AgriProcessors has apparently passed an independent audit done for Albertsons according to the Food Marketing Institute standards.
However, the audit did not include any aspect of the slaughter itself. This special accommodation was made on a one-time basis until the FMI standards are specially rewritten to accommodate Rubashkin. All other kosher facilities can pass the original FMI audit without accommodation.
Even though the OU has trumpeted newly-changed and improved procedures in the plant, AgriProcessors CEO Sholom M. Rubashkin said the new Albertsons audit:
[O]nce and for all put to rest the shameful accusations against the kosher schechita at our plant.
How an audit that did not include shechita itself and was conducted months after the PETA exposé and after plant procedures were publicly changed can be said in any way to clear Rubashkin of any past wrongdoing is unclear.
The USDA investigation is still "ongoing" and, two months after the investigation's findings were expected to be made public no report has yet been issued.