USDA Should Strengthen Approach to Pathogens in Poultry Products, GAO Says

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report assessing
the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) current approach to Salmonella
and Campylobacter in chicken and turkey products and recommending
that the agriculture secretary direct the Food Safety and Inspection Service
(FSIS) to take steps to improve the approach. The report reviews past USDA
action on these pathogens, including the establishment of standards limiting
Campylobacter contamination and the tightening of existing Salmonella
contamination standards. GAO recommended that the agriculture secretary
direct FSIS to develop Salmonella and Campylobacter performance measures
to monitor whether efforts to bring processing plants into compliance with
the poultry products standards are meeting the agency’s goals. GAO also
recommended that effectiveness measures be included in future revisions of
compliance guidelines for controlling the pathogens. According to the report,
USDA agrees with the recommendations.

Issue 542