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Reviews mixed on USDA’s new inspection system
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is changing swine
slaughter inspection for the first time in more than fifty years. U.S. Ag
Secretary Sonny Perdue says the regulatory change will maintain food safety but
will eliminate what he calls outdated rules.
The rule requires new microbial testing to demonstrate that pathogens are being
controlled. The new regulations – called the New Swine Slaughter Inspection
System – require swine slaughter plants to do microbial sampling to monitor
pathogens that can cause foodborne illness. The final rule also allows plants
to choose whether to operate under the new system or continue under traditional
inspection.
The organization Food & Water Watch calls the rule dangerous. They say the
rule will result in fewer USDA inspectors with company employees performing
inspections instead.
The National Pork Producers Council applauds USDA’s new system. NPPC President David
Herring, a producer from Lillington, North Carolina, says the new inspection
system incentivizes investment in new technologies while ensuring a safe supply
of wholesome American pork.
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