FSIS Intends to Exclude Vaccine Strains from the FSIS Salmonella Performance Categorization

In December 2021, FSIS announced that as a part of its ongoing efforts to reduce foodborne illnesses caused by Salmonella, FSIS would be inviting poultry slaughter and processing establishments to submit proposals for pilot projects to test different strategies for Salmonella control in poultry products. Since March 2023, FSIS has granted pilot projects to nine establishments to examine the merits and logistics of excluding Salmonella poultry vaccine strains from the FSIS Salmonella performance categorization calculation. The approved pilot projects are listed on the Pilot Projects: Salmonella Control Strategies page of the FSIS website. The data collected during the pilot were analyzed by FSIS to determine whether they support changes to existing FSIS Salmonella control strategies.

Modified live Salmonella vaccines are used to reduce Salmonella colonization in poultry. These vaccine strains are not foodborne pathogens, making them a valuable pre-harvest tool for controlling wild-type Salmonella. FSIS is able to identify vaccine strains isolated from raw poultry products through the use of whole genome sequencing.

FSIS examined Salmonella detection and serotype data from flocks vaccinated with a modified live Salmonella vaccine at pre- and post-intervention points in the participating slaughter establishments. These data show that vaccine strains can occasionally be found in raw poultry products even when the vaccine is used as directed on the label. FSIS’ current policy to count such strains as a positive result in performance categorization may discourage use of vaccination as a tool to control Salmonella. To remove barriers to the use of these important pre-harvest interventions, FSIS intends to exclude current commercial vaccine subtypes confirmed in FSIS raw poultry samples from the calculation used to categorize establishments under the raw poultry Salmonella performance standards. This change will commence with categorizations calculated on or after April 1, 2024. FSIS Salmonella performance standards are assessed on broiler carcasses, turkey carcasses, comminuted chicken, comminuted turkey and chicken parts (81 FR 7285). 

FSIS will implement the change on April 1, 2024, unless the agency receives substantive comments that warrant further review. Submit comments on or before March 30, 2024 to regulations.gov.

A summary report of the data from these pilots is posted on the Pilot Projects: Salmonella Control Strategies page of the FSIS website.

FSIS Commends Appointment of Dr. Kis Robertson Hale as Chief Veterinarian Officer of USPHS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) commends the appointment by the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) of Dr. Kis Robertson Hale as Chief Veterinarian Officer. Dr. Robertson Hale is a Rear Admiral in the USPHS Commissioned Corps and serves as FSIS’ Chief Public Health Veterinarian and Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Office of Public Health Science, positions that she will continue to hold. This appointment underscores the critical role veterinarians play in safeguarding public health.

In her new appointment as Chief Veterinarian Officer of the USPHS, Dr. Robertson Hale will provide expert guidance to the Office of the Surgeon General and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on matters related to veterinary recruitment, assignment, deployment, retention and career development.

Dr. Robertson Hale looks forward to taking on the additional responsibilities of her new appointment. For her, this new role will enable her to “give back” to a profession still navigating the unprecedented challenges resulting from COVID-19 and other public health emergencies.

There are 11 Chief Professional Officers appointed to oversee a specific professional category within the Commissioned Corps. These leaders facilitate professional and community relationships to promote engagement with the USPHS Commissioned Corps and increase awareness of the Surgeon General’s initiatives to protect the health and wellness of all Americans.

Almost 6,000 Commissioned Corps officers advance our nation’s public health, serving in the USDA and other federal government agencies as physicians, nurses, dentists, veterinarians, scientists, engineers and other professionals.

Available for Public Comment

FSIS seeks public comments on proposed rules and notices, which are viewable on the FSIS Federal Register & Rulemaking webpage. FSIS is currently seeking comments on the following:

• Until April 8, 2024: Notice of Request to Renew an Approved Information Collection: Mechanically Tenderized Beef Products

Policy Update

FSIS notices and directives on public health and regulatory issues are available on the FSIS Policy webpage. The following policy update was recently issued:

FSIS Directive 4451.6 - Referral Awards

Export Requirements Update

The Library of Export Requirements has been updated for products for the following:

• Colombia
• South Africa
• Mexico
• India
• Azerbaijan
• Honduras
• Taiwan
• North Macedonia
• European Union
• Japan
• Singapore
• Kazakhstan
• Turkey
• Guatemala
• Australia
• El Salvador
• Canada
• Ecuador
• Costa Rica
• Curacao

Complete information can be found at the FSIS Import & Export Library.