28.03.2008

FSIS- Salmonella

FSIS begins publishing results of completed sample sets from its Salmonella Verification Program for young chicken (broiler) slaughter establishments by their performance category on March 28. The Agency intends to post updated results on or about the 15th of each month for young chicken slaughter establishments. This will include data collected through the end of the previous month.
At this time, results are being published for establishments in Category 2 and Category 3. FSIS is not listing establishments in Category 1 and other establishments that do not have enough sets completed as required for Category 1. The Agency is looking at establishing a category for these establishments in the future and is also considering publishing category results for establishments in other product classes.
Performance standard for Salmonella in young chickens is 20 percent (12 positive samples out of 51).
Category 1 establishments have results from their two most recent completed sample sets that are at or below half of the standard. This would be at or below 10 percent (6 positive samples out of a set of 51).
Category 2 establishments have results from their most recent completed sample set that are higher than half of the standard but do not exceed the standard. This would be above 10 percent (more than 6 positive samples out of a set of 51) but at or below 20 percent (12 positive samples out of 51).
Category 3 establishments have results from their most recent completed sample set that exceed the standard for Salmonella in young chickens. This would be above 20 percent (13 or more positive samples out of 51).
Other establishments have results for their most recent sets that are at or below half of the standard but do not have the two recent successive completed sets at that level as required for Category 1. FSIS has not yet defined a category for such establishments.