Maryland Slaughterhouses

Code: 04C02
Violation: 313.1

Citation: At approximately 1415 hours on 12/14/2011, I. [redacted], observed a shipment of goat and sheep being unloaded. The truck which shipped them has two levels on its trailer. While an establishment employee was beginning to unload the second level, I observed that a ramp was not provided for the animals and were jumping down from the second level. I immediately stopped the unloading of livestock and informed the employee that they may not unload the livestock without providing a ramp which the employee immediately put in place.Although there were no animals injured or showing signs of stress, this practice is unacceptable and in noncompliance with 9CFR 313.l(b) which states, “Vehicles and ramps are to be properly positioned for unloading animals.” Plant management was notified of the noncompliance and informed that a noncompliance record would be issued .

Regulation:

313.1(b) Floors of livestock pens, ramps, and driveways shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide good footing for livestock. Slip resistant or waffled floor surfaces, cleated ramps and the use of sand, as appropriate, during winter months are examples of acceptable construction and maintenance.

Code: 01001
Violation: 416.2(b)(1), 416.1

Citation: At approximately 0855 hours while touring the facilities I observed the following: 1.The swinging door between the Product Processing Department and the Smoke House area with the plastic covering has broken pieces out of its surface and the center bumper guard is broken. 2. The door to the Smoke House area will not stay closed and it leads to the outside area and to the rest room. 3.the door to the Rest Room will not stay closed, area leads into the Smoke House area. 4.The “k” lite moulding on the wall in various places in the Smoke Housed area and area between the Product Processing Department and the Smoke House area have been broken away on the corners. I informed [redacted] and [redacted]. the noncompliance with regulatory requirements 9 CFR 416.1and 9 CFR 416.2(b)(1) of the Meat and Pou ltry Regulations were not met. The plant is being officially notified through this NR of the establishment’s regulatory failure to meet the requirement and this official action was initiated as part of the Rules of Practice 9 CFR 500.2(1).

Regulation:

416.2(b)(1) Establishment buildings, including their structures, rooms, and compartments must be of sound construction, be kept in good repair, and be of sufficient size to allow for processing, handling, and storage of product in a manner that does not result in product adulteration or the creation of insanitary conditions.

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.

Code: 01802
Violation: 416.4(b)

Citation: While performing the Pre-op review and observation, I observed dry blood on the floor of the walk-in cooler. This cooler is used to store the raw pork product to be used in the sausage making process performed at this establishment. I immediately informed [redacted] that the requirements of 9 CFR 416.4(b) of the Meat and Poultry regulation were not met. The plant management is being notified through this NR of the establshments failure to meet the regulatory requirements cou ld result in addtional regulatory and administrative action.

Regulation:

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.

Code: 01801
Violation: 416.15(b), 416.16(a)

Citation: During the performance of a Food Safety Assessment the following noncompliance was observed: Failure to document the results of operational sanitation procedures conducted on October 7, 2011. Failure to document associated corrective action for equipment (Portioning Scales in portioning Room) determined to be unacceptable by plant management during preoperational sanitation inspection conducted on November 9, 2011. Failure to document the results of preoerprational santiation inspections as either acceptable or unacceptable for the following food contact surfaces on September 27, 2011: – Conveyor in Packaging Room – Conveyor/Sorter in Packaging Room – Conveyor/Scale in Packaging Room – Cutting Bench in Packaging Room

Regulation:

416.15(b) Corrective actions include procedures to ensure appropriate disposition of product(s) that may be contaminated, restore sanitary conditions, and prevent the recurrence of direct contamination or adulteration of product(s), including appropriate reevaluation and modification of the Sanitation SOP’s and the procedures specified therein or appropriate improvements in the execution of the Sanitation SOP’s or the procedures specified therein.

416.16(a) 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 responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the procedure(s) specified in the Sanitation SOP’s shall authenticate these records with his or her initials and the date.

Code: 01C01
Violation: 416.16(a)

Citation: At approximately 0730, while performing a operational SSOP records review task in the processing area i observed that the daily records was not authenticated with his or her in itials for the 27,28 and 29 of December, 2011. Reg.9CFR416.16(a) states that, each official establishment shall maintain daily records sufficient to document that implementation and monitoring of the sanitation SOP’s and any corrective actions taken. The establihment employees specified in the sanitation SOP’s as being responsible for the implementat ion and monitoring of the procedures specified in the SOP’s shall authenticate these records with his or her initials and the date. I notified [redacted] with this NR, for his immediate action to this problem. This document serves as written notification that failure to comply with regulatory requirements could result in additional regulatory or administrative action.

Regulation:

416.16(a) 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 responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the procedure(s) specified in the Sanitation SOP’s shall authenticate these records with his or her initials and the date.