NEW YORK – Mexico last week suspended meat imports from 30 plants in 14 states, according to a list on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Web site.

Among the plants listed on the site are the Smithfield Packing Inc. plant in Tar Heel, N.C. and another Smithfield plant in Plant City, Fla. Three plants operated by subsidiary John Morrell & Co., two in South Dakota and one in Iowa, a Nebraska pork run by subsidiary Farmland Foods Inc. and a Pennsylvania beef plant run by its Moyer Packing Co. unit were all included on the list.

Other affected plants are run by food giants Tyson Foods Inc., Cargill Inc. and Swift Foods Inc., along with Seaboard Corp. and 11 small private companies in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma and Utah.

USDA spokeswoman Amanda Eamich told the media in an e-mail that Mexico had discussions over the course of the last five business days with the agency regarding concerns about the general condition of meat products, sanitation issues and "possible pathogen findings."

"Occasional differences in shipments in trade relationships do occur and allow for the option of notifying specific plants of suspension of those shipments," she reportedly said.

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON – The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) last week said that nominations are being sought for membership on the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI).

The FSIS said that nominations were being sought from people representing industry, academia, governments and consumers. The full committee has 16 to 18 members and each person has a two-year term.

The NACMPI was established in 1971 to the provide advice and recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture on meat and poultry inspection programs.

Nominations must include the nominee’s typed resume or curriculum vitae and should be submitted by e-mail to NACMPI@fsis.usda.gov or by mail to Alfred Almanza, Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service, in care of Faye Smith, Room 1175-South Building, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250, or by fax to (202) 720-5704.

The deadline for nominations is Jan. 23.

Source: Food Safety and Inspection Service