December 14, 2015

US updates guide to help poultry processors control campylobacter 

The US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has revised the guidelines to assist poultry processors in controlling salmonella and campylobacter in raw food products and prevent cases of food-borne illness.

The updated document is the fourth edition of the "FSIS Compliance Guideline for Controlling Salmonella and Campylobacter in Raw Poultry" and is intended to offer poultry companies best practices for minimising pathogen levels and meeting FSIS' food safety requirements.

"These guidelines take into account the latest science and practical considerations, including lessons learned from food-borne illness outbreaks in the last several years, to assist establishments in producing safer food," said USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Food Safety Al Almanza.

"This new guide is one piece of FSIS' Salmonella Action Plan and our effort to reduce salmonella illnesses attributed to meat and poultry products by 25 percent in order to meet the nation's Healthy People 2020 goals. By following the newer guidelines, poultry facilities can help us reach this important public health target", he added.

FSIS is also seeking comment on the guidelines, which were last updated in 2010. A downloadable version of the compliance guidance is available at www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulatory-compliance/compliance-guides-index. The guidelines are also posted at the Federal eRulemaking Portal at: www.regulations.gov where comments can be submitted.

FSIS said it will accept comments 60 days from the date of publication of the guidelines in the Federal Register.