WASHINGTON – The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service has validated a 325 g analytical portion option for Salmonella testing of raw beef.

The agency's Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook (MLG) method chapters and associated flow chart will be posted in the MLG, the agency said. FSIS will begin using the new method May 1.

FSIS corrected a March 29 alert about the methodology, the agency said. In its April 5 Constituency Update, FSIS said it would not use the method for raw ground beef at least until its intention is published in the Federal Register and the agency has had an opportunity to consider comments it receives on its plans to use the new method.