Briefing
on Agency’s Efforts with Respect to Campylobacter
National Advisory Committee on Meat and
Poultry Inspection
May 2000 Public Meeting
Briefing Paper on Current Thinking
Purpose
- In May of 1999, the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry
Inspection (NACMPI) asked the National Advisory Committee on
Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) to evaluate options for
defining a Campylobacter performance standard or, in the
alternative, a performance standard that would accomplish the same public
health objective. In response, the Meat and Poultry Subcommittee of NACMCF
made a series of recommendations. The purpose of this briefing is to the
review Agency’s actions in response to these recommendations.
Review of Agency Actions
- NACMCF Recommendation: Based on the results of the ARS on-farm
study, interventions should be developed for on-farm practices.
FSIS Response: FSIS is in close touch with Dr. Stern, the ARS
researcher. While he is studying a number of interventions, his work has
yet to support that any of these interventions are particularly
efficacious.
- NACMCF Recommendation: New method for enumerating Campylobacter
that was developed by ARS should be used by FSIS.
FSIS Response: This method has been used by FSIS since October of 1999.
Recent data have revealed that there has been a significant reduction in
the number of Campylobacter on each carcass (carcasses) since 1994
– 1995. This reduction may be related to the implementation of HACCP.
- NACMCF Recommendation: Studies should be undertaken to examine
infectious doses of Campylobacter.
FSIS Response: FSIS risk assessors are studying the dose- response
relationship for Campylobacter based on human and animal model data
from the scientific literature. They report that it is difficult at this
point to derive a dose – illness relationship.
- NACMCF Recommendation: A Campylobacter risk assessment should
be conducted.
FSIS Response: FSIS is planning to conduct a risk assessment in FY 2001.
- NACMCF Recommendation: Irradiation should be considered for raw meat
and poultry products.
FSIS Response: FSIS has provided for irradiation of both types of
products.
- NACMCF Recommendation: FSIS should work with ARS to evaluate
effectiveness of pathogen intervention treatments for both Salmonella and
Campylobacter.
FSIS Response: ARS's three year study is looking at interventions for
those pathogens on farm. FSIS surveyed poultry plants in March and April of
2000 to assess pathogen interventions that are in place.
- NACMF Recommendation: FSIS should obtain data for one full year for
current broiler baseline survey so that a comparison can be made to
previous baseline survey.
FSIS Response: A national baseline is underway.
Attachments:
Table 1: Severe Foodborne Illness
Caused by Campylobacter spp.
Table 2: Healthy People 2000
Objectives, Campylobacter spp.
Table 3: HP 2010 Objective 10-1, Campylobacter
infections
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