USDA Proposes New Food Safety Requirements

EMSL Analytical provides food testing services for food pathogens to protect consumers and industry.

Cinnaminson, NJ

This week the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed a new requirement for the meat and poultry industry that would potentially decrease the amount of contaminated foods that reach the public. According to a news release from the USDA, “…USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) would be able to hold products from commerce until FSIS test results for harmful substances are received. Currently, when FSIS collects a sample for testing, the sampled products are requested but not required to be held until test results are known. FSIS believes that this requirement will substantially reduce serious recalls for meat and poultry products.”

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated, “While many establishments have similar policies already in place, this proposed requirement will allow government to provide an additional safeguard to ensure food safety. Meat and poultry products will be prevented from reaching consumers until our inspectors have the opportunity to thoroughly evaluate test results. This approach will help us enhance protection of the food supply, reduce recalls, and ensure that all consumers are getting the safest food possible.”

EMSL Analytical, one of the nation’s largest food pathogen testing laboratories, has been helping the food industry, health agencies and the general public test for Salmonella, E. coli and other dangerous food pathogens. “Thousands of people in the U.S. develop foodborne illnesses each year,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL. “Some of these infected people even die. Extensive testing of food products can help prevent needless outbreaks that can devastate people’s lives and cost industry millions of dollars in food recalls,” he continued.

EMSL recently sponsored the development of a series of public outreach videos to inform people about food pathogen dangers. The latest video on E. coli can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rlyfc-5fVqI.

To learn more about food pathogen testing services please visit www.FoodTestingLab.com or www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of food, environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joe Frasca

Senior Vice President, Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

Contact via E-mail