The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recently expanded its beef trimmings testing program to include the six adulterant non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Recent findings show an increased percent positive rate for STEC in trimmings produced from veal as compared to trimmings produced from other cattle slaughter classes. This session will focus on scientific research achievements and identification of contributing factors to adulterant STEC in veal, including pre-harvest controls, weaning practices, best practices in slaughter establishments, and antimicrobial interventions. Discussion of these findings is intended to stimulate further academic, industry, and regulatory agency collaborations to explore current research needs. Additionally, the meeting is intended to inform regulators and the veal industry on risk management strategies based on the identified risk factors. USDA/FSIS staff, STEC Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP) grant and other researchers, and industry representatives will focus on risk factors based on research findings and discuss risk mitigation strategies based on the findings. The session will be research-based and will not focus on policy or economics.

Presentations