The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has revised its instructions for inspectors operating in poultry processing facilities, introducing updated recommendations that incorporate new testing requirements. Originally introduced in February 2023, the notice focused on the organization’s decision to expand microbial testing for Salmonella and Campylobacter across various poultry products.
The revised guidelines now encompass not only testing for chicken parts and not-ready-to-eat comminuted parts but also extend to include samples from not-ready-to-eat comminuted chicken and not-ready-to-eat comminuted turkey. This expansion in the scope of testing aims to further bolster the safety measures in poultry processing.
A noteworthy change highlighted in the updated notice is the discontinuation of exploratory rehang sampling by the safety organization. This adjustment reflects the FSIS’s commitment to refining and optimizing inspection practices for enhanced efficiency and accuracy.
Importantly, FSIS affirms that the outcomes of the additional testing will not lead to alterations in the categorization of establishments. This assurance emphasizes the agency’s dedication to maintaining a transparent and consistent approach to poultry safety evaluation.
The reissued instructions underscore FSIS’s proactive stance in continuously improving and adapting its protocols to meet the evolving challenges in ensuring the safety of poultry products. These updates mark a strategic step towards fortifying the regulatory framework surrounding poultry processing, ultimately contributing to a safer and more reliable food supply chain.
