Notice2022-22254
Proposed Framework for Controlling Salmonella in Poultry
Primary source
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Published
October 17, 2022
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentFood Safety and Inspection Service
Abstract
FSIS is hosting a virtual public meeting to discuss a regulatory framework that the Agency is considering for a new strategy to control Salmonella in poultry products and more effectively reduce foodborne Salmonella infections linked to these products. The framework under consideration has been shaped by months of information-gathering and discussions with a wide range of stakeholders, researchers, and scientists. FSIS is seeking input from stakeholders on this proposed framework, both at the public meeting and in written comments submitted in response to this Federal Register notice before FSIS moves forward with any proposed changes to the Agency's Salmonella strategy.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 199 (Monday, October 17, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 199 (Monday, October 17, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62784-62786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-22254]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. FSIS-2022-0029]
Proposed Framework for Controlling Salmonella in Poultry
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notification of public meeting.
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SUMMARY: FSIS is hosting a virtual public meeting to discuss a
regulatory framework that the Agency is considering for a new strategy
to control Salmonella in poultry products and more effectively reduce
foodborne Salmonella infections linked to these products. The framework
under consideration has been shaped by months of information-gathering
and discussions with a wide range of stakeholders, researchers, and
scientists. FSIS is seeking input from stakeholders on this proposed
framework, both at the public meeting and in written comments submitted
in response to this Federal Register notice before FSIS moves forward
with any proposed changes to the Agency's Salmonella strategy.
DATES: The virtual public meeting will be held on Thursday, November 3,
2022, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. EST. Submit comments on or before November
16, 2022.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be virtual and will be viewed via the Zoom
link provided by email when you register for the meeting. Attendees
must be pre-registered for the meeting. See the pre-registration
instructions under ``Registration and Meeting Materials.''
Comments on this notice may be by one of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides the
ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this
web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for
submitting comments.
<bullet> Mail: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence
Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
<bullet> Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 350-E,
Washington, DC 20250-3700.
Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2022-0029. Comments
received in response to this docket will be made available for public
inspection and posted without change, including any personal
information, to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Docket: For access to background documents or comments received,
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4e2a212d252b3a2d222b3c250e3b3d2a2f60292138"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4a2e2529212f3e29262f38210a3f392e2b642d253c">[email protected]</span></a> or call 202-692- 4235 to schedule a time to
visit the FSIS Docket Room at 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20250-3700.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Email Congressional and Public Affairs
at: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#87d4caa9c1d4ced4a9d4c6cbcac8c9c2cbcbc6cac2c2d3cec9c0c7d2d4c3c6a9c0c8d1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="81d2ccafc7d2c8d2afd2c0cdcccecfc4cdcdc0ccc4c4d5c8cfc6c1d4d2c5c0afc6ced7">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
FSIS is the public health agency in USDA whose mission is to ensure
that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and properly
labeled and packaged. FSIS has used the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services' Healthy People \1\ target to set pathogen reduction
goals for FSIS-regulated products over the past few decades. However,
the 2010 and 2020 Healthy People targets for a reduction in Salmonella
infections from all sources were not met.\2\ The Healthy People 2030
target is to reduce Salmonella infections to a national case rate of no
more than 11.5 per 100,000 consumers per year. To reach the 2030
target, illnesses must be reduced by 25%. Although this target is for
Salmonella infections from all sources, FSIS has adopted the same
target and aims to reduce Salmonella infections linked to all FSIS-
regulated products by 25%.
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\1\ The Healthy People initiative guides national health
promotion and disease prevention efforts to improve the health of
the nation. Led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) every decade since 1980, Healthy People identifies science-
based objectives with targets to monitor progress and motivate and
focus action.
\2\ The Healthy People 2010 and 2020 targets were 6.8 and 11.4
Salmonella infections per 100,000 population, respectively. Between
2010 and 2017, infection rates averaged 15.8 Salmonella infections
per 100,000 population.
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Despite FSIS sampling data showing reductions in Salmonella
contamination in poultry products, our current approach to Salmonella
has not led to a demonstrable reduction in Salmonella infections to
meet the Healthy People target. For example, during the five-year
period from 2017 to 2021, the number of chicken product samples in
which FSIS detected Salmonella decreased by more than 50%.\3\ However,
the
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estimated rate of human Salmonella infections from all sources has
remained consistent over the last two decades, with an estimated 1.35
million infections in the U.S. each year.\4\ The most recent report
from the Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration estimates that
over 23% of foodborne Salmonella illnesses are attributable to poultry
consumption--almost 17% from chicken and over 6% from turkey.\5\
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\3\ FSIS Salmonella verification sampling. Available at: <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/science-data/data-sets-visualizations/microbiology/salmonella-verification-testing-program-monthly">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/science-data/data-sets-visualizations/microbiology/salmonella-verification-testing-program-monthly</a>.
\4\ Salmonella: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Available at: Salmonella <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/index.html">https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/index.html</a>.
\5\ Foodborne illness source attribution estimates for 2019 for
Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, and
Campylobacter using multi-year outbreak surveillance data, United
States. IFAC October 2021. Available at: <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/ifsac/pdf/P19-2019-report-TriAgency-508.pdf">https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/ifsac/pdf/P19-2019-report-TriAgency-508.pdf</a>.
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Proposed Regulatory Framework To Reduce Salmonella Illnesses
Attributable to Poultry
FSIS is considering a regulatory framework for a new strategy to
control Salmonella in poultry products and more effectively reduce
foodborne Salmonella infections linked to these products. At the same
time, FSIS is gathering scientific evidence relevant to the approaches
presented in this framework. The National Advisory Committee on
Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMF) \6\ has been charged with
providing guidance on what types of microbiological criteria FSIS might
use to better prevent Salmonella infections associated with poultry
products. FSIS is also completing a risk profile for pathogenic
Salmonella subtypes in poultry and is collaborating on quantitative
risk assessments \7\ for Salmonella in chicken and turkey that will
address key risk management questions associated with this framework.
FSIS also expanded its exploratory sampling program for young chicken
carcasses \8\ to generate microbial data to help inform future
policies.
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\6\ 2021-2023 National Advisory Committee on Microbiological
Criteria for Food. FSIS Charge: Enhancing Salmonella Control in
Poultry Products. Available at: <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/policy/advisory-committees/national-advisory-committee-microbiological-criteria-foods-nacmcf/2021">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/policy/advisory-committees/national-advisory-committee-microbiological-criteria-foods-nacmcf/2021</a>.
\7\ FSIS Constituent Update July 1, 2022: FSIS Announces
Cooperative Agreement on Salmonella Risk Assessment. Available at:
<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/news-press-releases/constituent-update-july-1-2022">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/news-press-releases/constituent-update-july-1-2022</a>.
\8\ FSIS Notice 44-2 Revised Young Chicken Exploratory Sampling
Program (August 11, 2022) Available at: <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/policy/fsis-notice/44-22">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/policy/fsis-notice/44-22</a>.
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While awaiting results from these activities, FSIS is sharing the
key elements that the Agency is currently considering as part of a new
regulatory strategy in this framework. FSIS is soliciting additional
feedback from stakeholders addressing specific questions associated
with this document before moving forward with any proposed changes to
regulations or other actions.
The proposed framework that is currently under consideration is
available on the FSIS website at: <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/events-meetings/public-meeting-reducing-salmonella-poultry">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/events-meetings/public-meeting-reducing-salmonella-poultry</a>.
Public Meeting
FSIS is announcing that it will hold a virtual public meeting on
November 3, 2022, to discuss issues related to the regulatory framework
to control Salmonella in poultry products under consideration. At this
meeting, FSIS will accept public comment on the framework under
consideration, which consists of three components that, together,
support a comprehensive approach to controlling Salmonella in poultry.
The three components under consideration are:
1. Requiring that incoming flocks be tested for Salmonella before
entering an establishment;
2. Enhancing establishment process control monitoring and FSIS
verification; and
3. Implementing an enforceable final product standard.
The proposed framework also addresses cross-cutting issues
associated with testing for Salmonella, considerations for small and
very small establishments, and data sharing.
An agenda will be published online before the public meeting. FSIS
will finalize the agenda on or before the meeting date and post it on
the FSIS website at: <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/events-meetings/public-meeting-reducing-salmonella-poultry">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/events-meetings/public-meeting-reducing-salmonella-poultry</a>.
Registration and Meeting Materials
There is no fee to register for the public meeting, but pre-
registration is mandatory for participants attending. All attendees
must register online by visiting <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/events-meetings/public-meeting-reducing-salmonella-poultry">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/events-meetings/public-meeting-reducing-salmonella-poultry</a>, after which
they will receive an email acknowledging their registration.
Stakeholders who wish to speak at the meeting must notify FSIS during
registration and must register by October 24, 2022. Attendees that do
not plan to speak at the public meeting may register at any time up to
the day of the meeting.
Public Comments and Participation in Meetings
Public Comments: Oral Comments
Stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide oral comments on
any of the 4 components of the framework under consideration, i.e., the
3 components and cross-cutting issues, during the public meeting. Oral
comments will be limited to two minutes per component. Attendees must
identify which component (s) they will be commenting on when they
register for the public meeting and will be allowed to comment on as
many components as they wish. Due to the anticipated high level of
interest in the opportunity to make public comments and the limited
time available to do so, FSIS will do its best to accommodate all
persons who pre-registered and requested to provide oral comments.
Attendees that pre-register will be allotted time to speak in the order
of registration. FSIS will notify stakeholders that register to speak
of the approximate time(s) they are scheduled to speak in advance of
the meeting. As noted above, stakeholders will be allotted a maximum of
2 minutes to comment on each framework component, but the comment
periods will take place at different times over the course of the day.
FSIS encourages persons and groups who have similar interests to
consolidate their information for presentation by a single
representative.
Stakeholders who do not notify FSIS during registration of their
wish to speak will not have the opportunity to comment on a specific
framework component on the day of the public meeting. However, there
will be an open comment period for general questions or comments at the
end of the meeting. Stakeholders may also submit written comments using
the instructions in the Addresses section above.
Panel Discussions
During the meeting, stakeholders will be organized into groups to
present their oral comments for each framework component to panels
comprised of FSIS leadership and experts. The primary purpose of the
panels is to listen to stakeholder input, but panelists may ask
questions of the stakeholders if clarification is needed.
Transcripts
As soon as the meeting transcripts are available, they will be
accessible on the FSIS website at: <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/events-meetings/public-meeting-reducing-salmonella-poultry">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/events-meetings/public-meeting-reducing-salmonella-poultry</a>. The
transcripts may
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also be viewed at the FSIS Docket Room at the address listed above.
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, USDA, its
Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices, employees, and institutions
participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from
discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation,
disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived
from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity
conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs).
Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Program information may be made available in languages other than
English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the
responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office; the USDA TARGET
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY); or the Federal Relay Service
at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should
complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form,
which can be obtained online at <a href="https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/ad-3027">https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/ad-3027</a>, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a
letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's
name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the
alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date
of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or
letter must be submitted to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20250-9410; or
(2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
(3) Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f78785989085969ad99e9983969c92b782849396d9909881"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d0a0a2bfb7a2b1bdfeb9bea4b1bbb590a5a3b4b1feb7bfa6">[email protected]</span></a>.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Paul Kiecker,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2022-22254 Filed 10-14-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P
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