NCC Advocates for Enhanced Strategies to Tackle Salmonella in Poultry Products

The National Chicken Council (NCC) recently took part in a public meeting organized by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to explore effective strategies aimed at reducing Salmonella illnesses linked to poultry products. This meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to give input on addressing Salmonella through improved data utilization, alternative performance standards, and policy options that align with public health objectives while considering the realities faced by both large and small poultry producers.

Focus on Quantifying Salmonella Presence

“We believe that technological advancements now allow us to focus on how much Salmonella is present on poultry, rather than merely its presence,” stated Ashley Peterson, Ph.D., NCC Senior Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, during her remarks at the meeting.

Dr. Peterson highlighted recent research conducted by the Agriculture Research Service, which indicates a significant rate of false positives with many commercially available testing methods, including the current FSIS approach. Despite this, she asserted that FSIS possesses valuable data that can be utilized to enhance existing standards through the implementation of enumerative-based performance metrics.

Proposed Adjustments and Recommendations

Peterson explained that experts from the industry and academia have thoroughly reviewed available FSIS data. They believe that establishing both upper and lower enumerative thresholds for Salmonella could lead to significant improvements in public health outcomes.

“Both thresholds must be grounded in scientifically sound data that is reliable, replicable, and equitable,” she emphasized.

NCC also urged FSIS to reassess the current 52-week sampling window, arguing that it does not accurately reflect an establishment’s current performance. Instead, they suggested a 13-sample window to ensure that less frequently sampled establishments are treated fairly and that FSIS evaluations more accurately represent an establishment’s performance.

The Importance of Process Control

“Product testing alone will not guarantee food safety. What truly matters is how effectively a facility manages its processes to prevent contamination, while product testing serves as an indicator that these process control measures are functioning properly,” Peterson remarked. “We assert that process control—centered on microbial data and sanitary dressing—is a crucial component of a reformed regulatory framework for Salmonella.”

Peterson reinforced NCC’s commitment to supporting regulations aimed at further minimizing Salmonella in poultry products. She emphasized the need for these regulations to be scientifically grounded, data-informed, implementable across various establishment sizes, beneficial to public health, and conducive to maintaining the affordability of poultry products.

“We eagerly anticipate collaborating with FSIS to advance these and other food safety initiatives, and we will provide additional insights in our written comments,” she concluded.

Source: NCC