Iowa meat processors raise concerns on tougher regulations

Small Northeast Iowa meat processors are worried the government could regulate them out of business.

Traders said retail prices will increase and profits decrease to comply with tougher meat testing regulations suggested by the federal government. If the rules are implemented, it would cost them tens of thousands of dollars.

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) sent a letter to meat industry officials in March with proposed changes to the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point program. The food safety initiative identifies hazards in animal slaughter and meat processing, monitors those hazards and provides steps for corrective action.

The document outlines proposed changes how meat processors will validate food safety plans. Additional testing of meat is a big part, which state food experts say could cost some plants more than US$100,000.

Meat processor B&R Quality Meats currently pays US$5,000-10,000 a year to have meat samples tested periodically, as required, for E. Coli, lysteria and other contaminants at a lab in Wisconsin. Under the proposed rules, the company said 50 to 75 tests a month would be needed on some meat, which would cost nearly US$60,000 a year.

State officials said there are 74 small meat processing plants in the state that would be affected by rule changes.

Besides custom butchering, retail and wholesale meat sales are part of the business. New rules may change that, since custom butchers do not have as many stringent regulations to follow.