Source:  USDA, 11/17/14

Text of StoryThe final rule on modernization of poultry inspection (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/00ffa106-f373-437a-9cf3-6417f289bfc2/2011-0012.pdf?MOD=AJPERES) requires that poultry slaughter establishments, other than those that slaughter ratites, develop, implement, and maintain written procedures to prevent contamination of carcasses and parts by enteric pathogens and fecal contamination throughout the entire slaughter and dressing operation and demonstrate this control through microbiological sampling and testing. The rule also requires that poultry slaughter establishments develop, implement, and maintain written procedures to ensure that carcasses with visible fecal contamination do not enter the chiller.

These new requirements become effective on the following dates:
• For large establishments, defined as all establishments with 500 or more employees, on Nov.19, 2014;
• For small establishments, defined as all establishments with 10 or more employees but fewer than 500, on Dec. 19, 2014; and
• For very small establishments, defined as all establishments with fewer than 10 employees or annual sales of less than $2.5 million, on Feb. 17, 2015.

FSIS will not begin verifying that large establishments meet the new requirements until Dec. 1, 2014, according to the instructions FSIS issued on Nov.14, 2014. These instructions can be found at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/28bde16c-4b5c-4284-a2c6-1567a83aaf7c/64-14.pdf?MOD=AJPERES.