Determination of Verification Parameters for Using the Manual Sampling Device for Fresh Raw Beef Trim

•MSD sample of one-halfof a beef trim combo bin surface over 90 s will provide an adequate sample.•Two MSD samples collected from the same combo bin will provide equivalent results.•MSD sample of 30 s per side of the swab will provide an adequate sample of a beef trim combo bin. Multifaceted food safety systems are used by the beef processing industry to minimize risk of bacterial contamination of the finished product. These systems are comprised of several parts including the conditional release of product requiring a sample to produce a negative result on a pathogen test prior to sending the product into the food supply. The methods of sample collection require verification activities that ensure the sampling protocols are performed adequately. The research described herein was done to determine the parameters for use in verifying adequate beef trim sampling for the Manual Sampling Device (MSD) method. In addition, the efficacy of repeated sampling via multiple applications of the MSD procedure on a fresh raw beef trim combo was investigated. The results show that MSD sample collection thatcoversless than the entire combo surface, but at least one-halfof the combo surface and is collected for a minimum of 90 s, is adequate for the recovery of organisms and prevalence targets from fresh raw beef trim. In addition, the evidence that MSD sample collection thatoccurs forless than the recommended time, butnot less than 30 s per side of the swab, is adequate for the recovery of organisms and prevalence targets from raw beef trim. Finally, results show that in a scenario where an in-plant MSD sample and a regulatory MSD sample are required from the same combo, two MSD samples can be collected from the same combo bin with similar test results for both samples. While the recommended MSD protocol specifications will not be changed, the data presented herein provide support for some flexibility in accepting test results when verification activities indicate that sampling did not occur as specified in the recommended procedure.