For a raw beef product that tested positive for a pathogen, what action is required immediately after the result?

• A. Maintain the product under establishment control
• B. Move the product off-site for proper disposition
• C. Transfer to another official establishment for further processing
• D. Landfill the product

Answer: (A)

Holding the product under establishment control is the immediate action. This containment prevents any further handling, processing, or movement of the product until officials determine disposition, protecting against potential distribution of a product that may be unsafe. While on hold, the lot is segregated, clearly tagged, and documentation of the positive result is maintained so there’s a clear record for investigation and regulatory guidance. Any disposal, relocation, or reprocessing decisions come only after FSIS direction; moving the product off-site, transferring it to another facility, or discarding it without authorization bypasses essential containment and oversight.