On August 13, 2014, the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued FSIS Notice 39-14 clarifying what product is to be sampled as beef manufacturing trimmings (under MT60 sampling code), and what product is to be sampled as bench trim (MT55). The notice cancels Notice 81-13. The notice also explains that product eligible for sampling as beef manufacturing trimmings is not to be sampled as bench trim by FSIS at further processors. The notice provides inspection program personnel with information on how to determine what product is eligible for sampling by FSIS at the slaughter establishment, what product is eligible for sampling as bench trim at further processors, and when bench trim samples are to be collected by FSIS. The notice also incorporates the information from previously issued askFSIS questions and answers. Sampling codes MT60 and MT55 do not apply to retailers.
