The USDA plans to cut back on some salmonella testing of poultry products next year, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
In the sample on page 33 2024 planUSDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) outlines the number of samples it plans to test. The agency says most of the cuts are because there is already enough data to study.
“It is important to note that this document reflects the agency’s plans and there may be differences between the number of samples expected to be analyzed and the total number of samples analyzed within a fiscal year. According to the planning document, several variables could impact the plan as the fiscal year progresses.
“FSIS laboratories perform whole genome sequencing (WGS) on all foodborne pathogens isolated and confirmed from FSIS-regulated products. If a product sample tests positive for a bacterial pathogen; FSIS works with federal partners to use WGS data for regulatory and public health purposes to help FSIS detect and investigate foodborne illness outbreaks and identify potential hidden cases. , which can help identify unique genes, including antibiotic resistance genes.”
FSIS says some Salmonella bacteria are unlikely to cause food poisoning and is evaluating its approach to Salmonella testing. Some consumer protection groups had previously challenged the agency’s position by calling for testing for more types of Salmonella than the agency was proposing, but Consumer Reports said the new sampling plan He says it makes sense in many ways.
Michael Hansen is with Consumer Reports and serves on the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Standards for Foods. The Council provides unbiased scientific advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on public health issues related to the safety of the United States’ food supply.
Hansen said it’s important to note that FSIS has become better able to test for Salmonella and Campylobacter.
“As science advances and the price of whole genome sequencing has come down, more types of Salmonella are being tested,” Hansen said.
This is good news because a single chicken sample can be contaminated with numerous types of Salmonella, some of which are likely to cause serious human illness.
Hansen also said the good news is that the agency is releasing the results for further analysis. He said another good thing about the sampling plan is that the agency is looking closely at Campylobacter contamination.
“Current and future efforts include using genomic data to attribute Salmonella and Campylobacter diseases to foods, understanding pathogen adaptability, persistence, and virulence, and using subtype data to regulate This includes understanding the diversity and ubiquity of pathogen subtypes in products. These efforts also build on the efforts of public health, regulatory, and research partners in support of FSIS research priorities. ”, the sampling plan states.
In FY2023, FSIS worked with contractors to develop an allele coding scheme for naming both Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli. The allele code provides appropriate terminology for reporting. According to the sampling plan, Campylobacter allele codes are publicly available in facility-specific sampling datasets. Masu.”
The sampling plan omits testing in some cases, but the agency says this is because there is enough data from past years to address illnesses caused by certain types of contamination.
“FSIS will continue to investigate Salmonella burden analysis of multiple types of poultry products in support of the agency’s comprehensive approach to reducing salmonellosis associated with poultry products. In addition, FSIS will continue to consider how quantification can be incorporated into this approach, as the amount of Salmonella can impact the likelihood of illness in humans. “FSIS will investigate the Salmonella serotypes and virulence factors that pose the greatest public health risks, given emerging science that suggests that Salmonella enterica does not have the potential to cause disease,” the sampling plan states. has been done.
One part of the sampling plan that Hansen finds troublesome is the reduction in testing of ground chicken and turkey. FSIS plans to cut inspections in half, which Hansen said is unfortunate because these chicken products are most likely to be contaminated.
The agency plans to
- Suspend pilot sampling of mechanically separated turkey and poultry products (less than 300 samples, conducted October 1, 2023). FSIS has collected pertinent data from these products for analysis.
- Suspend trial sampling of chicken halves and quarters (sample count -120, implemented on October 1, 2023). FSIS has collected pertinent data from these products for analysis.
- reduce campylobacter While FSIS considers next steps for Campylobacter policy, we are reducing analysis of all poultry products to the minimum number of samples needed to estimate prevalence (-13,600 tests, 10/2023). (Implemented on the 1st of each month).
- Reduce sampling schedules for chicken and turkey ground products by 50% (-2,000 samples, implemented January 1, 2024) to align with regular sampling assignments for carcasses and parts.
Other important points of the 2024 Sampling Plan
FSIS has already begun efforts to reduce salmonella in raw breaded chicken products. Our 2024 plan addresses some of that effort. The agency will implement a validation testing approach for raw, not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) breaded stuffed chicken products.
Other aspects of the poultry sampling plan for fiscal year 2024 include:
- Reduce the number of tests for Salmonella and Campylobacter in ground meat and other poultry (not mechanically separated) from 2,500 to 1,250.
- Reduce turkey carcass inspections from 1,730 to 700.
- Reduce ground meat and other ground turkey material (not mechanically separated) from 1,500 to 750;
- Eliminate trial work to mechanically separate turkeys.
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