National Advisory Committee on
Microbiological Criteria For Foods (NACMCF)

Updated May 25, 2004

2002-2004 Subcommittee: Microbiological Performance Standards for Broilers (young chicken)/Ground Chicken

Subcommittee Members

Mr. Spencer Garrett, Working Group Chair

• Dr. Gary Ades
• Dr. David Acheson
• Mr. Dane Bernard
• Dr. Peggy Cook
• Dr. Daniel Engeljohn
• Dr. Anna Lammerding
• Ms. Virginia Scott
• Dr. Skip Seward
• Dr. John Sofos
• Dr. David Theno
• Dr. Bruce R. Tompkin
• Dr. Donald Zink

Background and Work Charge (6-24-03):
Microbiological Performance Standards for Broilers (young chicken)/Ground Chicken

The six questions posed to NACMCF for the previous effort (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPHS/NACMCF/2002/rep_stand2.pdf) that included particular focus on raw ground beef products appear below.  Background information is also provided.  FSIS next requests NACMCF to apply the original charge and the two additional questions(*) in considering additional  raw product commodities.  In order of priority, these include: “young chickens/ground chicken”, “young turkeys/ground turkey”, beef carcasses, and “market hogs/ground pork”.  In particular NACMCF is asked what unique and special considerations are needed in developing and applying performance standards specific to these commodities relative to the original questions?

Previous charge questions:

1.      What are key scientific considerations that need to be attended to when developing risk assessment for application to the development of performance standards?  What are key scientific considerations that need to be attended to when using risk assessments in the development of performance standards?

2.      What constitutes scientific sufficiency to support use of an indicator organism in lieu of a specific pathogen for measurement against a performance standard?

3.      What constitutes scientifically appropriate methods for considering variations that may be due to regional, seasonal, and other factors when developing performance standards?

4.      Quantitative standards appear to have more technical challenges associated with them than do qualitative standards.  What special considerations need to be attended to in the development of quantitative baseline data?  What special considerations need to be attended to in using quantitative baseline data for the development of quantitative performance standards?

*5. How are these standards working and are they helping to ensure the safety of the nation’s meat and poultry supply?

*6. Are there more effective alternatives to these (Salmonella) performance standards and if so what would they be?

Background information on this charge includes:

The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods’ Microbiological Performance Standards for Meat and Poultry Subcommittee received a charge on performance standards from FSIS at the May 7, 2001 NACMCF meeting.  In addition, on November 29, 2001, NACMCF received two additional questions* from Drs. Elsa Murano and Kaye Wachsmuth.

FSIS designed its nationwide baseline studies to measure prevalence of various microorganisms, including Escherichia coli and Salmonella, in categories and classes of raw meat and poultry prior to the implementation of HACCP.  FSIS used data from the nationwide baselines to establish Salmonella performance standards for categories and classes of raw meat and poultry.  FSIS then used data collected through testing after implementation of HACCP and other food safety systems to verify the adequacy of control systems for individual establishments.  FSIS proposes that revising the Salmonella performance standards to make them more reflective of industry’s current ability to control or reduce Salmonella prevalence in the various raw ground product classes, as determined by post-HACCP testing of individual establishments, may be appropriate.  FSIS seeks from NACMCF guidance on what might be the scientific decision points for such revisions of the existing standards.  FSIS also seeks information on alternate methods to make improvements to the current system.  To address these questions, FSIS requested NACMCF consider the above questions and Drs. Elsa Murano and Kaye Wachsmuth’s additional two questions.

Subcommittee Report

• Response to the Questions Posed by FSIS Regarding Performance Standards With Particular Reference to Broilers (Young Chickens) (PDF Only)

For Further Information Contact:

Gerri Ransom
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Office of Public Health and Science
Room 333, Aerospace Center
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20250-3700
Phone: (202) 690-6600
Fax: (202) 690-6337
E-mail: gerri.ransom@fsis.usda.gov

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