USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on January 9, 2012, published a notice (04-12) outlining the implementation of the “Nationwide Raw Chicken Parts Microbiological Baseline Data Collection Program.” Data collection for the baseline is to begin on January 23, 2012. The results of this data collection program will result in performance standards for chicken parts. It is the responsibility of the Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) to inform plant management that samples are going to be collected in their facilities for approximately six months. Individual results of this microbiological sampling will not be the basis for regulatory action. A copy of the notice can be found here.
