The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a final rule to modernize swine slaughter inspections. Minnesota Pork Producers Association CEO Dave Preisler says the modernization helps ensure that food is safe for the consumer.
He says beneficial components have been added to the inspection process that helps inspectors have better oversight over the slaughtering process.
Preisler says it’s also positive that there’s now a requirement that all swine slaughter establishments develop written sanitary dressing plans and also implement microbial sampling to monitor process control for pathogens that can cause foodborne illness.
USDA’s final rule also allows market hog establishments to choose if they will operate under the new regulation or continue to operate under traditional inspections.
