WASHINGTON – The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Monday a public meeting to review procedures for sampling and testing issues with raw beef and trimmings, especially for E. coli O157:H7.

The meeting will be held on Oct. 14 and 15, 2008, at L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, 480 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, D.C. 20024. On Oct. 14, the public meeting will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., and on Oct. 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

FSIS will discuss a more sensitive enrichment broth for E. coli sampling implemented in January 2008. The agency will also present enhancements in field and scheduled sample collection techniques.

Presentations on training for FSIS personnel on E. coli sampling and for industry N60 sampling procedures will also be provided.

Also, stakeholders are invited to address issues of concern for other pathogens such as Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella.

To pre-register for this meeting, please visit our website at www.fsis.usda.gov, and fill out the registration form. For additional information or persons requiring a sign language interpreter or special accommodations should contact Keith Payne as soon as possible at Keith.Payne@fsis.usda.gov.

Source: Food Safety and Inspection Service