FSIS Policy Update: Turkey Product Presented by DANIEL ENGELJOHN, PhD Assistant Administrator Office of Policy and Program Development Food Safety and Inspection Service U.S. Department of Agriculture National Turkey Federation Meeting February 17, 2012, Tampa, FL 1

2 Regulatory Flexibility Proposed poultry slaughter rule Proposal (1/27/12) has a 90-day comment period ending 4/26/12 New poultry inspection system Establishment sorts birds prior to carcass-by-carcass inspection (1 inspector on the line; off-line inspectors verify slaughter/dressing) OCP addressed where best suited by establishment Written controls for prevention throughout slaughter/dressing Enteric pathogens and fecal contamination are hazards reasonably likely to occur Microbiological evidence of process control measured at two points (pre- and post-chill) Current SIP waivers incorporated in the rule (waivers and conditions end with the final rule)

3 Public Health Issue of Concern Salmonella and comminuted turkey End to status quo regarding inspection response to illnesses directly associated with raw classes of products New policy direction initiated in Fall 2011 in response to 2 outbreaks in which FSIS directed that the establishment must demonstrate control for outbreak strains Expect: Industry-wide reassessment Verification of food safety controls via testing of all comminuted product not designated for RTE New baselines for comminuted chicken and comminuted turkey with new performance standards Operation controlled at Category 1 at this time (</=14 per 53 rather than 29 per set)

4 Potential Public Health Concern Campylobacter and Salmonella For turkey carcass sets as of December failed for both pathogens 10 passed for both pathogens 4 failed for Campylobacter but passed for Salmonella 0 passed for both pathogens

5 Other Issues Producer information collection by FSIS Petitions MDR Salmonella Halal slaughter End of set letters SIP Other?

Thank you 6 Dr. Daniel Engeljohn 1400 Independence Ave. S.W. 349-E JWB Washington, DC