Listeria Monocytogenes Workshops for Small and Very Small Plants

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing that it will hold five workshops from September through October, 2003, to discuss the upcoming implementation of the interim final rule, "Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Products," (68 FR 34208), which is effective on October 6, 2003. The provisions of the rule require official establishments that produce certain ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products to prevent product adulteration by the pathogenic environmental contaminant Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes). The focus of the upcoming workshops will be on how small and very small plants can comply with the new regulations. Key elements of the implementation of the final rule will be addressed, and there will be an opportunity to ask questions and seek additional information. FSIS has held similar workshops in the past for small and very small plants as a means of helping such plants, which may have fewer resources than large plants, to comply with FSIS requirements.