FSIS has estimated the cost to the regulated industry and FSIS associated with the implementation of its non-O157 STEC testing on beef manufacturing trimmings, based on Agency testing data and information collected through the FSIS 2013 Pathogen Controls in Beef Operations Survey.

We also assessed the benefits associated with the new testing. In addition, we estimated the cost and examined benefits of expanding its non- O157 STEC testing to ground beef and ground beef components other than beef manufacturing trimmings. The Agency concludes that the costs for sampling and testing are low and believes that the benefits justify the costs. However, FSIS was not able to quantify the benefits of expanding the testing.