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VT Directive 10010.1 Rev 6 SAMPLING VERIFICATION ACTIVITIES FOR SHIGA TOXIN-PRODUCING ESCHERICHIA COLI (STEC) IN RAW BEEF PRODUCTS
For use beginning 3/26/2024
Replaces version 6/2/2023
A. This directive provides instructions to inspection program personnel (IPP) for collecting and submitting samples of raw beef products under VAAFM’s routine and follow-up sampling programs for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). VAAFM tests all raw beef samples collected under the routine and follow-up sampling programs for seven adulterant STEC serogroups (E. coli O157, O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145) and Salmonella.
B. Instructions concerning STEC verification activities other than VAAFM sampling are contained in VT Directive 10010.2, Verification Activities for Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Raw Beef Products. VT Directive 10010.2, Chapter III, Section I, provides IPP with instructions for responding to positive results from VAAFM verification testing. VT Directive 10010.3, Traceback Methodology for Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 in Raw Ground Beef Products and Bench Trim, provides instructions to Enforcement, Investigations, and Analysis Officers (EIAOs) and other IPP concerning traceback investigations, recalling product, and high event periods.
C. This directive provides instructions to IPP for sampling beef manufacturing trimming, bench
trim and certain follow-up sampling projects with the cloth sample collection method instead of N60 excision sampling.
D. The Directive is being reissued to clarify that when the establishment makes ground beef patties with the same formulation as the ground beef used to make the patties (i.e., without adding additional ingredients or reducing particle size), then IPP may sample ground beef from an offline grinder instead of sampling ground beef patties (see Chapter IV Section V. D.).
E. Per 6 V.S.A. § 3305 (8), the federal meat inspection regulations and federal poultry inspection regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 3, 9 CFR §§ 300.1 et seq., together with any amendments, supplements, or revisions thereto, are adopted, for the State meat inspection program to operate in an ‘equal to’ status.
Replaces version 6/2/2023
A. This directive provides instructions to inspection program personnel (IPP) for collecting and submitting samples of raw beef products under VAAFM’s routine and follow-up sampling programs for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). VAAFM tests all raw beef samples collected under the routine and follow-up sampling programs for seven adulterant STEC serogroups (E. coli O157, O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145) and Salmonella.
B. Instructions concerning STEC verification activities other than VAAFM sampling are contained in VT Directive 10010.2, Verification Activities for Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Raw Beef Products. VT Directive 10010.2, Chapter III, Section I, provides IPP with instructions for responding to positive results from VAAFM verification testing. VT Directive 10010.3, Traceback Methodology for Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 in Raw Ground Beef Products and Bench Trim, provides instructions to Enforcement, Investigations, and Analysis Officers (EIAOs) and other IPP concerning traceback investigations, recalling product, and high event periods.
C. This directive provides instructions to IPP for sampling beef manufacturing trimming, bench
trim and certain follow-up sampling projects with the cloth sample collection method instead of N60 excision sampling.
D. The Directive is being reissued to clarify that when the establishment makes ground beef patties with the same formulation as the ground beef used to make the patties (i.e., without adding additional ingredients or reducing particle size), then IPP may sample ground beef from an offline grinder instead of sampling ground beef patties (see Chapter IV Section V. D.).
E. Per 6 V.S.A. § 3305 (8), the federal meat inspection regulations and federal poultry inspection regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 3, 9 CFR §§ 300.1 et seq., together with any amendments, supplements, or revisions thereto, are adopted, for the State meat inspection program to operate in an ‘equal to’ status.
Dairy Packaging Innovation Pre-Application RFA
The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the availability of funds through the Dairy Packaging Innovation Grant program, which will provide grants to projects that decrease environmental impacts of dairy product and supply chain packaging and increase marketability of dairy products. Grant funds are available to projects along the spectrum of research, development, and implementation and for projects at a variety of scales. Projects will be collaborative and include an educational or information sharing component.
Dairy processors, dairy producer associations and businesses/organizations in manufacturing, dairy supply chain, or institutions sectors that partner with dairy processors are invited to apply. Grants are available to applicants in all Northeast states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Dairy processors, dairy producer associations and businesses/organizations in manufacturing, dairy supply chain, or institutions sectors that partner with dairy processors are invited to apply. Grants are available to applicants in all Northeast states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.