AUGUST 20249 ENVIRONMENTAL BUSINESS REVIEW1: 0-2, Category 2: 3-5 and Category 3: >5 out of 52 consecutive samples collected ­ prevalence for WB and now a Campylobacter performance standard was announced for WB (8/51). By now, nobody talked about E. coli (generic) as an indicator organism, instead, EB and APC were now the newcomer indicators. Then, in 2016, the introduction to parts performance standards: 8/51 for Salmonella and 4/52 for Campylobacter came into reality with a 52 weekly rolling window. Shifting over to processing, in 2017, the FSIS announced the New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS), to which interested plants had to apply through a rigorous application process. After one year in NPIS, approved establishments could apply to a line speed waiver program, which also required a rigorous application process and data sharing. A little over 50 establishments in the U.S. were approved to run at higher evisceration line speeds (140 birds per minute).By the end of 2017, the FSIS announced the posting of WB Salmonella categories on their website and, as of 2018, posting of Salmonella Parts categories as well. A change of Campylobacter Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) would occur the same year, by which Campylobacter isolates would be enriched prior to prevalence testing. Of course, then in 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic had reached the U.S. and literally our lives were changed forever. By September of 2020, Dr. Mindy Brashears,while she was the Under Secretary of Agriculture for U.S. Food Safety, introduced the "Roadmap to Reducing Salmonella," a driving change through science-based policy. By the following year in 2022, the FSIS held two virtual Industry Roundtable meetings, discussing the future of Salmonella control in poultry to include pilot projects. In August of the same year, FSIS proposed to declare Salmonella as an adulterant in stuffed and breaded chicken products, which was announced during the IAFP meeting in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Almost at the same time, the new modified Line Speed Waiver was introduced to all original Line Speed Waiver holders as a new program to apply for along with sharing monthly worker safety data with FSIS. To finish up the year with flying colors, FSIS introduced the Proposed Regulatory Framework to Reduce Salmonella Illness Attributable to Poultry, which included three components: incoming flock testing, enhancing establishments process control and implementing an enforceable final product standard. Several proposed regulatory changes which will require adaptation within the poultry industry. Juan F. DeVillena
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