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Inspection program personnel are to verify that 1) the establishment complies with 9 CFR 318.2, 318.5, and
318.6; and 2) livestock products are safe, wholesome, and not misbranded per product standards and
consumer expectations. Inspection program personnel are no longer to perform activities known as
livestock carcass re-inspection, boneless meat re-inspection, and other product re-inspection duties to
verify compliance with the relevant regulations. Instead, inspection program personnel should be able to
determine the extent of the procedures needed based on conditions observed in the establishment. Where
effective establishment processing controls are evident, (i.e., the establishment has procedures in place to
examine incoming product for acceptability, uses control programs to monitor product processing, and
such controls and procedures are documented), inspection program personnel will limit non-food safety
verification activities. Inspection program personnel will, in these cases, direct their inspection to those
parts of the processing operation that the establishment does not cover by control procedures. Inspection
program personnel need not count individual defects to make a judgment on a finished production lot.
Inspection program personnel need to base determinations of product compliance by making
determinations regarding product usability. The products should not pass inspection if defects are severe
or numerous enough to affect the usability of the product. The condition of product should be clearly
evident and sufficient to allow inspection personnel to determine that the product is in compliance. The
purpose of product examination that inspection program personnel are to perform is to determine
whether standards are being met. Determinations of acceptability should be based on production lots and
process controls rather than on individual units of product. Inspection program personnel should consult
with their Frontline Supervisor for assistance when necessary.
What is Livestock Finished Product Standards?