We don’t know how the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service did last year because final data is not yet available. However, data is available through June 30, and that gives an indication of how 2024 has gone for the country’s slaughterhouses.
A trend in 2024 is that fewer livestock are presented for inspection. During the quarter, cattle inspections fell below 2 million head in each of the three quarters reported. Before 2024, quarterly inspections exceeded two million units.
Compliance for the three reported quarters was 98.9 percent.
The number of appeals for non-compliance with data or NRs was also lower this quarter, at 267, with 70 upheld on appeal.
Imported meat and poultry products for various re-inspection tasks amounted to 4,150 278,748. Most are subject to routine inspections. Re-inspection of egg products alone totals 3,732,968,
In actual production, carcass inspections only fell below 40 million in the third quarter, to 39,493,867. This is yet another sign that ranchers are cutting back on their herds.
The number of FSIS detention actions also decreased this quarter, at 218,645, compared to 1,904,795 in the first quarter.
During the period, FSIS issued three prohibited activity notices and issued 35 administrative actions.
Large companies inspected by FSIS continue to escape much attention. Only five large meat companies were charged with Ns in the third period.
That’s consistent with some recent NRs reported for large companies.
FSIS’s quarterly enforcement reports cover administrative, civil, and criminal activities related to enforcement responsibility. Most recently, Nestor Reyes agreed to pay $3,540, and Champion Food Services agreed to an $880 civil penalty.
Astoria Live Poultry and Meat was ordered to pay a significant civil penalty.
Finally, USDA sent several pages of warning letters to all kinds of businesses.
To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here)
.