The safety of meat and poultry products remains a critical public health concern. Despite federal oversight, harmful bacteria continue to pose significant risks, affecting millions annually. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has made strides in setting standards but faces ongoing challenges in fully addressing pathogens like Salmonella and Campylobacter. This report highlights the need for strengthened oversight and coordinated efforts between agencies to mitigate these risks.

Challenges in Pathogen Standard Development

The development and implementation of pathogen standards have faced numerous delays, impacting food safety measures. FSIS has prioritized certain standards over others, leading to gaps in comprehensive oversight. The agency must now address these gaps to ensure that all meat and poultry products meet stringent safety criteria.

In 2018, FSIS designated Salmonella as an adulterant in uncooked breaded stuffed chicken products when present above certain levels. However, similar standards for other pathogens such as Campylobacter in meat and poultry products remain incomplete. The agency paused work on several standards to focus on a framework for Salmonella in raw poultry. This shift in focus has raised concerns about potential oversight gaps and their impact on public health. By reassessing its priorities and documenting the tradeoffs, FSIS can better understand the risks associated with delayed standards and take corrective actions.

Interagency Coordination and Future Steps

Effective interagency coordination is essential for reducing pathogens in meat and poultry products. Current agreements between FSIS and APHIS lack specificity in addressing pathogens at the farm level, where contamination often begins. Updating or creating new memorandums of understanding will enhance collaboration and clarify responsibilities.

APHIS oversees farms, while FSIS focuses on slaughter and processing plants. Their 2014 memorandum of understanding (MOU) does not adequately detail each agency’s role in responding to specific pathogens that occur on farms. This gap hinders effective outbreak response and prevention. To improve coordination, FSIS and APHIS should update their MOU or develop a new agreement that clearly identifies pathogens of concern and delineates each agency’s responsibilities. Additionally, FSIS should provide educational materials to regulated plants to support sanitation efforts and reduce pathogen spread. These steps are crucial for enhancing overall food safety and protecting public health.