Visual Post-Mortem Inspection in Swine Slaughter Establishments

FSIS is proposing to amend its inspection regulations to end mandatory mandibular lymph nodes (“lymph nodes”) incision and viscera palpation in swine slaughter establishments. Specifically, FSIS would amend 9 CFR 310.26(b) to remove requirements for lymph nodes incision and viscera palpation in swine slaughter establishments operating under the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System (NSIS). FSIS would also amend the post-mortem swine inspection staffing standards in 9 CFR 310.1 applicable to swine slaughter establishments operating under traditional inspection. Specifically, FSIS would amend the heading of Table 4 in 9 CFR 310.1 to state that the listed number of inspectors per inspection station (i.e., head, viscera, carcass) would be the maximum number of inspectors required by the staffing standards. Science shows that mandatory lymph nodes incision and viscera palpation is no longer needed for food safety, as condemnation rates are low and condemnable defects can be detected visually. Therefore, the Agency is proposing to end mandatory lymph nodes incision and viscera palpation in both traditional swine slaughter and NSIS establishments. The proposed changes also would provide the Agency and NSIS establishments more flexibility to assign inspectors and establishment sorters at post-mortem swine inspector and establishing sorting stations based on specific establishment operations, line configurations, and Agency staffing needs.