Use of the Fast Antimicrobial Screen Test for Bob Veal Calves

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending the Federal meat inspection regulations to permit the use of the Fast Antimicrobial Screen Test (FAST) in its bob veal calf residue testing program. Under FSIS' residue testing program, carcasses of bob veal calves are subject to specific regulatory requirements for residue testing by FSIS inspectors to assure that adulterated meat does not enter human food channels. Until recently, the Calf Antibiotic and Sulfonamide Test (CAST) was the only official test authorized for use in the bob veal calf residue testing program. FSIS has now developed FAST, which is an enhanced and equally effective version of CAST that provides results after 6 hours of incubation, compared to 18-24 hours of incubation for CAST. This action will permit the use of FAST in lieu of CAST under FSIS' bob veal calf residue testing program.