WASHINGTON – Directive 10,010.1, Revision 3: Verification Activities for E. coli O157:H7 in Raw Beef Products, has been issued by The Food Safety and Inspection Service (F.S.I.S.). The revised directive includes new N60 sampling instructions and instructions for training on the new N60 sampling, instructions for sampling ammoniated beef products and instructions for sampling bench trim, according to the American Meat Institute.

The N60 sampling instructions also apply to samples collected under the MT55 bench trim sampling program and the MT51 sampling program for routine testing of imported beef manufacturing trimmings and components.

The directive also provides clarifying information on sampling raw ground-beef components other than beef manufacturing trimmings and includes instructions for inspection program personnel (I.P.P.) and Import Inspection Personnel for sampling raw beef products for F.S.I.S. verification testing for E. coli O157:H7.

Actions F.S.I.S. will take when samples of raw ground beef, raw ground beef components, or raw beef patty components test positive for E. coli O157:H7 as well as instructions for other verification activities concerning E. coli O157:H7 are also outlined in the directive.

Key changes stated in the directive include instructions for sampling bench trim; instructions for sampling ammoniated products; actions if an establishment is both a sole supplier and a repeat supplier; continuing to collect samples after a positive follow-up sampling result; change in the frequency that P.A.D. checks S.T.E.P.S. to schedule follow-up sampling at suppliers; updating the establishment profile extensions; and the importance of rotating products when sampling components other than beef manufacturing trimmings.

To read directive, visit http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/10010.1Rev3.pdf.