In leu of a major food safety outbreak linked to 10 deaths and 61 illnesses from deli meats contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (LM), USDA, FSIS and WI DATCP announced they will be taking stronger measures to protect the public from LM including increased and broader listeria species sampling in your plant, training and instruction for inspectors to recognize systematic problems in Ready-to-eat (RTE) areas, and an increase in Food Safety Assessments with special attention given to RTE operations. The University of Wisconsin Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery Extension and the Meat Safety and Inspection Bureau of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection are co-sponsoring seminars for Wisconsin meat processors on Environmental Sampling Programs. The seminars are being held to help you understand what environmental sampling programs are, how to create an effective program, and how to effectively administer an environmental sampling program for controlling spoilage and pathogenic bacteria in your plant for ensuring the safety of your products.
Seminars will be held around the state at selected plants in February/March/April to discuss:
- What environmental sampling programs are and how to create an effective one
- How to conduct an in-plant assessment for food safety
- How to interpret data and address listeria positives
Seminar Dates & Locations:
Date Location
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 Haen Meat Packing: Kaukauna, WI
Thursday, March 12, 2026 Sorgs Farm Packing: Darien, WI
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 Crescent Meats: Cadott, WI
Environmental Sampling Seminar Agenda
There is no charge to attend one of these seminars but it is required you pre-register through MSABD Event Registration so that the correct number of handouts can be prepared; make sure to select the correct date from the event list.