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Intent to suspend agency qualitative (30 mL) Campylobacter analysis
Story Date: 6/3/2013
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Source: USDA, 5/31/13
In May 2010, FSIS announced in a Federal Register notice, the intent to implement new Campylobacter Performance Standards for Young Chickens and Young Turkeys using a combination of a smaller, 1 mL quantitative, and a larger, 30 mL qualitative sample portion.
In 2011, after further analysis and in response to public comments, the agency decided to only use the 1 mL quantitative portion to assess whether establishments were meeting the new performance standard. The agency, however, said in that 2011 Federal Register notice it would continue to perform internal analysis of the 30 mL sample results and to publicly report aggregated data. FSIS also stated that, following 90 percent of eligible establishments having been sampled for two full sets, the agency would consider if additional actions surrounding Campylobacter were needed, e.g., setting establishment categories 1/2/3 under the new performance standard. With nearly 90 percent of eligible establishments having completed two Campylobacter sets, which the agency is using as the benchmark for analysis of the 30 mL data, FSIS evaluated the available Campylobacter data and its analysis suggests that the performance standard based on the 1 mL sample volume is sufficiently sensitive to detect establishments whose process control is substandard. The minor sensitivity gained does not warrant the resources required to conduct the sampling. Furthermore, FSIS sees greater value in moving those laboratory resources currently reserved for this effort to other sampling projects. The methods used to conduct this analysis and a review of the 30 mL data are presented in a report at www.fsis.usda.gov/
PDF/Campylobacter_Methods_Comparison_Report.pdf.
Based on the need for other sampling priorities and the accompanying analysis, FSIS intends to suspend the 30 mL qualitative analysis on June 3. This will constitute the only change to this program. The agency believes that this will continue to drive Campylobacter incidence of poultry carcasses down while gaining sampling opportunities for other programs.
Update on FSIS’ Website Modernization Project
FSIS is modernizing its website. It will launch a beta version of the site on May 31. The BETA version will offer a limited experience of the new website. When the new website launches on June 14, FSIS recalls, press releases and fact sheets will be optimized for mobile devices.
Export Requirements
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following areas:
China, People’s Republic Japan Panama Singapore
Complete information can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/
Regulations_&_Policies/Export_Information/index.asp.
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