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Poland successfully completed a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) audit in August. Nine Polish meat establishments currently certified to export meat products to the United States may continue to export cooked and sterilized pork products to the United States. Poland’s meat inspection system effectively demonstrated its ability to fully implement and oversee the enforcement of FSIS requirements, and as a result had its authority to certify new and previously delisted establishments reinstated. The meat inspection system in Poland and the nine certified establishments successfully demonstrated the ability to meet the same high food safety standards as required by the United States Government.
Food safety of these meat facilities and expertise of Polish veterinary authorities were enhanced as Poland prepared for this inspection, which is legally required by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Embassy’s Office of Agricultural Affairs (OAA) facilitated frequent pre-audit communications between Poland’s Main Veterinary Inspectorate and USDA’s FSIS. The OAA also initiated utilization of nearly $28,000 in former U.S. food aid funds for MVI pre-audit food safety training of many MVI headquarters, regional, provincial, and establishment level veterinary inspection authorities. This greatly complemented the separate efforts of Poland’s meat production industry, which financed its own FSIS food safety pre-enforcement audit training.
For more information, contact Agricultural Counselor Wayne Molstad.
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