The 90-day training, 'shake down' period will be conducted before the actual baseline study begins.

The purpose of the 90-day training period is to ensure that IPP are familiar with the new sample collection procedures for raw chicken parts.

The sample collection procedures for the study are different than those for the routine sampling of other poultry products.

This FSIS Nationwide Raw Chicken Parts Microbiological Baseline Data Collection Programme will collect rinses of raw chicken parts at all establishments that:

• Slaughter broilers and cut the carcasses into chicken parts of the type typically available for purchase by consumers
• Receive whole chicken carcasses from other federally inspected establishments and cut carcasses into halves, or quarters, or individual parts of the type typically available for purchase by consumers, or
• Receive raw chicken parts from other federally inspected establishments and cut them further into halves, or quarters, or individual parts of the type typically available for purchase by consumers.

The baseline study will provide FSIS and the regulated industry with data concerning the prevalence and quantitative levels of selected foodborne pathogens and microorganisms that serve as indicators of process control (e.g., Campylobacter, generic Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms and plate counts of aerobic microorganisms).

These data will enable the Agency and industry to target interventions and effectively work toward reducing the risk of foodborne pathogens in FSIS-regulated products.