The other discussion centered around FSIS' reversal of who would be responsible for the microbial testing. In the February proposed regulation, industry would have been responsible for both the process control testing and the pathogen reduction testing. However, in the new proposal FSIS will be responsible for the pathogen reduction testing. This is obviously a small victory for industry. However, the consumer advocates argued that FSIS did not have the manpower nor the budget to conduct such testing.
Process control is important, but actions that protect human health have to be the primary goal.
FSIS did not indicate which proposal was likely to prevail in the final regulation, but they will share updated position papers with us sometime in October. The final three meetings will be conducted September 27-29. Updates on each of those meeting will be contained in the October 6, Regulatory and Legislative Notes. The meeting will be held in Washington at the USDA headquarters.