This notice provides specified methodologies that FSIS personnel are to use when evaluating control of Salmonella in poultry slaughter operations.

Each completed sample set result will be recorded in one of three categories in relation to the standard or baseline guidelines as set out in the Federal Register Notice (71 Fed. Reg, 9772), Salmonella Verification Sample Result Reporting: Agency Policy and Use in Public Health Protection, as follows:

1. Category 1. 50 percent or less of the performance standard or baseline guidance (consistent process control);
   
2. Category 2. From 51 percent of the performance standard or regulatory guideline to the performance standard or baseline guidance (variable process control); and
   
3. Category 3. Greater than performance standard or baseline guidance (highly variable process control).

Enforcement, Investigations, and Analysis Officers (EIAOs) are to follow the instructions in FSIS Directive 5100.1, “Enforcement, Investigations, and Analysis Officer (EIAO) Comprehensive Food Safety Assessment Methodology,” when conducting FSAs at poultry slaughter establishments. EIAOs are to pay particular attention to how an establishment that is either in Category 2 or Category 3 is ensuring Salmonella control.

When the EIAO has completed the FSA, he or she is to review the information that was gathered about the establishment’s food safety system. The purpose of this review is to assess whether the establishment is maintaining control of its process to the extent necessary to ensure that it is producing safe food.

Further Reading

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