Summary
- A news release (4-18-02) from USDA stated that the prevalence of
Salmonella in young chickens has decreased in comparison to studies conducted prior to implementation of PR/HACCP implementation. This statement is supported by the data presented here.
- Differences in pre- versus post-HACCP Salmonella prevalence, which was approx. 20% when measured in 1994-1995, may reflect changes due to HACCP implementation. This observed decrease in Salmonella prevalence correlates with reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicating a decline in human illness linked to Salmonella during the same time period.
Many thanks are due to the FSIS Inspectors-in-Charge, who were responsible for collecting the samples, and to the staff at the FSIS Field Service Laboratories in Athens, GA., St. Louis, MO and Alameda, CA, in particular the microbiologists who were responsible for sample analysis.
Sincere thanks to Bob Umholtz of LSDMS, OPHS, for assistance in compiling
the data for this presentation.