The pilot is open to chicken and turkey slaughter and processing establishments that are subject to one or more existing Salmonella performance standards for carcasses, parts, or comminuted products. To participate, establishments must either incorporate Salmonella biomapping into their food safety system or include a validated Critical Control Point (CCP) for Salmonella control in their Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan.

Pilot Will Evaluate Alternative Performance Standard Window

As part of the pilot, FSIS plans to evaluate a shortened moving window for Salmonella performance standards. Instead of the current 52-week moving window, participating establishments would be evaluated using a variable moving window beginning at 13 weeks, with a maximum of 52 weeks.

FSIS also said it will consider waiver requests submitted through the Salmonella Initiative Program (SIP) for alternative carcass microbial sampling frequencies under Title 9, Section 381.65(g)(2)(i) in the Code of Federal Regulations. According to the agency, information collected through the pilot could inform potential future regulatory changes.

Biomapping or Validated CCP Required

Establishments participating through the biomapping option must submit a sampling plan identifying locations throughout the facility where Salmonella samples will be collected and enumerated. After approval, FSIS inspection program personnel (IPP) will routinely verify biomapping data collection.

Establishments choosing the CCP option must submit information describing the validated Salmonella intervention included in their HACCP plan. Facilities that already conduct biomapping or have implemented a validated CCP are also eligible to participate.

FSIS said approved participants will be listed on the agency's Pilot Projects: Salmonella Control Strategies webpage.