 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FSIS to Host Public Meeting on Advances in Post-Harvest Reduction of Salmonella in Poultry |
|
|
|
Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Bridgette Keefe
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2006 - USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today
announced a public meeting Feb. 23-24 in Atlanta, Ga., to hear and discuss presentations on reducing
the presence of Salmonella and other enteric microorganisms in poultry slaughter and processing.
The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 23, and from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
Friday, Feb. 24 at the Loudermilk Center, 40 Courtland Street, NE, Atlanta, Ga., 30303, (404) 507-1696.
An agenda will be available prior to the meeting on FSIS' Web site at https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106093821/http://www.fsis.usda.gov.
Since 2002, FSIS has seen an increase in Salmonella positive samples in broilers. Although the
overall percentage of positive samples in verification testing of broilers is still below national
baseline prevalence figures, the upward trend in recent years is of concern to the agency.
In August, FSIS held a public meeting to hear presentations on advances in pre-harvest reduction of Salmonella
in poultry. The upcoming meeting in Atlanta will focus on interventions during broiler slaughter as well
as further processing of ground chicken and turkey.
FSIS will also announce and seek input on strategy to more effectively control Salmonella in
all classes of poultry. The strategy will be patterned after the highly successful FSIS initiative to
reduce the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef. The FSIS initiative, among other factors,
has led to a 40 percent reduction in human illnesses associated with the pathogen. The U.S. is now below
the Healthy People 2010 goal of 1.0 case per 100,000 persons, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
In contrast, the CDC reported in its 2004 report on the incidence of infection with pathogens transmitted
commonly through foods that overall, Salmonella illnesses fell by 8% compared to the 1996-98 baseline.
The meeting will be available via net casting and a compact disc will be distributed following the meeting
to ensure that all stakeholders have ready access to the presentations, questions and answers, and handouts
for use as an educational and training tool. There will also be presentations on best practices, from the
broiler, turkey and beef industries. FSIS believes that the significant process control measures taken
by the beef industry for E. coli O157:H7 can serve as a very important road map for how the
broiler industry can gain process control of Salmonella and Campylobacter.
Pre-registration is encouraged for the meeting. To pre-register, please visit FSIS Web site at the
following link: https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106093821/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
Registration_022306_PostHarvest/index.asp or
call Diane Jones at (202) 720-9692. Persons requiring a sign language interpreter or other special accommodations should contact Sheila Johnson by phone at (202) 690-6498.
|
|
#
|
Last Modified:
February 13, 2006 |
|
|
|
FSIS Advertisement Rotator
|
|
|
|
 |
