Analysis of Laboratory Test Results from the Automated Import Information System (AIIS), July 2007 to May 2012

Introduction: AIIS was a computerized tracking system used by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) between 2002 and 2012 to monitor meat and poultry imports. Along with imported meat/poultry products being inspected in the country of origin and reinspected visually before being released in the United States, AIIS selected certain shipments (lots) of these imports for additional reinspection tasks, such as testing for various microbiological pathogens or residues. Lot selection was statistically based on the annual volume of shipments from the exporting country. Effective May 2012, AIIS functions were replaced by the Imports module of the Public Health Information System (PHIS).

Purpose: To summarize microbiological and residue testing results on imports samples selected by AIIS, July 2007 - May 2012.

Methods: Imports samples collected under AIIS were tested for Escherichia coli O157:H7 (Ec), Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) and Salmonella spp., plus 14 different chemical residues in accordance with FSIS standard laboratory procedures.

Results: Testing was performed on 37,009 samples from 22,739 unique lots, representing over 394 million pounds of imports from 29 countries. About 93% of the tests were scheduled inspections, with 3% unscheduled and 4% under intensified status. A total of 22,553 samples were tested for microbial pathogens, with 48 samples positive (0.21% of samples tested). Twenty of these were raw beef samples positive for Ec, while another 26 were Lm-positive Ready-to-Eat (RTE) meat (beef and pork) and poultry products. There were 16,454 samples from the 29 countries tested for chemical residues, with 44 samples from 5 countries classified as violative positives (0.27%). Almost all these samples were positive for Avermectins, detected in both raw and RTE beef samples.

Significance: AIIS data have guided improvements in policies, regulations, inspection procedures and enforcement actions relevant to testing of imported meat and poultry samples for microbiological or residue contamination under PHIS.