1. Food Safety Challenges and Benefits of New Technology Randall Huffman, Ph.D. Vice President, Scientific Affairs American Meat Institute Foundation USDA- FSIS Public Meeting on Food Safety Technologies January 13, 2004, Omaha, Nebraska

2. Challenges

3. Potential Hazards Microbiological Microbiological Physical Physical Chemical Chemical

4. FSIS Routine Monitoring of Ground Beef for E. coli O157:H7 1 FSIS Routine Monitoring of Ground Beef for E. coli O157:H7 1 1 Results of raw ground beef products analyzed for E. coli O157:H7 in federal plants * In 1998 FSIS increased sample size from 25 g to 375g. ** In July 1999 FSIS changed to a more sensitive analytical method. *** Industry began 100% pre-grind sampling programs for E. coli O157 in Fall 2002

5. Incidence of Foodborne Illness 1996-2002: E. coli O157:H7* National Health Objective: 1.0 *Preliminary FoodNet Data on the Incidence of Foodborne Illnesses --- Selected Sites, United States, 2002

6. Prevalence of Salmonella in Ground Beef* * FSIS results of ground beef analyzed for Salmonella

7. Incidence of Foodborne Illness 1996-2002: Salmonella* National Health Objective: 6.8 *Preliminary FoodNet Data on the Incidence of Foodborne Illnesses --- Selected Sites, United States, 2002

8. Prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in RTE Meat and Poultry Products * *FSIS results of ready-to-eat products analyzed for Listeria monocytogenes

9. Incidence of Foodborne Illness 1996-2002: Listeria* National Health Objective:.25 *Preliminary FoodNet Data on the Incidence of Foodborne Illnesses --- Selected Sites, United States, 2002

10. Benefits Reducing the risk of foodborne illness is the primary benefit of implementing food safety technologies Reducing the risk of foodborne illness is the primary benefit of implementing food safety technologies However, there are other benefits to industry…. However, there are other benefits to industry….

11. Cold Cut Category Recalls (12/98 - 1/99) Source: AC Nielsen Category Data, 1/14/99

12. Hot Dog Category Source: AC Nielsen Hot Dog Category Data, 1/14/99 Q1 recalls (3) 3/2000 Recall

13. This interim final rule took effect on October 6, 2003 9 CFR Part 430 Control of Listeria In Ready to Eat Meat And Poultry Products

14. Examples of Successful Technology Use of organic acids on carcasses Use of organic acids on carcasses Steam pasteurization Steam pasteurization Irradiation Irradiation Fecal detection devices Fecal detection devices Use of inhibitors on RTE meat products Use of inhibitors on RTE meat products Use of post lethality interventions Use of post lethality interventions

15. Pending technologies that need immediate attention Irradiation in RTE products Irradiation in RTE products Carcass surface irradiation Carcass surface irradiation Chlorate as a pre-harvest intervention Chlorate as a pre-harvest intervention Organic acids on pork carcasses Organic acids on pork carcasses Chlorine dioxide in brine solutions Chlorine dioxide in brine solutions

16. Recommendations to improve process FSIS should maintain a web portal to house all technology approval information. FSIS should maintain a web portal to house all technology approval information. FSIS should establish a written SOP for the process of new technology approval that is transparent and understood by both agency and stakeholders FSIS should establish a written SOP for the process of new technology approval that is transparent and understood by both agency and stakeholders FSIS should provide a web-based list of approved technologies that is updated on a regular basis. FSIS should provide a web-based list of approved technologies that is updated on a regular basis.

17. Recommendations to improve process FSIS should work to further streamline the coordination between FDA and other regulatory agencies as appropriate FSIS should work to further streamline the coordination between FDA and other regulatory agencies as appropriate FSIS should prioritize approval activities based on the greatest food safety needs and should avoid delays on urgent food safety technologies. FSIS should prioritize approval activities based on the greatest food safety needs and should avoid delays on urgent food safety technologies. FSIS Office of New Technology should work to communicate with stakeholders on a regular basis to enhance efficiency and transparency FSIS Office of New Technology should work to communicate with stakeholders on a regular basis to enhance efficiency and transparency

18. Recommendations to improve process Office of new technology should be a critical component of assisting FSIS and ARS when research priorities are established. Office of new technology should be a critical component of assisting FSIS and ARS when research priorities are established. FSIS should provide incentives for companies to adopt new technologies through implementation of policies that reward companies for implementation. FSIS should provide incentives for companies to adopt new technologies through implementation of policies that reward companies for implementation.

19. Recommendations to improve process Consideration should be given to immediate approval of substances already listed as GRAS by FDA as long as a bactericidal effect can be demonstrated. Consideration should be given to immediate approval of substances already listed as GRAS by FDA as long as a bactericidal effect can be demonstrated.

20. New technologies are crucial to meat industry success New technologies are crucial to meat industry success Multiple validated interventions, or hurdles, for pathogens are key Multiple validated interventions, or hurdles, for pathogens are key  Slaughter interventions  Antimicrobial Ingredients  Antimicrobial processes  Post lethality treatments  Sanitation technologies Future

21. Summary Challenges are to minimize the occurrence of microbiological, physical and chemical hazards Challenges are to minimize the occurrence of microbiological, physical and chemical hazards Benefits are enhanced consumer safety and satisfaction Benefits are enhanced consumer safety and satisfaction Important to remember that technology alone will not be … Important to remember that technology alone will not be … ….a Silver Bullet!

22. Thank you