US overhauls poultry inspection rules

In a bid to make chicken and turkey products safer, the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced that poultry companies will have to meet new requirements to control Salmonella and Campylobacter rather than addressing the problem after it occurs.

The New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS), an updated science-based inspection system that positions food safety inspectors at poultry facilities more effectively, could prevent up to 5,000 foodborne illnesses every year, the agency said.

According to the modified regulations, all poultry facilities will be required to carry out their own microbiological testing at two points in their production process to show that they are taking steps to control contamination.

FSIS will also make provisions for an optional NPIS where poultry companies will need to sort their product for quality defects before presenting it to the agency’s inspectors.

This will allow the inspectors to focus more on strategies for strengthening food safety.

These provisions will make more inspectors available to remove birds from the evisceration line for food safety examinations, take samples for testing, check plant sanitation, verify compliance with food safety plans, observe live birds for signs of disease or mistreatment, and ensure that plants are meeting all required regulations.

Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack said: "The United States has been relying on a poultry inspection model that dates back to 1957, while rates of foodborne illness due to Salmonella and Campylobacter remain stubbornly high.

"The system we are announcing today imposes stricter requirements on the poultry industry and places our trained inspectors where they can better ensure food is being processed safely.

"These improvements make use of sound science to modernise food safety procedures and prevent thousands of illnesses each year."

The maximum line speeds for plants that newly adopt the NPIS will remain at 140 birds per minute. All companies under the NPIS will need to maintain a programme to encourage the early reporting of work-related injuries and illnesses, and FSIS employees will receive new instructions on how to report workplace hazards.

Employees will also get access to a confidential 1-800 number to report concerns directly to OSHA.

The new inspection model is part of FSIS’s Salmonella Action Plan of December 2013, which aims to address Salmonella illnesses from meat and poultry products.

This plan also includes revised pathogen reduction performance standards for all poultry, and first-ever standards for poultry parts that are commonly purchased by consumers.

These new standards are expected to be announced later this year.

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Image: Poultry companies have to meet new requirements to make their products safe. Photo: courtesy of Serge Bertasius Photography/freedigitalphotos.net