Meredith Ellerbee, DVM, MPH

USDA/FSIS ensures animal and egg products produced in slaughtering and processing

establishments are wholesome and unadulterated for human consumption. Establishments

must comply with the federal meat inspection act, poultry products inspection act, egg

product inspection act, and humane methods of slaughter act. Therefore, inspectors are

stationed at each establishment to verify regulatory compliance in animal handling,

pathogen reduction, sanitation (including Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP),

and Sanitation Performance Standards (SPS), and good manufacturing practices (GMPs i.e.,

employee hygiene), and Hazard Analysis and Critical Point (HACCP).

Each establishment is required to develop a HACCP system, consisting of plans and programs

demonstrating the prevention, elimination, or control of food safety hazards curtailing to

each product type produced, and sanitation program to prevent direct product

contamination and maintaining sanitary conditions while products are being manufactured

which includes pest control and waste backflow prevention.

Within this agency, I have been a Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian (SPHV)/Inspector-

In-Charge (IIC) in poultry establishments for over fifteen years. Although, I am stationed at

one establishment due to the long-term supervisory vacancies, I have been known to covered

one to three establishments at a time. I have supervised various numbers of in-plant

personnel (IPP) during my career ranging from three to twelve at one time consisting of staff

of Consumer Safety Inspectors (CSIs) and Food Inspectors (FIs). As a first line of defense in

accomplishing agency mission, I utilize and enforce FSIS-approved guidelines, regulations,

policies, and issuances daily to ensure establishment compliance and safe food products.

LEADERSHIP – Supervise diverse personnel positions (Consumer Safety Inspectors and Food

Inspectors) at various types of establishments (SIS, Maestro, NELS, NPIS) within a circuit

providing continual inspection services at slaughter facilities. Expert advisor and correlates

for veterinary medical concepts, principles, and practices including but not limited to

microbiology, anatomy, pathology, parasitology, toxicology, physiology, pharmacology,

immunology, virology, biochemistry, public health, epidemiology, and food animal husbandry.

Lead discussions with industry and inspection team and make decisions on non-compliance

record appeals, policy disputes, and changes in policies, procedures, and methods. Correlate

with Raleigh district managers and office staff when in acting frontline supervisor (FLS),

circuit staffing coordinator, and EEO advisory committee chairperson roles. Liaison with

establishment management and inspection staff.

INSPECTION METHODOLOGY – Protect public health by the regulatory verification and

assessment of establishment compliance in the areas of proper humane slaughter and

handling (good commercial practice (GCP), pathogen reduction (E. coli, Salmonella,

Campylobacter, Listeria), sanitation (sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOP) and

sanitation performance standards (SPS)), hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP).

Policy requires prevention of insanitary conditions and product adulteration; regulatory

control actions (RCAs i.e., stopping lines, applying reject/retain tags) are applied to ensure

correction from deviations. Document non-compliances records in PHIS when deemed. As a

trained enforcement, investigation, and analysis officer (EIAO) in Public Health Risk

Evaluation (PHRE) methodology, evaluate the effectiveness of food safety in plant conditions

are reflective.

PERSONNEL SUPERVISION – Oversee and manage personnel trainings/coaching including both

annual required (i.e., civil rights, security awareness) and inspection checks (i.e., zero

tolerance, labeling, net weights) performance proficiency, and administrative responsibilities

(i.e., WebTV, AgLearn, OHR Portal). Verification and proficiency in completion and

documentation in the public health information system (PHIS) of daily inspection tasks and

utilize Adulterated Product Monitoring (APM) regarding issues that impact public health.

Conducts In-Plant Performance System (IPPS), progress reviews and appraisals. Recommend

employee awards and disciplinary actions. Ensure safe workplace environment valuing the

safety and diversity of staff members. Enforce COVID-19 protocol (i.e., masks, shields) within

the establishment.

DISPOSITIONS – Oversee and inspect carcasses for diseases and/or inedible conditions for

human consumption. Determine final disposition on questionable carcasses/parts that have

been held for further examination whether condemned or passed. Follow surveillance

protocols for the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI strain H5N1).

SAMPLING – Manage PHIS calendar by scheduling tasks, collecting specimens, and submitting

forms, and packaging for shipment which include National Antimicrobial Resistance

Monitoring System (NARMS) cecum samples, residue (NRP) multiple organs (liver, kidneys,

muscle) samples, Salmonella/Campylobacter skin sponge (CARC01) samples, and

Salmonella/Campylobacter ground/MST (COM01) samples. Review and analyze results in LIMS

Direct for trends and omissions.

EXPORTS – Verify country-specific eligibility requirements for foreign countries in the Export

Library. Review documentation and markings are associated with product and certificates.