Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE

The consumer advocacy group Food and Water Watch said Tuesday that a higher number of defective poultry carcasses are being presented to food safety inspectors because processing plant employees aren't being properly trained under an updated inspection system. The situation is also causing federal inspectors to shut down processing lines more frequently in order to prevent unwholesome poultry, which company sorters failed to remove, from reaching consumers.

Food and Water Watch contends the problems are arising at plants operating under the New Poultry Inspection System, based on anecdotal accounts by USDA Food Safety Inspection Service workers. The agency in August 2014 finalized the new system, which shifted some food safety activities historically conducted by federal inspectors to plant employees, including sorting and removing unacceptable carcasses with fecal contamination, sores or blisters. The agency does not require these workers to undergo new training, and instead published a voluntary guidance document for private companies to use.

On the line: When implementing the New Poultry Inspection System, FSIS said it would prevent an estimated 5,000 foodborne illnesses each year because of stricter controls on pathogens like salmonella and campylobacter and allowing federal inspectors to spend more time on food safety strategies like microbial testing and plant sanitation, rather than routine quality assurance tasks. Consumer groups like Food and Water Watch and some lawmakers in Congress disagreed, arguing there will be higher rates of contamination with fewer inspectors on the line.

A FSIS spokesperson, in a statement to POLITICO, said its inspectors continue to conduct 100 percent carcass-by-carcass inspection and verify that process control is maintained. "If an establishment is unable to maintain process control, FSIS personnel have full authority to slow line speeds or stop the line. When FSIS inspectors stop the production line, it means that the system is working and our personnel are doing their jobs," the spokesperson said.

Intimidation tactics? Food and Water Watch also said in its letter to the agency that in order to reduce stoppages, some FSIS in-plant supervisors are being pressured by plant managers. The agency spokesperson said that any allegations of intimidation will be reviewed and addressed as appropriate.