USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has determined Uruguay exports of raw and processed beef pass standards and may continue.
FSIS performed an on-site verification audit in Uruguay in December over 11 days and did not find any shortcomings.
The final report released in mid-March details a clean report for the country.
“The purpose of the audit was to determine whether Uruguay’s food safety inspection system governing raw and processed meat (i.e., beef and lamb) products remains equivalent to that the U.S., with the ability to export meat products…,” the report read.
FSIS concluded,“Uruguay’s meat food safety inspection system is organized to provide ultimate control, supervision, and enforcement of regulatory requirements.”
There are currently 27 facilities in Uruguay eligible for meat exports to the U.S. Although there were no systemic findings, the audit did find minor isolated findings, such as a door seal not closing tight enough.
Uruguay food safety officials promised to address the minor issues identified.
