the Food and Drug Administration its role in assuring protection of the product from mishandling, contamination, decomposition, and mislabeling, after the product leaves the processing plant. This is a role which the Food and Drug Administration has always carried out, even with respect to red meats and meat products which have been inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture. A defect in S. 3588 of equally serious import is the provisions which would permit the Secretary of Agriculture to designate cities or areas in which the United States Department of Agriculture could assume sole jurisdiction over poultry and poultry products involved only in intrastate commerce, thereby depriving the States and local jurisdictions of their traditional role and prerogatives in dealing with health problems where interstate or foreign commerce is not concerned. In like manner, with regard to the poultry and poultry products affected, S. 3588 would take from the United States Public Health Service and State and local health agencies, the traditional role of research, factfinding, advisory assistance, and development of the health standards required for adequate protection of the health of the people. In short, S. 3588 is essentially marketing legislation which would not only fail to provide the further health and consumer measures now needed, but would take away the protection which now exists through established Federal, State, and local public health programs. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I repeat that the Conference of Public Health Veterinarians is irrevocably opposed to S. 3588, and most seriously commends S. 3983 as deserving the complete support of the committee. Sincerely yours, E. R. PRICE, D. V. M., Chairman, Committee on Legislation, Conference of Public Health Veterinarians. Senator CLEMENTS. Any questions? Senator WILLIAMS. No questions. Doctor, you understand you may file a supplementary written statement on this. Dr. SUSSMAN. Yes, sir. Senator CLEMENTS. Doctor, you heard the statement made with reference to the committee print which would be out, and we hope you will examine it, and we hope you will advise us by written statemeint of any of the objections that you have raised which may be met by any of the amendments, and also any objections you wish to express with reference to any of them that are in the bill. Dr. SUSSMAN. May I ask a question? Is this committee print a definite indication that Senate 3983 will not be considered? Senator CLEMENTS. It is not. Dr. SUSSMAN. I thank you. Senator CLEMENTS. The Department has had a great amount of experience in this field. It took that bill and they analyzed it, and they offered the benefit of the best judgment of the minds that had been studying it in the Department; and we felt that it justified the committee in getting that into one bill form, just as an advisory matter, so we might be advised by it, and that it would be in form where those who were interested in the promulgating of a sound compulsory inspection system would have an opportunity to see it and to analyze it, and then to express to the committee their views with reference to it. Senator WILLIAMS. Since there were so many proposed changes and amendments, we thought it would be easier for you and others in industry to examine it and give us your recommendations based upon the printed form of a bill, rather than your having to read the suggestions from the hearings and matching them to a bill. Senator CLEMENTS. It will just simplify the people's analyzing of the viewpoint of the Department. Dr. SUSSMAN. I think 3588 needed a lot of revision, but 3983 did not. Senator CLEMENTS. I can say to you, the Department recognized that, because I never heard so many amendments suggested to one bill since I have been a member of this committee. The next witness is Mr. Aaron H. Haskin, health officer of Newark, N. J. (Discussion off the record.) Senator CLEMENTS. You may proceed, Dr. Haskin. STATEMENT OF DR. AARON H. HASKIN, CITY HEALTH OFFICER, NEWARK, N. J. Dr. HASKIN. Prior to 1950, much of the poultry entering into the city of Newark was offered for sale as New York dressed-undrawn, head and feet on-and live poultry. This was the marketing habit for many years. At this time, that is, 1950, the eviscerated, ready-to-cook poultry began to show in volume in the Newark marketing area. Reports from meat inspectors under my direction, showed that some of this poultry was not being correctly processed, properly handled, and not always in a state of wholesomeness or fitness for food. As the Newark marketing area services not only this city, but all of the surrounding area within a 25-mile radius, over 5 million consumers are served from this area. Realizing that eviscerated poultry was increasing in volume, we decided that a strict patrolling and inspection of these products would be necessary. My first move was to promulgate and have passed city ordinances relating to sanitary environment, processing procedures, and inspectional services at all poultry processing plants sending in and offering their products for sale within the city of Newark, N. J. These ordinances were finally adopted and passed, and in the latter part of 1954 the present program was launched. The following situations have been revealed: Since that time a total of over a quarter of a million pounds of this poultry has been condemned for unfitness for food and many other shipments have been rejected because of careless and sloppy processing procedures. Some of the common conditions observed were bile sacs on the livers crops cut but not fully removed, undigested food particles contaminating products-lining not completely removed from gizzards-lungs left in body cavity-parts of trachea left on productspericardical sacs not removed-testicles left in body cavity-oil sacs not cut or partially cut out-vents left on some of the chickens, fecal matter contaminating products-poultry not completely and cleanly defeathered and pinned in all instances-evidence of poultry diseases on some of the carcasses proving lack of inspection at the source of slaughter. With these flagrant violations present on the products shipped into Newark, N. J., we began to wonder as to the condition of the places where this poultry was being processed. About this time most of the larger food chains were no longer offering New York dressed poultry, but were selling eviscerated, readyto-cook poultry exclusively, thereby increasing the volume of sales in this area by hundreds of tons. Some meat inspectors were then sent out to the three major poultry producing areas New England States, New York, Pennsylvania and the Eastern Shore, which comprises Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia—which were at that time shipping much of their products into the city of Newark. Of a total of 15 plants visited, only 2 were found to be free from pertinent violations of the Newark ordinances. Some of the conditions observed at these plants were as follows: No evidence of qualified ante mortem or post mortem inspection of poultry. Poultry not chilled for proper length of time before shipment; internal temperature taken at some establishments were as high as 60° Fahrenheit. No hot water or live steam available. Hoods over moving chain throughout line containing much rust flakes, dirt, and dust. Ceilings and walls throughout plants containing peeling paint and condensate over product. Sparrows and other small birds observed nesting in plants and flying over some of the operations. Broken window panes present. Hood over scalding tank rusty and dirty. No screens present on any doors or windows throughout the plant. Overhead pipes, beams, ceiling, and upper sidewalls covered with dust, dirt, and cobwebs. Broken window panes present. Plant doors left open, not self-closing. No hot water or live steam available to wash and clean equipment. Holding station for live poultry, floors and ceiling accumulation of dirt, trash, and unused equipment. Feed troughs and chicken batteries rusty, corroded, and very dirty. Conveyor belt very dirty and large accumulation of dust. Secondhand containers used to pack poultry parts. Wooden crates assembled in unclean room. In the light of these findings, I could take no other action but to exclude these establishments from offering their products for sale within the city of Newark, N. J. While this tour of inspections was very revealing, it was a very expensive program for the city of Newark, N. J., to maintain. During this year we had another ordinance passed which created a poultry inspection fund whereby the processor shipping into the Newark marketing area would place on deposit a sum of money which would be held in his name and the cost of travel, meals, and lodgings deducted from this sum, to cover expenses of inspectors. Many of the above-mentioned poultry processing plants which were excluded from sale, and wishing to retain the Newark marketing area, very promptly and efficiently corrected the violations observed by meat inspectors under my direction. This proved conclusively to us that competent inspection and strict adherence to the terms of the ordinances would insure the consumers in our marketing area clean, whole some poultry and poultry products free from contamination and dis ease. All of these plants visited bore the inspection legend of a State, city, or USDA inspectional service. This included the USDA type of inspection which is for sanitation and given to plants processing undrawn poultry, and the legend of inspection for wholesomeness which is performed at plants that are eviscerating and producing ready-to-cook poultry. As recent as last month, a poultry processing plant in the State of Virginia, which operates under USDA inspection for wholesomeness. shipped into the city of Newark poultry which was in violation of our ordinance. The product was unclean and testicles were observed left in the body cavities of many of the chickens. These conditions, when found, were under the inspection of the United States Department of Agriculture, Poultry Inspection Branch. Our experiences with the Red Meat Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture has been just the opposite. We have found that they have always been very quick to correct and follow up violations which were pointed out to them or which they found in their own inspection service. This has also been found to be so over the years in our relationships with the Red Meat Service. In my opinion, they have the know-how and the competent personnel to properly handle poultry inspection. Senator CLEMENTS. Your recommendation is that any compulsory system be under the Meat Inspection Branch? Mr. HASKIN. That is correct. Senator CLEMENTS. Any questions? Senator CLEMENTS. I want to compliment you on your statement, and the rapidity with which you gave it to us. Mr. HASKIN. I recognize the limitation of time. Senator CLEMENTS. That is correct. Senator WILLIAMS. And we also ask you, as well as others, if you wish to comment further on some of the proposals or amendments which have been submitted to the committee, we would be glad to have your supplementary remarks. Mr. HASKIN. If I can get a copy of that print. Senator WILLIAMS. It will be available at the desk later today. Senator CLEMENTS. We certainly hope to get it later in the day, and that applies to the other witnesses. The next witness is Dr. Dan Schlosser, Association of Food and Drug Officials of the United States. STATEMENT OF DR. DANIEL B. SCHLOSSER, CHAIRMAN, MEAT AND POULTRY COMMITTEE, ASSOCIATION OF FOOD AND DRUG OFFICIALS OF THE UNITED STATES, INDIANAPOLIS, IND. Dr. SCHLOSSER. Pardon me for the dark glasses. I was playing with the children, and I broke my others. Senator CLEMENTS. That is perfectly all right. No one has to explain why they have to use them. Go right ahead. Dr. SCHLOSSER. I will summarize this. The Association of Food and Drug Officials of the United States is made up of the State officials, local officials, that have to do with the enforcement of the food and drug laws of their respective States. The jurisdiction in 23 of these States is under the boards of health or the departments of health. In 21 of the States it is under the Department of Agriculture. In the other 3 States, 1 is the university, and I don't remember which the other 2 are under. At the May meeting, the 60th annual meeting of the association, or the 50th anniversary of the Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act, which was held May 7, 1956, at New York, the association passed two resolutions. I will read those resolutions: Whereas there are now under consideration in the Congress of the United States a number of bills which would make mandatory the continuous inspection for wholesomeness of poultry and poultry food products: Therefore, be it Resolved, That this association be on record as favoring the broad principle of mandatory inspection and in support of the following principles for guidance of the Congress in formulating this legislation: 1. That the general approach of the Murray bill be followed, rather than the approach represented by the Aiken bill. 2. That the inspection service be placed in a governmental agency having a traditionally consumer protective purpose; namely, the Food and Drug Administration or the Meat Inspection Branch of the United States Department of Agriculture. 3. That any exemption from compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act be limited to the extent of applicability of the continuous inspection law as enacted; and that there be no exemption from compliance with applicable State and municipal food laws. The other resolution adopted at the same meeting was: Whereas diseased poultry can be eliminated during slaughter and processing operations only by adequate ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection procedures; and Whereas if these procedures are not followed during slaughter, dressing, and evisceration, the evidence of disease will be largely removed by the eviscerating process and making its subsequent detection by control officials impossible, and thereby depriving the consumer of adequate protection; and Whereas the holding or shipment of uneviscerated dressed poultry to facilitate later evaluation for disease is repugnant and inconsistent with modern-day sanitation concepts: Therefore, be it Resolved, That this association go on record as favoring legislation making mandatory such ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection as is necessary to insure elimination of diseased poultry moving in interstate commerce and further requiring the immediate evisceration after slaughter of all such poultry and that the Secretary forward this resolution to the appropriate congressional committee. The Murray bill, as referred to in the first resolution, was Senate bill 3176. At that time S. 3983 had not been introduced, so you can see that the association at its meeting, at which approximately 300 members were present at this business meeting, went on record at that time that the mandatory inspection of poultry be placed either in the Food and Drug Administration or the Meat Inspection Branch. Senator CLEMENTS. Any questions? Senator WILLIAMS. No questions. We apologize to you, along with the others, for the need for asking that these statements be condensed; and the committee would appreciate any supplementary statements that you wish to offer in line with the amendments that have been suggested. |