Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 5/28/14
 
USDA is scheduled to issue in July a final rule establishing new poultry inspection procedures, according to the Obama administration’s recently released spring agenda.

USDA’s “Modernization of Poultry Inspection” puts some visual and organoleptic on-line inspection responsibilities in the hands of poultry company employees and shifts more agency inspectors to off-line food safety verification duties.

The new rules align with efforts by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to strengthen food safety controls of salmonella and campylobacter in poultry slaughter plants.

By the end of fiscal year 2014 (Sept. 30) FSIS expects to announce and request comment on a new performance standards for salmonella and campylobacter in chicken parts, for example. The agency also is analyzing data for possible new performance standards for both of these pathogens in comminuted poultry products, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack noted in a May 16 letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).

In March 16 and April 15 letters, Sens. Feinstein, Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) urged USDA to establish performance standards for salmonella and campylobacter for all major product types, including poultry parts.

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