News Update

News Update
April 11, 2006

Decreased Meat Production Tied to Immigration Reform

U.S. meat production was down Monday, in part because many packing plant workers, who are Hispanic, supported rallies promoting immigration reform rather than going to work, the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) reported.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates show that cattle harvesting yesterday was down 28% from last week, and hog harvesting yesterday was down 16%. The LMA notice said spokesmen for the major packers confirmed production was down at several of their plants.

FSIS Amends Safe Ingredients List

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) yesterday amended its list of Safe and Suitable Ingredients Used in the Production of Meat and Poultry Products, according to a notice posted on the FSIS Web site. There are three amendments relevant to the beef industry.

The use of lactic acid bacteria — an antimicriobial mixture containing Lactobacillis acidophilus, L. lactis and Pediococcus acidilactici — has been expanded to include ground beef and raw whole muscle standardized beef cuts, according to the FSIS list.

Glucose oxidase and catalase enzymes from Aspergillus niger with a dextrose energy source and sodium bicarbonate buffer have been added to the FSIS safe ingredient list for approved use in packages of raw whole muscle cuts of meat and poultry to maintain a low-oxygen atmosphere.

The concentration tolerance of carbon monoxide gas used in a modified-atmosphere packing (MAP) system for case-ready fresh cuts of beef and pork has been modified to an upper limit concentration of 0.48%. The products must be labeled with a “use or freeze by” date within 28 days of packaging for ground meat and within 35 days for whole muscle cuts, the FSIS list explains.

The use of these substances is consistent with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) labeling definition of a processing aid, and they are considered generally recognized as safe (GRAS) practices, the list says.

To read the entire FSIS notice, including the amended safe ingredients list, visit www.fsis.usda.gov/oppde/rdad/fsisdirectives/7120.1_amend_7.pdf.