Connecticut Slaughterhouses

Code: 03J02
Violation: 417.5(c)

Citation: While conducting a HACCP Slaughter Task the following non-compliance was found: The Establishments Pre-Shipment Review Form was incorrectly dated to show 4/13/2012, and there was no signature or time anywhere on the form.  verbally notified me that he had performed a pre-shipment review, and because of the busy holiday season (Easter) he had made clerical error, and that the correct date of the form should have been 4/3/2012. A pre-shipment review was not documented for this lot of production. The product is no longer on site or in the establishment and rsquo’s control; therefore non-compliance of 9 CFR417.5(c) exists.

Regulation: Prior to shipping product, the establishment shall review the records associated with the production of that product, documented in accordance with this section, to ensure completeness, including the determination that all critical limits were met and, if appropriate, corrective actions were taken, including the proper disposition of product. Where practicable, this review shall be conducted, dated, and signed by an individual who did not produce the record(s), preferably by someone trained in accordance with § 417.7 of this part, or the responsible establishment official.

Code: 01D01
Violation: 416.2(b)(2)

Citation: Today 5/1/2012 at approximately 0930 while performing an Sanitation Performance Standards PHIS inspection task I observed the following noncompliances:1. In front of the pig dehairing machine there are two cracks in the floor, each crack is about 3 ft long and 3 inches wide. 2. Above the stunning area a piece of the ceiling approximately one square foot has come loose. The underlying insulation has become exposed.

Regulation: Walls, floors, and ceilings within establishments must be built of durable materials impervious to moisture and be cleaned and sanitized as necessary to prevent adulteration of product or the creation of insanitary conditions.

Code: 01C02
Violation: 416.5(b)

Citation: Today on 5/15/2012 at approximately 0945 while performing an Operational Sanitation Inspection task I observed an employee skinning a goat carcass while wearing a soiled cut glove on his left hand. This is a noncompliance with 9 CFR part 416.5(b). The employee attempted to wash and sanitize the glove in my presence, but could not effectively clean the glove because it is not made of an easily cleanable material. The employee in question replaced the cut glove and then covered it with a clean latex glove that is easily washed and sanitized was notified of this noncompliance and this noncompliance record. A copy of 9 CFR part 416.5(b) has been attached to this supplied to the establishment. No product was affected, and no regulatory control action was taken as the employee immediately took corrective actions.

Regulation: Clothing. Aprons, frocks, and other outer clothing worn by persons who handle product must be of material that is disposable or readily cleaned. Clean garments must be worn at the start of each working day and garments must be changed during the day as often as necessary to prevent adulteration of product and the creation of insanitary conditions.

Code: 01D01
Violation: 416.2(b)(2)

Citation: On 5/22/12 while performing a Sanitation Performance Standards inspection task at approximately 0745, I observed water leaking (it was raining all day) from the ceiling along the seam of two panels. This is a non compliance with 9 CFR 416.2 (b)(2). The drip was constant and located above the rail between the stunning box and the scalding tank. Jr. came into the slaughter floor where he also observed the leak. Management took immediate corrective actions by sweeping any stagnant water off the roof, and installing some tarps until a more permanent repair could be made therefore, no product was affected; no regulatory control action was taken.

Regulation: 416.2(b)2) Walls, floors, and ceilings within establishments must be built of durable materials impervious to moisture and be cleaned and sanitized as necessary to prevent adulteration of product or the creation of insanitary conditions.

Code: 01D01
Violation: 416.4(d), 416.2(b)(3)

Citation:
Today on 5/29/2012 at approximately 0230 while performing regular carcass inspection duties I observed the following Sanitation Performance Standard noncompliance:

A small bird came into the production room from the animal holding area. The bird flew around the kill floor, and then went into the large holding cooler. Plant management immediately opened the large exit doors and chased the bird out of the building. There were twenty-four lambs and eighteen goats in the holding cooler. I rejected the cooler with U.S.Rejected tag 2175643 placed at the cooler door as a Control Action. No product or food contact surfaces were seen affected.

I  observed Plant manager and one employee come into the cooler to perform a visual inspection of all the carcasses that were processed today. I also observed plant employees washing and sanitizing any areas that were near where the bird had traveled. A large ladder was brought into the plant so that management could do a thorough inspection of all the overhead rails. I released the cooler after observing the establishment restore sanitary conditions to the facility.

Doors and walls need to be maintained to prevent the entrance of vermin according to 9 CFR part 416.2(b)(3).

The presence of vermin in the processing environment is a noncompliance with 9 CFR part 416.4(d).

Continued failure to meet regulatory requirements can lead to enforcement actions as described in 9 CFR Part 500.

Regulation:
416.2(b)(3) Walls, floors, ceilings, doors, windows, and other outside openings must be constructed and maintained to prevent the entrance of vermin, such as flies, rats, and mice.

416.4(d) Product must be protected from adulteration during processing, handling, storage, loading, and unloading at and during transportation from official establishments.

Code: 01B02
Violation: 416.13(c)

Citation: At approxamately 0800 hours I was informed by Foreman) that they were ready to start the days operations. The plants Pre-operational checklist indicated that everything was inspected and passed. I observed the following deficiencies: -Two dirty hose handles, one near the finished product wash area, and the other next to the bleeding area. Each hose handle had hair and dried particles of fat adhering to them. -The brisket saw (hand saw) had dried fat on both sides of the blade. These deficiences were from previous days operation. No US Rejected tag was applied because immediate corrective actions were taken to restore sanitary conditions. Mr. was informed that the observed noncompliances would be documented on an NR. 

Regulation: Receptacles used for storing inedible material must be of such material and construction that their use will not result in the adulteration of any edible product or in the creation of insanitary conditions. Such receptacles must not be used for storing any edible product and must bear conspicuous and distinctive marking to identify permitted uses.

Code: 01D01
Violation: 416.2(b)(3), 314.4, 416.2(a), 416.2(d)

Citation: Today July 5, 2012 at or about 9:00AM while performing a Pre-Op SSOP Review and Observation task after the establishment’s pre-operational inspection and before the start of operations I was accompanied by one plant employee. The establishment’s pre-operational checklist indicated that all of the areas and equipment checked on their inspection form had passed. The following non-compliances were observed: 1.& ; There were eight large 55 gallon barrels containing inedible material, none of these barrels were covered. The strong pungent odor emanating from the barrels is a noncompliance with 9CFR parts 314.4 and 416.2(d). Immediately outside of the shipping area  (exterior of the building) floor there were three small scraps of meat about 1inch x 1 inch in size. These scraps of meat were surrounded by flies too numerous to count. This insanitary condition is a noncompliance with 9CFR 416.2(a). The shipping door was half way open and a screen that was not properly installed allowed for a 1ft by 1ft gap in the end of the door. This potential entrance for pests and vermin is a noncompliance with 9CFR 416.2(b)3. Plant owner Arthur Barillaro was notified of these non compliances. No regulatory control action was taken at this time as immediate corrective actions were taken in my presence to restore sanitary conditions.

Regulation:

416.2(b)(3) Walls, floors, ceilings, doors, win- dows, and other outside openings must be constructed and maintained to pre- vent the entrance of vermin, such as flies, rats, and mice.

314.4 Tanks, fertilizer driers, and other equipment used in the preparation of inedible product must be operated in a manner that will suppress odors inci- dent to such preparation which could adulterate edible product or create in- sanitary conditions.

416.2(a) Grounds and pest control. The grounds about an establishment must be maintained to prevent conditions that could lead to insanitary condi- tions, adulteration of product, or inter- fere with inspection by FSIS program employees. Establishments must have in place a pest management program to prevent the harborage and breeding of pests on the grounds and within estab- lishment facilities. Pest control sub- stances used must be safe and effective under the conditions of use and not be applied or stored in a manner that will result in the adulteration of product or the creation of insanitary conditions.

416.2(d) Ventilation. Ventilation adequate to control odors, vapors, and condensa- tion to the extent necessary to prevent adulteration of product and the cre- ation of insanitary conditions must be provided.

Code: 04B04
Violation: 316.9

Citation: Today on 6/1/12 at approximately 0830 while performing a General Labeling PHIS task I observed the following non compliances: There was a beef carcass in the holding cooler with no mark of inspection. The only markings on the carcass were the owners last name Through establishment records we were able to determine that this was the last carcass processed under inspection on 5/30/12. Establishment owner Mr. Arthur Barillaro came into the holding cooler to observe this noncompliance. Mr. Barillaro verbally notified me that one of his employees forgot to stamp the last carcass processed that day. (b)(6)(b)(7)(C) (b) (4) This lack of product identification is a noncompliance with 9 CFR part 316.9. The establishment immediatly stamped the carcass with the inspection legend, therefore no regulatory control action was taken. 

Regulation: (a) Each carcass which has been in- spected and passed in an official estab- lishment shall be marked at the time of inspection with the official inspec- tion legend containing the number of the official establishment. (b) Except as provided otherwise in §316.8, each primal part of a carcass and each liver, beef tongue, and beef heart which has been inspected and passed shall be marked with the offi- cial inspection legend containing the number of the official establishment before it leaves the establishment in which it is first inspected and passed, and each such inspected and passed product shall be marked with the offi- cial inspection legend containing the number of the official establishment where it was last prepared. Additional official marks of inspection may be ap- plied to products as desired to meet local conditions. Primal parts are the wholesale cuts of carcasses as custom- arily distributed to retailers. The round, flank, loin, rib, plate, brisket, chuck, and shank are primal parts of beef carcasses. Veal, mutton, and goat primal parts are the leg; flank, loin, rack, breast, and shoulder. The ham, belly, loin, shoulder, and jowl are pork primal parts. Equine primal parts are the round, flank, loin, rib, plate, bris- ket, chuck, and shank. (c) Beef livers shall be marked with the official inspection legend con- taining the number of the official es- tablishment, at which the cattle in- volved were slaughtered, on the convex surface of the thickest portion of the organ. (d) Inspected and passed parts of car- casses which are not marked with the official inspection legend under this section shall not enter any official es- tablishment or be sold, transported, or offered for sale or transportation, in commerce, except as provided in §316.8.

Code: 03J02
Violation: 417.2(a)(1)

Citation: While performing a Slaughter HACCP Verification Task on 5/17/12 at approximately 1000 hrs, I observed the following non compliance. The establishment’s Hazard Analysis for Calf Slaughter does not address SRM (Specified Risk Material) at any of the process steps. The establishment did not identify SRM as a potential biological hazard in their Hazard Analysis. This is a noncompliance with 9 CFR parts 417.2(a)(1) for failure to conduct an adequate hazard analysis. The establishment has maintained their “SRM Removal Log” which documents the disposal of SRM for cattle of all ages. Plant owner Arthur Barillaro was notified of this noncompliance, and of this noncompliance record.

Regulation: Every official establishment shall conduct, or have conducted for it, a hazard analysis to determine the food safety hazards rea- sonably likely to occur in the produc- tion process and identify the preven- tive measures the establishment can apply to control those hazards. The hazard analysis shall include food safe- ty hazards that can occur before, dur- ing, and after entry into the establish- ment. A food safety hazard that is rea- sonably likely to occur is one for which a prudent establishment would estab- lish controls because it historically has occurred, or because there is a reason- able possibility that it will occur in the particular type of product being processed, in the absence of those controls.

Code: 01D01
Violation: 416.2(b)(3), 416.2(e)(3)

Citation: Today at approximately 1000 while conducting an SPS Verification inspection task I observed the following: 1. In the dry storage room, there are numerous cracks and holes along the corner where the wall adjoins the floor. Some of the cracks are at least ;one inch wide and approximately four inches in length. In the shipping area there is a gap on the side of the shipping door that leads directly to the outside premises, this gap is approximately half inch wide by two inches long. These holes and cracks are possible entry points for flies and rodents, this is a noncompliance with 9 CFR part 416.2(b)(3) 2. In the kill floor there are two leaky pipes exhibiting constant water loss, one is on the wall adjacent to the livestock chute, and the other is on the wall adjacent to the holding cooler. This lack of plumbing maintenance is a noncompliance with ;9 CFR part 416.2(e)(3)

Regulation:

 416.2(b)(3) Walls, floors, ceilings, doors, win- dows, and other outside openings must be constructed and maintained to pre- vent the entrance of vermin, such as flies, rats, and mice.

416.2(e)(3) Prevent adulteration of product, water supplies, equipment, and utensils and prevent the creation of insanitary conditions throughout the establishment.

Code: 01C01
Violation: 416.16(a)

Citation: Today at approximately 1115 while conducting an Operational SSOP Record Review Task I observed the following noncompliance: While reviewing the establishments SSOP records for the previous days production I observed that the Operational Checklist had not been documented. There was no entry on the Operational Checklist dated for Thursday 4/5/2012. The establishments SSOP states This failure to document the Operational Sanitation results is a noncompliance with 9CFR416.16(a).

Regulation: Each official establishment shall maintain daily records sufficient to document the implementation and monitoring of the Sanitation SOP’s and any corrective actions taken. The establishment employee(s) specified in the Sanitation SOP’s as being respon- sible for the implementation and moni- toring of the procedure(s) specified in the Sanitation SOP’s shall authen- ticate these records with his or her ini- tials and the date.

Code: 01B01
Violation: 416.4(a), 416.4(b)

Citation: At or about 9:00AM while performing a Pre-Op SSOP Review and Observation task after the establishment pre-operational inspection and before the start of operations I was accompanied by two plant employees. The establishments pre-operational checklist indicated that all of the areas and equipment checked on their inspection form had passed. The following non-compliances were observed: -Two lamb skinning knives had dried fat and blood residue on the handles and the blades from the previous day of operation. -The inside and outsideof the scabbard where these knives were stored had dry fat adhering to it from the previous day of operation. No U.S. Rejected tag was applied because plant employees took immediate corrective actions by washing and sanitizing the equipment in question. Operations were started as normal after the sanitary conditions were restored. Mr. Arthur Barillaro was notified of the non compliance and of this non compliance report.

Regulation:

416.4(a) All food-contact surfaces, includ- ing food-contact surfaces of utensils and equipment, must be cleaned and sanitized as frequently as necessary to prevent the creation of insanitary conditions and the adulteration of product. 

416.4(b) Non-food-contact surfaces of fa- cilities, equipment, and utensils used in the operation of the establishment must be cleaned and sanitized as frequently as necessary to prevent the creation of insanitary conditions and the adulteration of product.

Code: 01D01
Violation: 416.2(a)

Citation: The Dry Storage room has cob webs on the ceiling and all the corners, unused miscellaneous items, equipment and boxes are cluttered throughout the room making inspection of the room problematic and could be a possible vermin harborage area. This has been a topic of discussion at the weekly meetings dated 1/19, 2/2, and 2/8/2012. This is a violation of 9CFR Part 416.4(a). U.S. Rejected Tag # B3067750 was applied to the only entry door of the room as a Regulatory Control Action until sanitary conditions could be restored.

Regulation: Grounds and pest control. The grounds about an establishment must be maintained to prevent conditions that could lead to insanitary conditions, adulteration of product, or interfere with inspection by FSIS program employees. Establishments must have in place a pest management program to prevent the harborage and breeding of pests on the grounds and within establishment facilities. Pest control substances used must be safe and effective under the conditions of use and not be applied or stored in a manner that will result in the adulteration of product or the creation of insanitary conditions.

Code: 01D01
Violation: 416.2(h)(1), 416.2(b)(2)

Citation: The floor in the USDA office is not being maintained in a sanitary way. There is dried blood and dirt adhering to the floor from previous days operation. This is a noncompliance with 9CFR 416.2(b) (2) The employee dressing room is not being maintained in a sanitary way, I observed: -Cobwebs on the ceiling and corners of the room. -Flaky paint and dried blood from previous days operation on the walls and door. -Trash and dirty clothing on the floor. These insanitary conditions are a noncompliance of 9CFR 416.2(h)(1) Us Rejected tag # B40121392 has been applied to the main entry door of the locker room. These issues were discussed at the last weekly meeting dated 1/5/2012. When Arthur Barillaro was notified of this non compliance, he told me that the corrective actions would be taken later today and that the sanitary conditions would be restored before the start of operations tomorrow.

Regulation:

416.2(h)(1) Dressing rooms, toilet rooms, and urinals must be sufficient in number, ample in size, conveniently located, and maintained in a sanitary condition and in good repair at all times to ensure cleanliness of all per sons handling any product. They must be separate from the rooms and compartments in which products are processed, stored, or handled.

416.2(b)(2) Walls, floors, and ceilings within establishments must be built of dura-le materials impervious to moisture and be cleaned and sanitized as nec- essary to prevent adulteration of product or the creation of insanitary conditions.

Code: 04C02
Violation: 313.2

Citation: Today at approxamately 8:05 A.M. I went into the livestock holding area to verify the Humane Handling regulatory requirements. The smaller of the two holding pens had three large beef in it, there was one empy bucket on the floor, and no other source of water available to these animals. This is a non compliance with CFR 313.2(e). I spoke with Mr. Arthur Barillaro, Owner regarding the lack of water in the holding pen. Mr. Barillaro told me that they had just come from the livestock holding pens, and they needed to put their boots on before providing the animals with water. I was accompanied by a plant employee who took immediate corrective action to provide all the animals with access to water.

Regulation: (a) Driving of livestock from the unloading ramps to the holding pens and from the holding pens to the stunning area shall be done with a minimum of excitement and discomfort to the animals. Livestock shall not be forced to move faster than a normal walking speed. (b) Electric prods, canvas slappers, or other implements employed to drive animals shall be used as little as possible in order to minimize excitement and injury. Any use of such implements which, in the opinion of the inspector, is excessive, is prohibited. Electrical prods attached to AC house current shall be reduced by a transformer to the lowest effective voltage not to exceed 50 volts AC. (c) Pipes, sharp or pointed objects, and other items which, in the opinion of the inspector, would cause injury or unnecessary pain to the animal shall not be used to drive livestock. (d) Disabled livestock and other animals unable to move. (1) Disabled animals and other animals unable to move shall be separated from normal ambulatory animals and placed in the covered pen provided for in § 313.1(c). (2) The dragging of disabled animals and other animals unable to move, while conscious, is prohibited. Stunned animals may, however, be dragged. (3) Disabled animals and other animals unable to move may be moved, while conscious, on equipment suitable for such purposes; e.g., stone boats. (e) Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if held longer than 24 hours, access to feed. There shall be sufficient room in the holding pen for animals held overnight to lie down. (f) Stunning methods approved in §313.30 shall be effectively applied to animals prior to their being shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut.

Code: 01D01
Violation: 416.2(b)(3), 416.2(d)

Citation: There is a gap at the bottom of the shipping door. The gap spans about 1 foot wide by 1 inch high at the center, and about 4 inches long by 1 inch wide at the side of the door. This door leads directly to the kill floor area from the outside of the building. This topic has been discussed at weekly meetings dated 9/8, and 9/28. A repair date of 10/04/11 was purposed by Mr. Barillaro, today is 10/5. Mr. Barillaro was notified of this non compliance with CRF 416.2b(3) Walls, floors, ceilings, doors, windows, and other outside openings must be constructed and maintained to prevent the entrance of vermin, such as flies, rats, and mice. There has been no evidence of vermin activity. On 10/5 at approximately 0930 hours I observed condensation droplets to numerous to count at the top of the frame of the large holding cooler. A plant employee was attempting to pass a beef side through the door way, before he could do so I informed him of the non-compliance, and immediate corrective action was taken. No product was affected. The issue of condensation has been discussed at the weekly meeting dated 9/28/2011. Mr Barillaro was notified of this non compliance with CFR 416.2d(d) Ventilation adequate to control odors, vapors, and condensation to the extent necessary to prevent adulteration of product and the creation of insanitary conditions must be provided.No retain tags were applied as no product was affected.

Regulation:

416.2(b)(3) Walls, floors, ceilings, doors, windows, and other outside openings must be constructed and maintained to prevent the entrance of vermin, such as flies, rats, and mice.

416.2(d) Ventilation adequate to control odors, vapors, and condensation to the extent necessary to prevent adulteration of product and the creation of insanitary conditions must be provided.

Code: 03G02
Violation: 430.4(a), 430.4(b)(3), 430.4(c)(6)

Citation: While reviewing plant Listeria program and records for test results dated 10/31/11 it was observed that 4 environmenta l sampling sites were found to be positive on the lab reports.The establishments corrective actions that are stated in the Listeria program states that if a test result is found to be positive for LM or LM species the site and surrounding areas will be cleaned and sanitized intensely and retested. Upon checking the resu lts for the retest dated 11/1/11 it was observed that the records documented showed only the same area was retested and not the surrounding areas as stated in the Listeria programs corrective actions. Also noted in the plants Listeria programs corrective actions that there is no documented hold and test procedures if and when an indicator organism is found on a FCS during follow up testing (A second consecutive food contact surface positive) as required by 9CFR 430.4(b)(3) and listed in the FSIS Listeria Compliance Guidelines. [redacted] were notified of the non compliance and of the failu re to meet the requirements of 9CFR 430.4(a) ,430.4(b)(3) and 430.4(c)(6).

Regulation:

430.4(a) Listeria monocytogenes can contaminate RTE products that are exposed to the environment after they have undergone a lethality treatment. L. monocytogenes is a hazard that an establishment producing post-lethality exposed RTE products must control through its HACCP plan or prevent in the processing environment through a Sanitation SOP or other prerequisite program. RTE product is adulterated if it contains L. monocytogenes or if it comes into direct contact with a food contact surface which is contaminated with L. monocytogenes.

430.4(b)(3) Alternative 3. Use of sanitation measures only.

430.4(c)(6) For all three alternatives in paragraph (b) (1) Establishments may use verification testing that includes tests for L. monocytogenes or an indicator organism, such as Listeria species, to verify the effectiveness of their sanitation procedures in the post-lethality processing environment.

Code:  01001
Violation:  416.1, 416.4(b)

Citation: At approximately 0615 hours, I performed procedure 01802 in the processing area. The inspection was done after the plant’s pre-operational sanitation inspection was completed. The following observation was made while performing this procedure: there was an accumulation of cheese underneath the many of the tables. The cheese was located on the edge of the underneath side of the tables. This area is a non food contact surface. [redacted] was notified of the noncompliance and failure to meet the requirements of 9 CFR416.4(b) and 9 CFR 416.1

Regulation:

416.1 Each official establishment must be operated and maintained in a manner sufficient to prevent the creation of insanitary conditions and to ensure that product is not adulterated.

416.4(b) Non-food-contact surfaces of facilities, equipment, and utensils used in the operation of the establishment must be cleaned and sanitized as frequently as necessary to prevent the creation of insanitary conditions and the adulteration of product.