The United States Department of Agriculture revealed Monday
that its Food Safety and Inspection Service “is teaming up with the
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Export Verification Program (EV) on the program.
“The voluntary program will involve production of sandwiches
under FSIS reimbursable inspection service and make sure the facilities are
operating under conditions that comply with HACCP protocols, the U.S.
government said.
“Once implemented on Feb. 1, 2016, only establishments
participating in the program will be allowed to export closed-face sandwiches
to Canada.
“The agencies will focus on the detection of listeria monocytogenes, salmonella and other pathogens in closed-face sandwiches.
FSIS and AMS also are soliciting comments on the proposal and may consider expanding the program to also
cover other ready-to-eat food products produced by U.S. manufacturers, the
government said.
