When raw beef product tests positive for E. coli O157:H7 or other STECs, which option reflects what establishments may do?

When raw beef product tests positive for E. coli O157:H7 or other STECs, which option reflects what establishments may do?

• A. Designate product for custom use by establishment employees
• B. Send the product for rendering, landfill disposal, or to another inspected establishment for further processing to destroy the pathogen
• C. Both B and C
• D. Ship product to other federally inspected establishments under USDA or company seal

Answer: (C)

When raw beef tests positive for E. coli O157:H7 or other STECs, the product is adulterated and must be kept out of commerce. The established options are to either send the product for rendering or landfill disposal, or to send it to another inspected establishment for further processing specifically to destroy the pathogen. These paths ensure the contaminated material is not sold as food and is properly treated. Designating the product for custom use by establishment employees isn’t an appropriate route for adulterated product, because it could still pose a safety risk and does not guarantee destruction. Shipping to other federally inspected establishments is allowed only if that facility will perform processing to destroy the pathogen under proper controls. In short, the permissible actions are disposal or reprocessing to destroy the pathogen, including authorized transport to another inspected plant for destruction.

When raw beef tests positive for E. coli O157:H7 or other STECs, the product is adulterated and must be kept out of commerce. The established options are to either send the product for rendering or landfill disposal, or to send it to another inspected establishment for further processing specifically to destroy the pathogen. These paths ensure the contaminated material is not sold as food and is properly treated.

Designating the product for custom use by establishment employees isn’t an appropriate route for adulterated product, because it could still pose a safety risk and does not guarantee destruction. Shipping to other federally inspected establishments is allowed only if that facility will perform processing to destroy the pathogen under proper controls. In short, the permissible actions are disposal or reprocessing to destroy the pathogen, including authorized transport to another inspected plant for destruction.