To: NMA
Members
Fr: Julie
Ramsey and Roberto Escalante, National Meat Association
Re: FSIS
Directive 5420.1
March 19, 2003
At the recent NMA Xpo in Las Vegas, Dr. Merle Pierson announced that
FSIS would be working with Homeland Security on developing food safety
measures. This collaboration resulted in FSIS publishing Directive 5420.1
entitled Homeland Security Threat Condition Response-Food Security Monitoring
Procedures. This Directive is available online at www.fsis.usda.gov and is
summarized as follows.
In the event
the Department of Homeland Security declares a threat that may or may not
involve the nation’s food supply, this directive details actions to be
immediately undertaken by inspection program personnel. A declaration of a Threat Condition Orange
indicates a high risk of terrorist attacks while a Threat Condition Red
indicates a severe risk of terrorist attacks. Note that plants are not required
to develop a security action plan and inspectors should not issue a
noncompliance in the absence of such a plan.
If a Threat Condition Orange or Red occurs with no threat to the food supply, inspectors will notify the establishment. The IIC will monitor the establishment for unusual activity. Further actions will be taken by the IIC if notified by the District Office.
If a Threat
Condition Orange occurs with a threat to the food supply, the IIC will
immediately notify the establishment and emergency food security monitoring
procedures will be executed instead of Other Consumer Protection procedures.
Emergency procedures will include:
If a Threat
Condition Red occurs with a threat to the food supply, the IIC will receive
specific instructions from the District Office to take in addition to the
aforementioned emergency procedures. Instructions may include taking samples of
specific products to protect public health and taking regulatory actions.
Import inspectors will reinspect 100% of imported product.
The District
Office will communicate to the IIC the downgrading of a threat condition. The
IIC will inform the establishment and normal operating procedures will resume.
Please contact Julie Ramsey ([email protected]) or Roberto Escalante ([email protected]) at (510) 763-1533 for this directive or more information.
***