USDA v UK-FSA Interpretation HELP!

Hi All some background

We are a UK abattoir/meat plant recently approved to export to the USA, the approval process was conducted by the Uk Food Standards Agency (FSA) and managed on site by the Official Veterinarian (OV). If there are any USDA approved sites exporting to the USA I would appreciate some guidance/information.

First question: Pre Start inspections currently our site is split into 4 main areas Abattoir, Cutting (primals), Butchery and Packing/Despatch, our OV picks an area at random every day then spends up to an hour crawling under belts inspecting every part of the area including non food contact surfaces. Is this normal in USA or other exporting sites?

Second Question: Our OV keeps asking for different things to be added into the SSOP's for example Pallet trucks, that are already included in our cleaning schedule. How detailed should an SSOP be?

Hi All some background

We are a UK abattoir/meat plant recently approved to export to the USA, the approval process was conducted by the Uk Food Standards Agency (FSA) and managed on site by the Official Veterinarian (OV). If there are any USDA approved sites exporting to the USA I would appreciate some guidance/information.

 

First question: Pre Start inspections currently our site is split into 4 main areas Abattoir, Cutting (primals), Butchery and Packing/Despatch, our OV picks an area at random every day then spends up to an hour crawling under belts inspecting every part of the area including non food contact surfaces. Is this normal in USA or other exporting sites?

 

Second Question: Our OV keeps asking for different things to be added into the SSOP's for example Pallet trucks, that are already included in our cleaning schedule. How detailed should an SSOP be?

Hi Lanser,

It's not my area at all but the obvious question is -

Is there a published Standard/Whatever  to which you are being "audited" ?

Hi Charles,

USA CFR Title 9 Chapter III section 416

Unfortunately its the usual generic food contact surfaces must be in a sanitary condition statement

regards

John