“Issues in the News” Modernization of Poultry Inspection Kendra Waldbusser SVP – Food Safety & Quality Assurance Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation

Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection Published in Federal Register on Jan 2012 Goal of agency was to implement early 2013 The proposed voluntary rule would eliminate the existing Streamlined Inspection System (SIS), New Line Speed Inspection System (NELS) Under the proposed rule, any waivers associated with technologies adopted in the rule would be no longer necessary and thus eliminated. The proposed rule would not affect the Salmonella Initiative Project (SIP), and any establishments operating under waivers would still need to be part of SIP.

What did all that mean? Currently 4 ways (systems) to slaughter a broiler: –SIS = 70 bpm 2 USDA inspectors –NELS = 91 bpm 3 USDA inspectors –High Speed Line Waiver = 140 bpm 4 USDA inspectors –HIMP Waiver = 175 bpm 1 inspector HACCP based Inspection Model Project 20 plants since 1999 USDA is proposing a new way

What would it look like? Plants conduct carcass “sorting” before USDA inspection. One USDA inspector would be assigned to each line and would be stationed just before the chiller. Would allow lines speeds up to 175 birds per minute for young chickens Would remove the existing finished product standards and instead require establishments to maintain procedures ensuring the products meet the definition of ready to cook poultry (e.g. standards for feathers) Would remove the chilling requirements and instead require plants to incorporate procedures for chilling

What would it look like? Cont. USDA would increase focus on offline inspections (e.g., HACCP records review and other food safety related tasks) A USDA inspector would have to be notified before a new flock is slaughtered to allow inspection of the viscera of the first 300 birds slaughtered.

Common Misconceptions Line speeds will increase 5 fold Plants could “flip a switch” and go to 175bpm The change would be mandatory Increase in line speed will be harmful to our employees Defect rates will increase