August 20, 2014
The United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety (USDA) and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced additional food safety requirements and a new inspection system for poultry products.
As a means of controlling Salmonella and Campylobacter, poultry companies will have to meet new requirements of the New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS), an updated science-based inspection system that positions food safety inspectors throughout poultry facilities in a smarter way.
Additionally, all poultry facilities will be required to perform their own microbiological testing at two points in their production process to show that they are controlling Salmonella and Campylobacter. These requirements are in addition to FSIS' own testing, which the agency will continue to perform.
The new inspection system is expected to prevent up to 5,000 foodborne illnesses each year.