Recent illness outbreaks have shown outbreak strains can persist in slaughter and raw processing, in addition to RTE establishments. There are increasing developments in the novel and rapid sampling methods FSIS regulated establishments can use to verify the effectiveness of their food safety systems. Under Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations, FSIS regulated establishments are required to control food safety hazards and conduct verification activities (which may including sampling) to demonstrate that their systems are working as intended.  Additionally, FSIS regulated establishments are required to develop Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) to describe daily procedures to prevent direct contamination or adulteration of products.  Cost effective, rapid, and less labor intensive methods can aid establishment’s verification activities to ensure the HACCP system is functioning as intended on an ongoing basis. This symposium will bring together speakers from academia, industry, and government to present new trends in sampling methods. FSIS regulated establishments may be able to utilize those sampling methods to support their verification activities under their HACCP system and sanitation programs to comply with FSIS regulations and reduce the risk of foodborne illness from their products.

Presentations