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FSIS Posts Second Quarter Salmonella Report
Today, the agency posted to its website the second quarterly progress report of
calendar year (CY) 2011 on Salmonella testing of selected raw meat and poultry
products.
This report provides preliminary data from April to June 2011 on all
establishments eligible for Salmonella testing that have completed at least
two sampling verification sets since June 2006.
As of June 2011, of all establishments in all product classes, 85 percent are
in category 1, which illustrates no change from first quarter CY11.
From 172 broiler establishments, 534 samples were analyzed with a 6.7 percent
positive rate, representing no change from the positive rate for first quarter
CY11. This table lists percentages of broiler establishments by category as of
June 2011.
| Plant Category |
Category 1 |
Category 2T |
Category 2 |
Category 3 |
| Percentage of Broiler Establishments |
87 |
6 |
6 |
1 |
FSIS continues to post monthly the names of broiler establishments demonstrating
variable or inconsistent process control. The agency highlights performance for
the broiler class because of its negative impact on foodborne illness. Since
April 2008, FSIS has been posting category 2 and category 3 broiler carcass
establishment names. FSIS is not currently posting names for turkey carcass
establishments because this product class is meeting the criteria of at least
90 percent of all establishments in category 1 and no establishments in
category 3.
FSIS will continue to post monthly the names of poultry establishments
demonstrating variable or inconsistent process control.
The complete report and program details are at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/Quarterly_Salmonella_Results
/index.asp.
Scheduling Criteria Revised for FSIS Salmonella and Campylobacter Verification Testing
This week, the agency posted to its website revised FSIS Scheduling Criteria and Algorithm
for the Salmonella and Campylobacter Verification Testing Program for Raw Meat and Poultry
(www.fsis.usda.gov/science/
Scheduling_Criteria_Salmonella_Sets_092211/index.asp).
Revisions were also posted for the Standard Operating Procedures for Salmonella and
Campylobacter Verification Sampling Program
(
www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/
SOP_Salmonella_Eligibility_Testing_092211.pdf).
Added changes include references to the Public Health Inspection System (PHIS), human
health serotypes, the discontinuation of some sampling sets (market hogs, cow/bull and
steer/heifer) until further notice, as well as poultry carcass Campylobacter testing.
The agency encourages the poultry industry to continue efforts to reduce Salmonella
and Campylobacter contamination in poultry products. FSIS further encourages the
meat industry to take further steps to reduce Salmonella in raw classes of meat.
NACMCF to Hold Public Meetings
The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will hold
public meetings from Sept. 27-30.
The full committee will hold an open meeting on Sept. 30 from 9:00 a.m. to noon ET in the
conference room at the south end of USDA’s cafeteria, located in the South Building, 1400
Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250. The discussion will focus on control strategies
for reducing foodborne Norovirus infections and the study of microbiological criteria as
indicators of process control or insanitary conditions.
In addition, there will be open subcommittee meetings from Sept. 27-29, 8:30 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. ET, to discuss control strategies for reducing foodborne Norovirus infections
and the study of microbiological criteria as indicators of process control or insanitary
conditions. The subcommittee meetings will be held at Patriot Plaza III, 9th floor OPHS
conference rooms, 355 E. St., SW, Washington, DC 20024. Meeting documents will be
available on the FSIS website at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Federal_Register_Notices/index.asp.
Individuals interested in making a presentation, submitting technical papers or providing
comments at the Sept. 30 plenary session should contact Karen Thomas-Sharp at (202) 690-6620.
Submissions may be faxed to (202) 690-6334 or
karen.thomas-sharp@fsis.usda.gov.
Those requiring a sign language interpreter or other special accommodations should notify
Thomas-Sharp by Sept. 15.
USDA Announces Webinars for Nutritional Labeling
FSIS is hosting a series of webinars to provide guidance on the upcoming rule on nutrition
labeling of single ingredient meat and poultry products and ground or chopped meat
and poultry products, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2012. The second webinar of the
series will be held on Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. ET. Subsequent webinars will be held Nov. 8
and Dec. 13.
To access the webinars, log onto
https://connect16.uc.att.com/usda/meet/?
ExEventID=85277207 and follow the on-screen
instructions. For questions, contact Kristin Goodwin at (301) 504-0878 or
kristin.goodwin@fsis.usda.gov.
FSIS Discontinues Form 10,240-1
As of Sept. 30, the agency is discontinuing the use of FSIS Form 10,240-1, Production Information
on Post-Lethality Exposed Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Products.
However, FSIS will continue to rely on information from the form until PHIS is fully operational.
Therefore, the agency is requesting that establishments
update their information by Sept. 30. Plant owners and operators may submit their applications to
USDA/FSIS/OPPD/RIMD, 1400 Independence Ave., SW - Mail Stop 5271, Patriots Plaza III, 8th Floor -
Cubicle 163A, Washington, DC 20250.
Forms are available at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Forms/PDF/Form_10240-1.pdf. Note: FSIS will continue to accept forms 2 weeks
after the Sept. 30 deadline to account for mailing delays. If an update to the FSIS Form 10,240-1
information is needed after Sept. 30 and before PHIS is operational at an establishment, inspection
program personnel should notify FSIS/OPPD/RIMD at
sqrd23@fsis.usda.gov.
Get Answers at askFSIS
AskFSIS is a web-based technology and policy question-and-answer forum on topics such as exporting,
labeling, inspection, programs and procedures.
In addition, askFSIS offers Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds that link back to the Q&As. To
view recently posted topics, visit http://askfsis.custhelp.com/.
Scheduled Sampling Changes
Updates on FSIS Testing for E. coli
Weekly updates for the agency's raw beef E. coli sampling program are posted to the FSIS website.
For comparative previous and current year results, go to
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/
Ground_Beef_E.Coli_Testing_Results/index.asp.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements
for the following countries:
Complete information can be found at
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
Comment Period for Proposed Rule
FSIS announced a proposed rule this summer to establish common or usual names for raw meat and poultry
products that include injections, marinades or have otherwise incorporated added solutions (sometimes
referred to as "enhanced" products).
The agency is extending the comment period, currently scheduled to close Sept. 26. FSIS will publish a
Federal Register notice reopening the comment period for 60 days, beginning when the notice publishes.
In the interim, the agency will continue to accept comments after the Sept. 26 date.
Comments can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
www.regulations.gov, or mailed to the USDA, FSIS, Docket Clearance Unit, 8-164, Patriots Plaza III,
355 E St., SW, Washington, DC 20024. All comments must identify docket number FSIS-2010-0012.
"Cook It Safe" Four Basic Messages
To prevent food poisoning at home or in a dorm room, do the following:
- Read and follow package cooking instructions;
- Know when to use a microwave or a conventional oven;
- Know your microwave wattage before microwaving food; and
- Always use a food thermometer to ensure a safe internal temperature.
To find out more about the campaign, go to the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov.
Visit USDA’s Blog
Every day, the USDA Blog shares something new about USDA’s expansive mission. The blog provides a rich
and diverse look at the work within the department, spanning the nation–and even the world–and highlights
the breadth of USDA programs and the role they play in the lives of every American.
Go to http://blogs.usda.gov/ and see what’s happening within the
agency and across the department.
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Last Modified:
September 23, 2011 |
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