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1. Executive Summary
Pages 1-11

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From page 1...
... During the course of its study of those programs the committee observed that it could not find a comprehensive statement of criteria justifying inspection procedures, a systematic data base on contaminants, or a technically complete analysis of the benefits to human health resulting from the inspection process. That is, in general it found that it is not possible to determine from existing data whether current inspection programs actually fulfill their goal of protecting the public health.
From page 2...
... The conclus ions and recommendations described in the following paragraphs derive from the committee' s qualitative application of the model to the available information on poultry health hazards . S ince the current data base is essentially the some as that used in the 1985 report, the present committee did not conduct another comprehens ive evaluation of the FSIS poultry inspection program buts rather, focused on developing the r~sk-assessment model and delineating how it might be used to evaluate FSIS programs.
From page 3...
... Although information is not sufficient for the committee to conclude that the FSIS inspection program has no public health benefits, the weight of the evidence does suggest that the current program can not provide effective protection against the risks presented by microbial agents that are pathogenic to humans. The committee concluded that risk assessment is one of the most valuable tools available to serve regulatory agencies such as FSIS because it facilitates a structured approach to the evaluation of information as well as an explicit, consistent, and logical treatment of data.
From page 4...
... It can serve as a guide in the development of future programs and assist in determining the level of public health protection afforded by current inspection procedures. Conclus ions · The committee concluded that by conducting a qualitative examination of each component of the risk model it is possible to identify potential sources of health hazards and to suggest means of preventing their introduction.
From page 5...
... · As FSIS evaluates the poultry processing system with the objective of increasing public health protection, its managerial personnel will have to identify those circumstances in which quantitative assessments are justified on the basis of additional insights or improved clarity that they could lend to the dec~sionmaking process. Recommendations · The committee's risk model should be regarded as a prototype that FSIS can modify and refine to suit its own special needs and goals.
From page 6...
... · Minimizing microbial contaminants on poultry is a worthwhile obj ective, but it is premature to establish formal microbiological criteria for classifying raw products as microbiologically acceptable or unacceptable. The committee concluded that the data required to j ustify such formal regulatory standards do not exist .
From page 7...
... In light of these conclusions, the present committee approached its analys is of chemical risks by reviewing the current status of toxicological testing used in chemical risk assessments, by describing where information and data are needed to appropriately characterize various classes of chemicals, and by delineating eight necessary components of a program for controlling chemical contaminants (see Chapter 5 ~ . After examining data on the identification, toxicological properties, and occurrence of chemical hazards in poultry, and considering this information in the context of its model, the committee reached the conclusions listed below.
From page 8...
... · A comprehensive analys is of the risk of chemical res idues in poultry was not possible, but in examining the limited data available the committee found no evidence that such residues pose a significant threat to public health. Recommendations The committee' s major recommendations regarding chemical residues are based on its observation that important sources of residues are not considered in the FSIS monitoring program and that priorities for risk management are currently not set according to the relative magnitude of risk for known residues.
From page 9...
... These objectives, along with maintaining a sanitary environment, are valid components of any food- related quality assurance program, but should not be the only goals. This traditional approach to inspection can provide a foundation for the control of public health risks, but an effective program requires a broadened scope of activities based on quality assurance principles.
From page 10...
... The committee emphasizes, however, that less frequent but more intense examination of samples of chickens is not a substitute for maintaining a sanitary environment and that expert technical support and planning are required to ensure maximum benefits from such a program. Conclusions · The committee concluded that current procedures for selecting poultry samples for analysis of chemical contaminants are limited and are not sufficiently flexible to meet the needs of an expanding incus try O For example, at the current monitoring rate of 300 samples per year, some plants may not be sampled for extended periods.
From page 11...
... However, over the past few decades it has become apparent that the methods needed to detect and control poultry-associated public health threats are more complex than organoleptic inspection techniques alone can provide. The committee hopes that its risk model and its discussion of some potential applications will assist FSIS in controlling poultry-related health risks and developing a quality assurance program that will lead to nutritious and increasingly safe products.


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