Determination of verification parameters for using the manual sampling device for fresh raw beef trim

Authors: Arthur, Terrance; BROWN, TED - Cargill, Incorporated; Wheeler, Tommy

Submitted to: Journal of Food Protection
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/7/2023
Publication Date: 1/13/2023
Citation: Arthur, T.M., Brown, T., Wheeler, T.L. 2023. Determination of verification parameters for using the manual sampling device for fresh raw beef trim. Journal of Food Protection. 86. Article 100041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2023.100041.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2023.100041

Interpretive Summary: Multi-layered food safety systems are used by the beef processing industry to minimize risk of bacterial contamination of the finished product. These systems are comprised of several parts including release of product only after a negative result on a pathogen test. The methods of sample collection for pathogen testing require verification activities that ensure the sampling protocols are performed adequately. The research described herein was done to determine the parameters for use in verifying adequate beef trim sampling for the Manual Sampling Device (MSD) method. In addition, the efficacy of repeated sampling via multiple applications of the MSD procedure on a fresh raw beef trim combo was investigated. The results show that MSD sample collection that covers less than the entire combo surface, but at least one-half of the combo surface and is collected for a minimum of 90 seconds is adequate for pathogen testing of fresh raw beef trim. In addition, evidence that MSD sample collection that occurs for less than the recommended time, but not less than 30 sec per side of the swab is adequate for pathogen testing of raw beef trim. Finally, results show that in a scenario where an in-plant MSD sample and a regulatory MSD sample are required from the same combo, two MSD samples can be collected from the same combo bin with similar test results for both samples.

Technical Abstract: Multifaceted food safety systems are used by the beef processing industry to minimize risk of bacterial contamination of the finished product. These systems are comprised of several parts including the conditional release of product requiring a sample to produce a negative result on a pathogen test prior to sending the product into the food supply. The methods of sample collection require verification activities that ensure the sampling protocols are performed adequately. The research described herein was done to determine the parameters for use in verifying adequate beef trim sampling for the Manual Sampling Device (MSD) method. In addition, the efficacy of repeated sampling via multiple applications of the MSD procedure on a fresh raw beef trim combo was investigated. The results show that MSD sample collection that covers less than the entire combo surface, but at least one-half of the combo surface and is collected for a minimum of 90 s, is adequate for recovery of organisms and prevalence targets from fresh raw beef trim. In addition, the evidence that MSD sample collection that occurs for less than the recommended time, but not less than 30 s per side of the swab, is adequate for recovery of organisms and prevalence targets from raw beef trim. Finally, results show that in a scenario where an in-plant MSD sample and a regulatory MSD sample are required from the same combo, two MSD samples can be collected from the same combo bin with similar test results for both samples. While the reocmmended MSD protocol specifications will not be changed, the data presented herein provide support for some flexibility in accepting test results when verification activities indicate that sampling did not occur as specified in the recommended procedure.