A Newsletter from VT's Food Safety and Consumer Protection Team Working Around the State
June 2024
Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets Welcome back to Field Notes! While the skies above us have been spectacular in recent months, putting Vermonters squarely in the path of totality during April's solar eclipse and allowing us to enjoy the rarely seen Northern Lights, things have been equally busy and exciting on terra firma for the members of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture's Food Safety and Consumer Protection (FSCP) Division.
Another Vermont legislative session has concluded, and FSCP Division employees have transitioned into the seasonal animal health, food safety, and business equity regulation, education, and technical support that is beneficial during Vermont's short warm weather growing, shopping, and exhibition season.
This Field Notes edition boasts a collection of articles that purposefully embodies the Division's mantra:
Ensuring safe food and fair markets for all Vermonters
This is a heavy and important lift, but the FSCP Division employees are committed to meeting this high bar and expertly accomplish this mission using a comprehensive approach - one that dovetails education, technical assistance and regulation. FSCP employees continually educate the businesses and individuals regulated by the Division to ensure that our partners have a clear understanding of the requirements under which they operate. We also provide business development assistance and resources to help ensure that Vermont's food supply is safe, our livestock and poultry are healthy and traceable, and consumers get what they pay for.
This proactive approach to regulation lessens the likelihood the enforcement action will be needed to ensure compliance and, more importantly, fosters strong relationships between state government and the public that are in Vermont's collective best interest.
It is a privilege to support Vermont's economy and agricultural community, and we hope you enjoy reading a bit more about the diverse ways in which the members of the FSCP Division get this job done, for the benefit of us all.
Happy reading!
New England Mobile Slaughter
by: Julie Boisvert and Joni Bales, Meat Inspection Program
Connor Barnes is bringing a unique and much-needed service to Vermont: a custom mobile livestock slaughter truck. This will bring a valuable service to Vermont farmers who want to have their livestock slaughtered on the farm in a clean and efficient way. Connor is in the process of expanding his New England-based business, and we are thrilled to be able to use Field Notes as a vehicle to introduce Connor to Vermont livestock owners and livestock processing business owners. Please keep reading to learn a bit more about Connor and his business, New England Mobile Slaughter, and the prerequisites that must be met to book Connor for a slaughter appointment at your Vermont farm.
Performing On-Farm slaughter with carcasses ready for transport to a local Custom Processor. Photo source: Connor Barnes, New England Mobile Slaughter, LLC.
Connor, who is originally from Connecticut, worked in Oregon for several years on a cattle ranch and a mobile slaughter unit. This experience was fundamental to his learning how to handle the animals professionally and humanely. He imagined bringing this service back to New England and built his business and his truck from the ground up. He started with a box truck that he outfitted with rails and a boom that rotates 360° so that it can be operated by one person. Since the carcasses hang inside the clean truck, they do not pick up dirt, debris, and fecal matter which leads to insanitary conditions and pathogenic bacteria. This also means less time spent trimming and less meat lost to the trimming process once the carcass reaches the Custom Processing plant. To construct his truck, Connor worked with repurposed materials and bartered his time in exchange for what he needed to buy. He worked for a slaughterhouse to buy trollies and rails, a plumber to buy a water pressure tank, and with a contractor in exchange for having him do the welding on the truck. This has made it very gratifying to Connor to see the puzzle pieces come together.
The building and finishing of the Custom Slaughter Mobile Unit. Photo source: Connor Barnes, New England Mobile Slaughter, LLC.
Connor believes farmers will see the value and convenience of the slaughter unit coming to the farm, and not having to load and haul the animals for miles and miles. One of his favorite parts of the process is talking to the farmers, hearing what they have to say. Once the animals have been slaughtered, Connor will drive the carcasses to the Custom Processor the owner has chosen to have them cut into the steaks, chops, and ground products they desire. Being a Custom Slaughterer licensed by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture Meat Inspection Program means that he must follow the same regulations as brick-and-mortar Custom Slaughterhouses.
Finished mobile unit approved by the Agency's Meat Inspection Program. Photo source: Connor Barnes, New England Mobile Slaughter, LLC.
While Connor is currently based out of Connecticut, where he lives with his fiancé, he can currently serve a Vermont clientele under certain circumstances while he works to expand his business throughout Vermont. If an individual or group of Vermont farmers would like to schedule a slaughter appointment with New England Mobile Slaughter, there are two prerequisites that must be met. There must be a minimum of 10 pigs or 6 beef or 10 sheep scheduled for the appointment, and livestock owner(s) must have identified and scheduled an appointment with a butcher who can process those carcasses. This enables Connor to transport carcasses directly to the processing facility in a sanitary and efficient manner. Connor values the ability to truly reach out to farmers where they are located, and he doesn’t mind the time on the road, even considering himself a bit of a connoisseur of gas station food. Connor is also a history buff and loves snowboarding in the winter so he’s very happy to be back in the seasons of New England. Welcome home, Connor!
For more information on Connor and New Egland Mobile Slaughter, LLC - please visit the website found using this link: https://nemobileslaughter.com/
Vermont Weights & Measures Program Participates in the National Price Verification Survey
by: Scott Dolan, Weights and Measures Specialist
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Weights & Measures Section helped organize and participated in a national survey on price accuracy in retail stores as initiated by the National Conference on Weight and Measures (NCWM) during January and February of 2024. The purpose of this national survey was to collect, analyze, and share information about price integrity in retail establishments at a national level. Jurisdictions from 26 states (and 21 counties) voluntarily participated in this survey.
All inspectors involved attended a two-hour online training provided by the National Institute of Standards & Technology’s (NIST) Office of Weights & Measures. This training covered the Examination Procedure for Price Verification (EPPV) in NIST Handbook 130: Uniform Laws and Regulations in the area of legal metrology and fuel quality.
Marc Paquette, Vermont's weights and measures section chief and NCWM Chairman-elect, was appointed by the current NCWM Chair to organize and design the National Survey with assistance from a committee of volunteers, while Scott Dolan formulated the means for data collection and analysis nationally. Both Marc and Scott were heavily involved in the writing of the national report due to be released around the annual national meeting of the NCWM in July.
270 (or 83%) of these inspections passed based on the 2% error allowed in the EPPV, and 140 of those had no errors, as shown in the Inspection Results with Range of Error Figure. Of the 54 inspections that did not meet the EPPV criterion, 28 had error rates over 5%, more than twice what is allowed. A discount chain was responsible for the two highest error rates in Vermont (57% and 45%). These two inspections are the highest error rates that the Weights & Measures Section has ever found.
For the National Survey all the stores were grouped into 1 of 11 store types and the average number of errors by store type ranged from 5% for Auto Parts stores to less than 1% for Clothing and Warehouse/Club stores as shown in the Average Percentage of Error by Store Type Figure. Of the 11 defined store types 4 had error rates outside of the EPPV limit (Auto Part, Convenience, Dollar/Discount, and Big Box/Department stores). Only two store types had a compliance rate above 90% (Clothing and Warehouse/Club stores), while Convenience stores had the lowest compliance rate of 58%, as shown in the Inspection Compliance Rate by Store Type Figure.
Of the 11 defined store types 4 had error rates outside of the EPPV limit (Auto Part, Convenience, Dollar/Discount, and Big Box/Department stores). Only two store types had a compliance rate above 90% (Clothing and Warehouse/Club stores), while Convenience stores had the lowest compliance rate of 58%, as shown in the Inspection Compliance Rate by Store Type Figure.
Based on the information found in the national survey, the Weights & Measures Section will be reevaluating retail price scanner inspection priorities in the fall once the outdoor inspection season has finished.
Additional information on Vermont’s Price Verification Inspection Program can be found on the Agency’s website.
Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water Update for Produce Farms
by: Tucker Diego, Agricultural Products Manager
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently published revised pre-harvest agricultural water requirements for produce farms subject to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.
Pre-harvest agricultural water is water used during growing that directly contacts produce, such as water used for irrigation, crop sprays, or frost protection using a direct application method.
Produce farms are now required to make pre-harvest agricultural water assessments to identify any potential hazards and implement corrective or mitigation measures as appropriate. These revisions replace the mandatory microbial water quality testing that was previously required in the 2015 version of the Produce Safety Rule. While no longer required, microbial water quality test results can still be an important factor for a farm to consider if they choose to conduct testing as part of their agricultural water assessment.
Compliance dates for the pre-harvest agricultural water requirements are tiered by farm size. Farms subject to the Produce Safety Rule with annual produce sales above $500,000 must comply by April 7, 2025. Farms with sales between $250,000 and $500,000 must comply by April 6, 2026, and farms with sales between $25,000 and $250,000 by April 5, 2027.
Key requirements:
Annual Agricultural Water Assessment – Produce farms are required to conduct annual agricultural water assessments to evaluate factors that can impact the produce safety of their water. Factors include:
- The location, type, and degree of protection of the farm’s agricultural water sources and distribution systems
- Agricultural water application methods and application timing
- Crop characteristics
- Environmental conditions
- Other relevant factors, such as the results of any microbial water quality testing
Risk-Based Outcomes – Based on the findings of annual agricultural water assessments, produce farms must determine if corrective or mitigation measures are necessary in order to reduce the potential for contamination of produce or food contact surfaces with hazards identified in their assessment.
The chart below summarizes the actions farms are required to take based on the outcome of their assessment:
For more information about this important issue, please contact Tucker Diego at [email protected] or by phone 802-622-4412.
Further Resources:
FSMA Final Rule on Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water (FDA)
Agricultural Water Assessment Factsheet (FDA)
Agricultural Water Assessment Builder (FDA)
Agricultural Water Assessments and Risk-Based Outcomes (FDA)
Happy Birthday, PMO!
by: E.B. Flory, Dairy Section Chief
We are anchoring this edition of Field Notes with Dairy because June is Dairy Month and a great time to celebrate the fact that, whether purchased in Vermont or across the country, dairy products produced and processed in the United States (US) are safe for consumption!
The Vermont dairy industry is known as a leader in the production of quality milk and amazing dairy products (Vermont cheeses received 142 domestic and international awards in 2023). The Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) has served as the foundation of the food safety requirements that have been behind the scenes for 100 years. The U.S. Public Health Service created the PMO, originally called the Standard Milk Ordinance, in 1924 to respond to the one out of every four foodborne illnesses that was directly related to dairy consumption.
Since then, this important document has evolved into the longest active food safety regulation in the US. PMO regulations are science-based and have been evolving with industry technology for 100 years and counting. In addition to being a dairy food safety standard, the PMO represents partnership between farmers and milk cooperatives, milk haulers, processors, scientists, engineers, and regulators. Today, for every two billion servings of pasteurized milk or milk products consumed in the US, less than one person gets sick.
The high-quality dairy products we have access to in Vermont are made from milk collected from Vermont’s dairies in accordance with PMO standards, and it is the PMO that allows our farmers to have their milk shipped for processing locally, out of state, and internationally! What do some of these food safety standards look like?
Dairy Products Specialist Matthew MacLean inspects a small pasteurizer to ensure compliance.
Standards cover the entire farm-to-plate continuum, from animal-side collection through milk processing. Milk quality and antibiotic screening testing is performed on every load of milk shipped from farms, and standards also set requirements for animal cleanliness, water potability, and cleanliness of milking and milk storage equipment. In addition, the PMO requires farms to ensure proper lighting, ventilation, and storage of items that come in contact with the milk during the milking process. Whether it’s a door that is self-closing to keep pests and insects out of the milk storage room or documentation of proper cooling of milk after each milking, the PMO and its requirements are implemented every day on Vermont’s dairy farms. Vermont’s dairy processing plants benefit from this exceptional milk quality and further adhere to the PMO by ensuring milk and dairy products are stored at appropriate temperatures, processing equipment is washed and sanitized, and that minimum times and temperatures for pasteurization and product aging are always met.
An Anderson AJ-300 pasteurizer recording chart, serving as documented proof that pasteurization parameters are continuously met in this facility
This consistent attention to food safety at all stages of production and adherence to the PMO allows milk produced by Vermont’s farmers to be safely processed into family staples like pasteurized fluid milk, butter, and yogurt. And don’t forget the cheeses; whether sliced or aged, they are works of art to our eyes and our taste buds. Last, but certainly not least, milk is used to create delicious ice cream in flavors, new and old.
Find the inspector... Agency Dairy Farm Program Supervisor Eric Perkins inspects a Grade A goat dairy parlor
The PMO’s stringent food safety standards may not always be front and center in consumers’ minds, but Vermont’s dairy industry lives and breathes by the PMO; it ensures safe practices throughout the farm-to-plate continuum, resulting in safe and high-quality food for all to enjoy. Raise a glass of maple milk or a wedge of sharp Vermont cheddar cheese or a maple creemee, and toast 100 years of food safety under the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance! The future of our dairy industry is bright under a strong foundation that ensures safe and delicious dairy for all!
Dairy Farm Specialist Andrew Seward conducting a sanitary welds training for Vermont's Dairy Program colleagues.
Congratulations to Eric Perkins - 2024 Outstanding Public Service Award Recipient!
by E.B. Flory
Dairy Farm Supervisor Eric Perkins was honored by Governor Phil Scott with this prestigious award on June 13, 2024, in part for his efforts during the July 2023 flood response. During that lengthy emergency, Eric went above and beyond the call of his work responsibilities to do everything he could to keep milk from being discarded at dairy farms across the state. Dairy farms must have their milk picked up every 2-3 days before their bulk tanks reach capacity, and the impassable roads during the flood disrupted the pick-up schedule. During this time, Eric implemented an innovative system to avoid wasteful disposal of millions of pounds of milk on farms and ensure milk haulers could reach dairy farms and processing plants within Vermont. He relied on his knowledge of Vermont roadways, strong relationships with impacted industry members, and quite a bit of sweat equity to ensure dairy business continuity in his coverage territory of Vermont. Eric’s ingenuity was replicated in other regions of Vermont resulting in statewide success. Eric’s efforts were even highlighted by Vermont Digger.
Awardee Eric Perkins with Governor Scott and supervisor E.B. Flory
Following the July 2023 flooding, the Agency received inquiries from other parts of the country re. Vermont’s successes on this front, and Eric’s system will likely be utilized again in Vermont and other states when there is a need to get milk from farms to processing plants during crises. Thank you, Eric, for a job well done and congratulations on your well-deserved recognition!
That's all, folks!
Thank you for joining us for this latest edition of Field Notes. If you have colleagues or friends in your professional or personal circles who you think would benefit from receiving Field Notes, please let them know they can subscribe to future editions here!
To review prior editions of Field Notes, visit the Agency's website.
And if there are topics that you want to hear more about in 2024, contact us at [email protected] to let us know. We welcome your ideas and requests!
Until next time, Field Notes subscribers... get out there and be the person your dog knows you can be!!
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