The three key components would require incoming flocks to be tested for Salmonella, enhance the control process and FSIS verification at establishments, and implement an enforceable final product standard.
Also, the strategy proposal addresses Salmonella testing and the impact of the changes on small and very small establishments.
Craig Hedberg, PhD, professor and co-director of the Minnesota Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence, said in the USDA release that the framework is an important step toward moving away from a hazard-based regulation to risk-based regulation. “Focusing on levels of Salmonella and highly virulent strains of Salmonella rather than just the presence or absence of Salmonella should reduce the number of illnesses associated with poultry,” he added.
Angie Siemens, PhD, Cargill’s vice president for food safety, quality, and regulatory, said the company supports the need to develop a public health–based risk approach to assist in meeting the federal government’s Healthy People 2030 Salmonella targets. Siemens also said Cargill looks forward to reviewing the framework and being part of a robust dialog on the issue.
The USDA will host a virtual public meeting on Nov 3 to get stakeholder feedback on its proposal.
Aspirational, or realistic?
Bill Marler, a Seattle-based food safety attorney who publishes Food Safety News, said today in a blog post that he never thought he’d see the USDA stipulate that 23% of foodborne Salmonella illnesses are attributable to poultry or propose that incoming flocks should be tested for Salmonella.
However, he said the proposals currently lack clear timelines or regulations. “We shall see if this new move from FSIS is more aspirational or more realistic.”
Source: USDA proposes plan to cut Salmonella risks in poultry products | CIDRAP
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