FSIS Issues Comprehensive Strategy to Reduce Salmonella

Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) released its Salmonella Action Plan.  It outlines the steps it will take to address the most pressing problem it faces -- Salmonella in meat and poultry products. According to the agency, an estimated 1.3 million illnesses can be attributed to Salmonella each year.

In announcing the Salmonella Action Plan, Under Secretary for Food Safety, Elisabeth Hagen, reported, “Far too many Americans are sickened by Salmonella every year. The aggressive and comprehensive steps detailed in the Salmonella Action Plan will protect consumers by making meat and poultry products safer.”

Enhancing Salmonella sampling and testing programs is a part of this comprehensive effort, ensuring that these programs factor in the latest scientific information available and account for emerging trends in foodborne illness. Inspectors will be empowered with the tools necessary to expeditiously pinpoint problems.  With more information about a plant’s performance history and with better methods for assessing in-plant conditions, inspectors will be better positioned to detect Salmonella earlier, before it can cause an outbreak.

One of the leading testing laboratories in North America that helps food manufacturers, retailers, regulators and the general public test for food pathogens is EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Salmonella in our nation’s food supply is a serious threat and it is good to see this latest effort by FSIS to reduce and prevent Salmonella-related illnesses,” said Joy Dell’Aringa, M.S., RM (NRM), CFSP, National Food Director at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “EMSL has been on the frontline in helping to prevent outbreaks and illnesses through testing services that rapidly and accurately identify Salmonella and a wide range of other foodborne pathogens.”

EMSL has created a video about Salmonella that can be seen at:

http://youtu.be/1v59mjWwJZ8

To learn more about testing for Salmonella and other food testing services, please visit www.FoodTestingLab.com or www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of food, environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com