHGD '2 *&3

3770 Middle Two Rock Road

5a. NAME OF DVMS

6/3/2019 6/3/2019 0531

P8289 5361

Reichardt Duck Farm, Inc.

X Duck

Other

Large X Small Very Small

District Office Direction

X Routine Visit

Repetitive NonCompliance

Data-Driven Visit

Suspicion of Violations

Special Correlation/Other

12. REASON FOR VISIT

1

GOOD COMMERCIAL PRACTICES

CORRELATION VISIT REPORT

YES NO

 STUNNING METHOD: Controlled Atmosphere Stunning

X Electric Stunning

Petaluma, California 94952-4625

10a. LINE SPEED:

10b. NUMBER OF LINES:

Page 1 of 3 P8289 REICHARDT DUCK FARM

(b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6)(b) (4)
13. SYSTEMATIC APPROACH USED?

IF YES, CHECK ITEMS BELOW THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED; NUMBERS CORRESPOND TO THE THREE 

STEPS OF THE SYSTEMATIC APPROACH

X Yes No IMPLEMENTATION NOT ASSESSED PER THIS DATE

X 1. Assessing under what circumstances poultry may experience excitement, discomfort, or

accidental injury while being handled in connection with slaughter.

X 2. Taking steps to minimize the possibility of such excitement,

discomfort, and accidental injury.

X 3. Evaluating periodically how poultry are being handled and slaughtered to ensure

(a) that excitement, discomfort, or accidental injury is being minimized;

(b) that poultry are slaughtered in a manner that results in thorough bleeding

of the poultry carcass; and

(c) that breathing has stopped before scalding.

14. RECOMMENDATIONS

X No Action

15. FINDINGS / Narrative Report:

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Page 2 of 3 P8289 REICHARDT DUCK FARM

(b) (6)(b) (6) (b) (6)

X

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Food Safety and Inspection 

Service

1. CASE NUMBER:

3. EST. ID:

4a. ESTABLISHMENT NAME:

4b. ESTABLISHMENT ADDRESS/ P.O. BOX

4c. CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE

5b. NAME OF PHV 5c. NAME OF IIC

6. DATE(S) OF VISIT (MM/DD/YY)

FROM: TO:

7. CIRCUIT VISITED (4-

digit no.)

8. PLANT SIZE

9. SPECIES SLAUGHTERED

11. STUNNING USED:

NCO1316060621CP $/$0('$ '2  *&3

1078 North Avenue

5a. NAME OF DVMS

(night shift)

 (day shift)

6/11/2019 6/11/2019 0502

9259

2. EST. NUMBER:

M27389+P27389

Pitman Farms

X Chicken

X Duck

Goose

Turkey

Other

X Large Small Very Small

12. REASON FOR VISIT

GOOD COMMERCIAL PRACTICES

CORRELATION VISIT REPORT

YES NO

 STUNNING METHOD: X Controlled Atmosphere Stunning

Electric Stunning

Sanger, California 93657

10a. LINE SPEED:

10b. NUMBER OF LINES:

Page 1 of 4 M27389 PITMAN FARMS

(b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6)

(b) (4)

(b) (
13. SYSTEMATIC APPROACH USED?

IF YES, CHECK ITEMS BELOW THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED; NUMBERS CORRESPOND TO THE THREE 

STEPS OF THE SYSTEMATIC APPROACH

District Office Direction

X Routine Visit

Repetitive NonCompliance

Data-Driven Visit

Suspicion of Violations

Special Correlation/Other

Yes X No IMPLEMENTATION NOT ASSESSED PER THIS DATE

1. Assessing under what circumstances poultry may experience excitement, discomfort, or

accidental injury while being handled in connection with slaughter.

2. Taking steps to minimize the possibility of such excitement,

discomfort, and accidental injury.

3. Evaluating periodically how poultry are being handled and slaughtered to ensure

(a) that excitement, discomfort, or accidental injury is being minimized;

(b) that poultry are slaughtered in a manner that results in thorough bleeding

of the poultry carcass; and

(c) that breathing has stopped before scalding.

14. RECOMMENDATIONS

X No Action

NR by IIC

NOIE

Suspension/Withdrawal

Other

Letter of Concern

15. FINDINGS / Narrative Report:

Correlation:

USDA:

Day shift: ; Night shift; 

Page 2 of 4 M27389 PITMAN FARMS

(b) (6) (b) (6)


X

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Food Safety and Inspection 

Service

1. CASE NUMBER:

3. EST. ID:

4a. ESTABLISHMENT NAME:

4b. ESTABLISHMENT ADDRESS/ P.O. BOX

4c. CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE

5b. NAME OF PHV 5c. NAME OF IIC

6. DATE(S) OF VISIT (MM/DD/YY)

FROM: TO:

7. CIRCUIT VISITED (4-

digit no.)

8. PLANT SIZE

9. SPECIES SLAUGHTERED

11. STUNNING USED:

JDD1516064421CP $/$0('$ '2  *&3

500 F Street

5a. NAME OF DVMS

day shift

, 

night shift

6/12/2019 6/12/2019 0508

5112

2. EST. NUMBER:

M18909 + P157

Foster Farms

X Turkey

Other

X Large Small Very Small

District Office Direction

X Routine Visit

Repetitive NonCompliance

Data-Driven Visit

Suspicion of Violations

Special Correlation/Other

12. REASON FOR VISIT

1

GOOD COMMERCIAL PRACTICES

CORRELATION VISIT REPORT

YES NO

 STUNNING METHOD: Controlled Atmosphere Stunning

X Electric Stunning

Turlock, California 95380

10a. LINE SPEED:

10b. NUMBER OF LINES:

Page 1 of 3 M18909/P157 FOSTER FARMS TURKEY

(b) (4) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6)
13. SYSTEMATIC APPROACH USED?

IF YES, CHECK ITEMS BELOW THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED; NUMBERS CORRESPOND TO THE THREE 

STEPS OF THE SYSTEMATIC APPROACH

X Yes No IMPLEMENTATION NOT ASSESSED PER THIS DATE

X 1. Assessing under what circumstances poultry may experience excitement, discomfort, or

accidental injury while being handled in connection with slaughter.

2. Taking steps to minimize the possibility of such excitement,

discomfort, and accidental injury.

3. Evaluating periodically how poultry are being handled and slaughtered to ensure

(a) that excitement, discomfort, or accidental injury is being minimized;

(b) that poultry are slaughtered in a manner that results in thorough bleeding

of the poultry carcass; and

(c) that breathing has stopped before scalding.

14. RECOMMENDATIONS

No Action

NR by IIC

NOIE

Suspension/Withdrawal

X Other MOI - Heat stress in birds

Letter of Concern

15. FINDINGS / Narrative Report:

&orrelation:

USDA: Day shift: ; Night shift; 

Establishment: Day Shift: David Alverson, Plant Manager; 

Correlation with IPP was conducted separately and included pre-assessment findings, as well as reviews of 9 

CFR 381.65(b) and FSIS Directive 6110.1.

Pre-Visit Data Review:

PHIS data was reviewed from June 12, 2018 to June 11, 2019. Est. M18909/P157 Foster Farms is a large turkey 

slaughter/processing facility.

No Noncompliance Records for Good Commercial Practices (GCP) were issued during the above interval. The 

following non-regulatory GCP concerns were discussed with establishment management and documented as 

Memorandum of Information (MOI) in PHIS:

January 7, 2019, PHIS #JDD5319013508G: SPHV observed a conscious turkey without D QHFN FXW HQWHU WKH

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Page 2 of 3 M18909/P157 FOSTER FARMS TURKEY

(b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6)

X

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Food Safety and Inspection 

Service

1. CASE NUMBER:

2. EST. NUMBER: 3. EST. ID:

4a. ESTABLISHMENT NAME:

4b. ESTABLISHMENT ADDRESS/ P.O. BOX

4c. CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE

5b. NAME OF PHV 5c. NAME OF IIC

6. DATE(S) OF VISIT (MM/DD/YY)

FROM: TO:

7. CIRCUIT VISITED (4-

digit no.)

8. PLANT SIZE

9. SPECIES SLAUGHTERED

11. STUNNING USED:

NRF5017072026CP $/$0('$ '2 *&3

8612 Younger Creek Drive

5a. NAME OF DVMS

N/A

7/12/2019 7/12/2019 0517

P9030 5383

New American Poultry

X Chicken

Pigeon

Other

Large X Small Very Small

District Office Direction

X Routine Visit

Repetitive NonCompliance

Data-Driven Visit

Suspicion of Violations

Special Correlation/Other

12. REASON FOR VISIT

10b. NUMBER OF LINES:

1

GOOD COMMERCIAL PRACTICES

CORRELATION VISIT REPORT

YES NO

 STUNNING METHOD: Controlled Atmosphere Stunning

X Electric Stunning

Sacramento, California 95828

10a. LINE SPEED:

Page 1 of 3 P9030 NEW AMERICAN POULTRY

(b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (4)
13. SYSTEMATIC APPROACH USED?

IF YES, CHECK ITEMS BELOW THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED; NUMBERS CORRESPOND TO THE THREE 

STEPS OF THE SYSTEMATIC APPROACH

X Yes No IMPLEMENTATION NOT ASSESSED PER THIS DATE

X

 Assessing under what circumstances poultry may experience excitement, discomfort, or accidental injury while

being handled in connection with slaughter.

 Taking steps to minimize the possibility of such excitement,

discomfort, and accidental injury.

 Evaluating periodically how poultry are being handled and slaughtered to ensure

D that excitement, discomfort, or accidental injury is being minimized;

E that poultry are slaughtered in a manner that results in thorough bleeding

of the poultry carcass; and

F that breathing has stopped before scalding.

14. RECOMMENDATIONS

X No Action

NR by IIC

NOIE

Suspension/Withdrawal

Other

Letter of Concern

15. FINDINGS / Narrative Report:

Correlation:

Plant Manager: Ken Cheung

Correlation with IPP was conducted separately and included pre-assessment findings, as well as reviews of 9 

CFR 381.65(b) and FSIS Directive 6110.1.

Pre-Visit Data Review:

PHIS data was reviewed from July 12, 2018 to July 11, 2019. Est. P9030 is a small poultry slaughter/processing 

facility. The plant slaughters young chickens and squabs.

One noncompliance record (NR) was issued for noncompliance with 9 CFR 381.65(b) during the above interval:

October 11, 2018, #NRF3814100412N-1; the FSIS inspector found 4 squab carcasses that were bright red, 

indicating cadaver birds that had not thoroughly bled out before entering the scalder.

Page 2 of 3 P9030 NEW AMERICAN POULTRY

(b) (6)

X

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Food Safety and Inspection 

Service

1. CASE NUMBER:

2. EST. NUMBER: 3. EST. ID:

4a. ESTABLISHMENT NAME:

4b. ESTABLISHMENT ADDRESS/ P.O. BOX

4c. CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE

5b. NAME OF PHV 5c. NAME OF IIC

6. DATE(S) OF VISIT (MM/DD/YY)

FROM: TO:

7. CIRCUIT VISITED (4-

digit no.)

8. PLANT SIZE

9. SPECIES SLAUGHTERED

11. STUNNING USED:

VYF2213103901CP $ODPHGD '2 *&3

2700 Lakeville Highway

5a. NAME OF DVMS

9/25/2019 9/25/2019 0531

P2882 5204

Perdue Foods LLC

X Chicken

Other

Large X Small Very Small

District Office Direction

X Routine Visit

Repetitive NonCompliance

Data-Driven Visit

Suspicion of Violations

Special Correlation/Other

12. REASON FOR VISIT

1

GOOD COMMERCIAL PRACTICES

CORRELATION VISIT REPORT

YES NO

 STUNNING METHOD: Controlled Atmosphere Stunning

X Electric Stunning

Petaluma, California 94955

10a. LINE SPEED:

10b. NUMBER OF LINES:

Page 1 of 3 P2882 Perdue Foods LLC

(b) (4) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6)
13. SYSTEMATIC APPROACH USED?

IF YES, CHECK ITEMS BELOW THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED; NUMBERS CORRESPOND TO THE THREE 

STEPS OF THE SYSTEMATIC APPROACH

X Yes No IMPLEMENTATION NOT ASSESSED PER THIS DATE

X 1. Assessing under what circumstances poultry may experience excitement, discomfort, or

accidental injury while being handled in connection with slaughter.

X 2. Taking steps to minimize the possibility of such excitement,

discomfort, and accidental injury.

X 3. Evaluating periodically how poultry are being handled and slaughtered to ensure

(a) that excitement, discomfort, or accidental injury is being minimized;

(b) that poultry are slaughtered in a manner that results in thorough bleeding

of the poultry carcass; and

(c) that breathing has stopped before scalding.

14. RECOMMENDATIONS

X No Action

NR by IIC

NOIE

Suspension/Withdrawal

Other

Letter of Concern

15. FINDINGS / Narrative Report:

Correlation:

Correlation with IPP was conducted separately and included pre-assessment findings, as well as reviews of 9 

CFR 381.65(b) and FSIS Directive 6110.1.

Pre-Visit Data Review:

PHIS data was reviewed from September 25, 2018 to September 24, 2019. This is a VPDOO poultry slaughter and 

processing establishment that operates on one shift, usually five days per week. There have been no Good 

Commercial Practices (GCP) Noncompliance Records or non-regulatory concerns MOIs in PHIS during the above

interval.

Systematic Approach:

The Establishment has a written systematic approach in place that assesses under what circumstances poultry 

may experience excitement, discomfort and accidental injury as UHFRPPHQGHG LQ )HGHUDO 5HJLVWHU 1RWLFH 'RFNHW

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Page 2 of 3 P2882 Perdue Foods LLC

(b) (6)


13. SYSTEMATIC APPROACH USED?

IF YES, CHECK ITEMS BELOW THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED; NUMBERS CORRESPOND TO THE THREE 

STEPS OF THE SYSTEMATIC APPROACH

X Yes No IMPLEMENTATION NOT ASSESSED PER THIS DATE

X 1. Assessing under what circumstances poultry may experience excitement, discomfort, or

accidental injury while being handled in connection with slaughter.

X 2. Taking steps to minimize the possibility of such excitement,

discomfort, and accidental injury.

X 3. Evaluating periodically how poultry are being handled and slaughtered to ensure

(a) that excitement, discomfort, or accidental injury is being minimized;

(b) that poultry are slaughtered in a manner that results in thorough bleeding

of the poultry carcass; and

(c) that breathing has stopped before scalding.

14. RECOMMENDATIONS

X No Action

NR by IIC

NOIE

Suspension/Withdrawal

Other

Letter of Concern

15. FINDINGS / Narrative Report:

&orrelated With:

Summary of Data Assessment Prior to Visit:

Est. P9332 is a HACCP-small turkey slaughter/processing facility. PHIS slaughter data and NR/MOI 

summary reports for the period November 14, 2018 to November 13, 2019 were reviewed. No Poultry 

GCP MOI or NR issuances were found in PHIS during this interval.

6\VWHPDWLF $SSURDFK &RPPHQWV

The establishment has a systematic approach in place that assesses under what circumstances poultry 

may experience excitement, discomfort and accidental injury, minimizes the possibility of such 

excitement, discomfort and accidental injury, and periodically evaluates and improves their handling and 

slaughter methods, as addressed in Federal Register Docket #04-037N "Treatment of Live Poultry 

Before Slaughter”.

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Page 2 of 3 P9332 Diestel Turkey

(b) (6)



Food Safety and 

Inspection 

Service

1400 

Independence 

Avenue, SW. 

Washington, 

D.C. 20250

From:

Date: 9/3/2019

Subject: Good Commercial Practices/Live Hang

Meeting Date: 9/3/2019

Meeting Time: 8:00 AM

Establishment: P325 - Tyson Foods, Inc.

Reason Code:

Other Reason 

Code:

Comments:

On Wednesday, 8/28/2019, approximately 0700 hours, while observing conditions in the Live 

Hang and Picker Room areas after an extended power outage (approximately 1 hour and 22 

minutes since the outage began), observed live birds hanging on the kill line, 

 closest to the entry door, past the first window in an area where employees are typically 

stationed to remove birds from the line that are considered ineligible for slaughter and to 

ensure birds eligible for slaughter are presented properly. also observed birds on the 

line entering into the stunner and past the stunner. verbally notified 

, and proceeded to show him the findings. asked 

, why the birds had not been removed from the line given the amount of time 

operations had not been active. stated that they couldn͛t remove the birds 

due to the leg bar holding them in place on the line. asked if he could 

euthanize the birds at that time. She replied she would not give him instructions but would 

notify her immediate supervisor of the issue. also observed birds hanging on the live 

hang line submerged in water inside the stunner. The stunner was filled to the capacity with 

water that was overflowing onto the floor below. verbally notified of 

the situation with the birds in the stunner and that she was going to notify 

, of her findings in order for him to make determinations of the next step regarding the 

issue. 

, was notified at approximately 0717 hours by regarding the 

findings at Live Hang/Stunners by proceeded to Live Hang/Picker 

Rooms, and upon arriving at 0720 hours, observed approximately 25-30 birds that 

were hung on shackles in the stunner. The stunner had been dropped could see at 

the exit to the stunner that several birds had had their necks cut. Upon entering through the 

͞Entrance Door͟ to Live Hang there were birds hanging from shackles that had been 

euthanized, extending from the exit of live hang to the entrance to the stunner guide bars. 

There were no birds hanging on shackles in the Live Hang Room.

Based on the observations made by and supported by when he entered the 

Picking Room and Live Hang Departments, it is reasonable to assume that the birds observed 

had drowned between the onset of the power outage and USDA͛s arrival. In addition, the 

Establishment failed to lower the stunner or remove the birds from the stunner area when 

the power outage occurred, and the line stopped. This resulted in the birds drowning in the 

stunner. In addition, it is reasonable to assume that the birds that were still hanging on the 

line(s) had not been removed from the line or humanely euthanized until the establishment 

was approached by USDA. These actions are unacceptable and incongruent with the 

expectations of Good Commercial Practices.

inquired as to the Corrective Actions that would pursue. 

said that he would remove all dead birds in the Stunner, remove their heads and 

place them in a condemn barrel. He would do the same for the birds that were on the kill 

(b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6)
line before the entrance into the stunner, but would have to wait for the power to be 

restored to remove the birds situated in the leg bar apparatus. explained 

that they would not start live hang operations until he had received confirmation from the 

Establishment that the source of power was back to normal explained to 

 that if the power were to shut down again that he needed to follow the 

Establishments procedures for birds in the stunner and live hang in the event of an extended 

line stoppage. explained that there was a ten minute time limit for the birds to be in 

the stunner at a standstill, and after that the stunner had to be dropped, drained, and the 

birds removed and humanely euthanized. explained to that it was 

unacceptable to let the birds drown and/or hang in place for extended period of time alive. 

 acknowledged these issues. stated that the reason no one 

was there to attend to the situation was a Tornado Warning Practice called by the 

Establishment and he had removed all team members including himself. He stated that he 

expected that the power would be restored within a short period of time.

The establishment is reminded in addition to the regulations found in 9CFR 381.65(b), 

it is also a violation of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) 21 USC 458 (a)(1) if 

birds hung on the slaughter line are allowed to die by means inconsistent with good 

commercial practices, such as drowning. Establishments should develop and 

implement measures to ensure poultry presented for slaughter are treated in a 

manner that minimizes excitement, discomfort, and accidental injury. Establishments 

should assess the areas where handling problems may occur. Establishment¶s 

should determine if their facilities are designed and maintained to prevent excitement, 

discomfort, and accidental injury to poultry the entire time that live poultry are held in 

connection with slaughter. Establishment¶s should periodically evaluate their handling 

methods to ensure that their employees are treating animals in a manner that 

minimizes injury, excitement and discomfort prior to slaughter and that their methods 

ensure all poultry are slaughtered in accordance with 9 CFR381.65 (b). 

Establishment¶s should consider the implanting these measures during emergency 

weather drills when birds will be left in the kill process indefinitely.

USDA is requesting the establishment provided corrective actions and preventive 

measures in regards to this identified failure to support Good Commercial Practices. 

The establishment is also being notified further failures to operate within the 

expectations of Good Commercial Practices can result in further enforcement action. 

A copy of this MOI will be provided to the FLS, DVMS and Dallas District Office for 

further review. The establishment is reminded that copies of NRs and MOIs related 

to Good Commercial Practices can be released through FOIA request to the general 

public.

 P325

(b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6)