Regulatory UpdateNational Turkey Federation

2012 Annual ConventionFebruary 15 – 18, 2012

Brett T. Schwemer

Proposed Poultry Slaughter Rule

• NIS vs. Modified Traditional• NIS

– Establishments sort carcasses prior to FSIS carcass-by-carcass inspection

– One inspector on-line prior to chiller for inspection– Increase in off-line inspectors to verify slaughter/dressing

controls, draw pathogen samples, etc.– Facility requirements for on-line inspection station– Maximum Line speed – 55 BPM for turkeys

Proposed Poultry Slaughter Rule (cont.)

• Both NIS and Traditional– Written controls to prevent fecal contamination or

enteric pathogens throughout the entire slaughter and dressing process

– Verification testing for Salmonella and Campylobacter, or indicator organism, at pre- and post-chill

Proposed Poultry Slaughter Rule (cont.)

• Modifications to Existing Regulations/Programs– Eliminate time-temperature requirements– Amend reprocessing regulation– Remove mandatory generic E. coli testing– Eliminate Salmonella performance standards (but the

“new” standards will still be used as performance criteria!!!)

– Eliminate finished product standards– SIP?

• Waivers regarding time/temp., HIMP, and reprocessing would end with rule

• SIP could still be alive for other waivers

Salmonella and Ground Turkey• “Industry-reassessment should be evident”• “FSIS likely will focus on verification testing of

all comminuted not designated for RTE processing”

• “New standard for comminuted product likely will be expedited”– Dan Engeljohn, January 2012 International Poultry

Expo, Atlanta, GA

Salmonella and Ground Turkey• Current Standard 49.9%

Reference: USDA – FSIS Website

Campylobacter• As of end of December 2011

– Turkey Carcasses (67% passed; 33% failed)• Large – 9 passed; 3 failed• Small – 1 passed; 2 failed

– Turkey Carcasses (Passing = 1.1%)• Large – 2.0% out of 777 Samples• Small – 2.2% out of 309 Samples• Very Small – 0% out of 3 samples• All Sizes – 4.2% out of 1,089 Samples

– Dan Engeljohn, January 2012 International Poultry Expo, Atlanta, GA

PHIS• Status update

– PHIS Domestic (federal)- All circuits now implemented (without HAV/FSA scheduling component)

• HAV expected to start in March 2012 (without scheduling component)

– 17 establishments selected for industry (in-plant pilot)• Approximately 6 weeks and then all plants will have in-plant

access• Working on developing secure corporate access

– PHIS Import – April– PHIS – Domestic (states) – late summer/fall– PHIS Exports – after above target dates

PHIS• Use of data to drive inspection decisions

(public health decision criteria)– Sufficient data in system (90-days)– Data quality check

• Current thinking– http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/NACMPI/

Sep2010/2010_Public_Health_Decsion_Criteria_Report.pdf.

• Have procedures for dealing with NRs!

FSIS Final Rule on Notification, Documentation and Recordkeeping• Final rule will require:

– Notification to FSIS when there is “reason to believe” adulterated or misbranded product is in commerce;

– Written recall procedures; and– Documentation of HACCP reassessments

• Final rule went to OMB• Notification provision could lead to more recalls!

Other Food Safety Initiatives

• Notice on HACCP validation – OMB

• Test and Hold Final Rule - OMB

FSIS Proposed Rule on Generic Label Approval

• Will expand generic approval to all labels except:– Labels for products produced under religious exemption– Labels for products for foreign commerce whose labels

deviate from FSIS regulations (except foreign language and quantity of contents)

– Special statements and claims not defined in FSIS regulations (or policy?)

• Comments extended to March 3, 2012

Other Pending Labeling Initiatives

• Natural

• Electronic Label Submission

• Other improvements to LPDD

• Protective coverings

THANK YOU!