U.S. hikes Canadian meat import testing

Washington -- The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service is initiating enhanced import requirements for Canadian meat and poultry products.

Effective this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture service is increasing its testing for Salmonella, Listeria Monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 and will hold all shipments of Canadian meat and poultry until testing is completed and the products are confirmed safe.

In addition, Canadian meat and poultry products will receive increased levels of re-inspection by the FSIS to confirm they are eligible to enter commerce when presented at the U.S. border.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the FSIS last month identified a Canadian company, which has ceased operations, as a likely source of the multi-state outbreak of E. coli infections linked with the Topps Meat Co. in the United States.

© 2007 United Press International.