Montana Department of Livestock Meat and Poultry Inspection Food Recall Information and Procedures

Who regulates meat and poultry products in Montana?

The Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) within the United States Department of Agriculture inspects and regulates meat and poultry products in federally inspected plants. The Montana Department of Livestock Meat and Poultry Inspection Bureau regulates small and very small establishments that sell their product only within the state of Montana. This program is allowed under federal and state law through a cooperative agreement between the Montana Department of Livestock and USDA. The state controlled program must be operated in a manner that meets or exceeds all federal regulations for meat and poultry products. The recall process and procedures used by the MDOL meat and Poultry Inspection Bureau must conform to the most recent version of USDA FSIS Directive 8080.1.

What is a food recall?

A food recall is a voluntary action by a manufacturer or distributor to protect the public from products that may cause health problems or possible death. A recall is intended to remove food products from commerce when there is reason to believe the products may be adulterated or misbranded. Inspected establishments are required to have a recall plan to implement in these circumstances and should regularly test and update their plan as necessary.

Who decides when a recall is necessary?

Recalls are initiated by the manufacturer or distributor of the meat or poultry, sometimes at the recommendation of the MDOL Meat and Poultry Inspection Bureau. All recalls are voluntary. However, if a company refuses to recall its products when recommended, then the MDOL Meat and Poultry Inspection Bureau has the legal authority to detain and seize those products in commerce if necessary.

If an establishment wishes to engage the recall committee in a preliminary investigation to gain a recommendation on if a recall may be necessary they can do so by contacting their In Plant Personnel (IPP) and making a written request. The IPP should immediately send that request to their area supervisor and bureau chief so the process can begin in a timely manner.

How are unsafe products discovered?

There are four primary means by which unsafe or improperly labeled meat and poultry products come to the attention of the MDOL Meat and Poultry Inspection Bureau:

• The company that manufactured or distributed the food informs the Bureau of the potential hazard;
• Test results received by the Bureau as part of a sampling program indicate that the products are adulterated, or, in some situations, misbranded;
• MDOL Meat and Poultry Inspection Bureau field inspectors and program investigators, in the