Food Safety and Inspection Service

Office of Public Health Science

Annual Report

2010
A Message from the OPHS Assistant Administrator

The Office of Public Health Science (OPHS) supports the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) 

mission by providing expert scientific data, analysis, and recommendations to reduce or eliminate 

foodborne illness in regulated products and assess potential human health risk along the farm-totable continuum. During Fiscal Year (FY) 2010, OPHS continued to provide sound scientific leadership 

to the Agency and enhance scientific methods for estimating the risks associated with foodborne 

pathogens, detecting these pathogens in the food supply, and responding to foodborne illness 

outbreaks. During this period, OPHS also worked to identify emerging risks and continued to develop 

strategies for identifying and applying new microbiological, chemical, and toxicological methods to 

pathogens of concern. 

The FY2010 Annual Report highlights the outstanding work completed by OPHS employees 

to accomplish the Agency’s mission. For example, FSIS developed the first performance standards 

for Campylobacter based on data from previous young chicken and turkey baseline studies. The 

proposed performance standards will minimize exposure of this pathogen to consumers, resulting 

in fewer human illnesses. In addition, OPHS linked a multistate cluster of Salmonella Montevideo 

to post-processing contamination of pepper flakes added to an Italian-style sausage product. This 

investigation led the Agency to re-examine post-lethality control steps to ensure that they comply 

with safety standards. FSIS also applied a risk assessment model following a new approach and 

successfully linked public health outcomes to food safety measures and objectives. This new approach 

may assist the Agency in setting more effective equivalency food safety standards for trade. These are 

but a few of the many accomplishments achieved by OPHS during FY2010. I am proud of the efforts 

and dedication of OPHS employees who strive for scientific excellence to ensure the safety of meat, 

poultry, and egg products that reach national and international consumers. 

David P. Goldman, M.D., M.P.H.

Captain, U.S. Public Health Service

Assistant Administrator, OPHS

Message fro

m the

Assistant

A

d

ministrator
Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Strategic Plan 1

OPHS Organization 2

Tables and Figures

Figure 1. Distribution of OPHS professional and educational experience 3

Figure 2. OPHS FY2010 budget allocation 4

Figure 3. FSIS FSL sample analyses 5

Figure 4. Investigations and watches in FY2010 6

Figure 5. Consumer Complaints Monitoring System (CCMS) Investigations in FY2010 6

Figure 6. Risk Assessments Developed, Revised, and Updated in FY2010 7

OPHS 2010 Accomplishments

OPHS Goal 2.1

Validating a method to detect melamine 8

Detecting industrial dyes in aquaculture products 8

OPHS Goal 2.2

OPHS issues a recall on Brazilian product 9

Investigating life-threatening food allergens 9

OPHS Goal 3.1

Revising pathogen performance standards in poultry 9

OPHS baseline studies provide details on pathogen loads 10

L. monocytogenes risk assessment informs policy 10

OPHS Goal 3.2

Laboratory accelerates sample results efficiency and economically 11

Enhanced chemical multi-residue method increases analytical testing capability 11

Baseline studies optimized to improve efficiency 11

OPHS Goal 3.3

Salmonella Montevideo illness cluster linked to peppered Italian-style salam 11

OPHS Goal 3.4

Linking public health to food safety measures 12

OPHS Goal 3.5

Characterizing L. monocytogenes in retail establishments 12

Revamping the National Residue Program to improve food safety 13
Table of Con

ten

t

s

OPHS Goal 3.5

OPHS supports science-based inspection activities 13

OPHS Goal 3.6

Baseline studies inform Campylobacter method 14

Interagency collaboration progresses on issues of food safety 14

OPHS Goal 5.1

OPHS builds a dynamic workforce 14

OPHS Goal 5.2

Going green saves energy and reduces waste at the Eastern Laboratory. 15

OPHS Goal 5.3

FY2010 budget managed within one-tenth of 1 percent 16

OPHS improves process efficiencies 16

OPHS Goal 6.1

Communicating the safety of U.S. pork 16

OPHS Goal 6.2

Improving the food safety public health information system 17

OPHS risk models available to a wider community 17

OPHS Impacts

Reducing Listeria monocytogenes, an evolving story 18

OPHS Committees

National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods 19

The Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) 19

Publications 20

Presentations 21
S

tra

tegi

c Plan

1

Introduction

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 

Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) aims 

to ensure that meat, poultry, and processed egg 

products distributed in commerce for use as 

human food are safe, wholesome, and accurately 

labeled. FSIS received statutory authority to 

accomplish these goals through four acts:

• The Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906;

• The Poultry Products Inspection Act of 1957;

• The Egg Products Inspection Act of 1970; 

and 

• Voluntary Inspection under the Agricultural 

 Marketing Act of 1946.

The Office of Public Health Science (OPHS) 

provides a sound scientific, medical, veterinary, 

analytical, and epidemiological foundation to 

FSIS and USDA to reduce or eliminate foodborne 

illness. OPHS supports FSIS by informing specific 

goals within the FSIS mission.

Strategic Plan

FSIS Goal 1 - Enhance inspection and 

enforcement systems and operations to protect 

public health. 

FSIS Goal 2 - Enhance the use of risk analysis 

and vulnerability assessments in FSIS’ approach 

to protecting public health. 

OPHS Goal 2.1 Integrate FERN activities into 

FSIS’ organizational planning mission execution. 

OPHS Goal 2.2 Use Risk Assessment/Hazard 

Assessment to support emergency management 

of possible public health incidents involving 

meat, poultry, and egg products.

FSIS Goal 3 - Enhance the development of 

science and risk-based policies and systems. 

OPHS Goal 3.1 Elevate and solidify OPHS’ 

role in policy development and execution.

OPHS Goal 3.2 Optimize laboratory analytical 

capability and capacity.

OPHS Goal 3.3 Optimize the efficiency 

and effectiveness of FSIS’ foodborne illness 

investigations.

OPHS Goal 3.4 Protect public health by utilizing 

risk analyses to appropriately assign resources.

OPHS Goal 3.5 Enhance the Agency’s ability 

to implement risk-based inspection.

OPHS Goal 3.6 Enhance foodborne illness 

attribution measurement capability.

FSIS Goal 4 - Enhance the development and 

maintenance of an integrated and robust data 

collection and analysis system to verify the 

effectiveness and efficiency of Agency 

programs. 

FSIS Goal 5 - Enhance the development and 

maintenance of an innovative infrastructure 

to support the Agency’s mission and programs. 

OPHS Goal 5.1 Build a world-class scientific 

workforce in support of the FSIS public health 

mission.

OPHS Goal 5.2 Build and maintain laboratory 

facilities that are green and state-of-the-art.

OPHS Goal 5.3 Build a robust, innovative 

budget, financial management, and performance integration infrastructure, focused on 

accountability and internal control.

FSIS Goal 6 - Enhance the effectiveness of 

Agency outreach and communications to 

achieve public health goals.

OPHS Goal 6.1 Improve FSIS’ regulatory 

effectiveness through better communication 

and collaboration.
OPHS Goal 6.2 Institutionalize OPHS’ role in the 

development of Agency public communications.

In support of the FSIS mission, OPHS staff 

characterize and quantify foodborne pathogens, 

specifically Escherichia coli, Salmonella, 

Campylobacter, and Listeria monocytogenes, on 

FSIS-regulated meat, poultry, and egg products. 

OPHS reports these results in baselines studies, 

white papers, and other technical documents. 

OPHS employees develop risk assessment 

models to predict how changes in Agency 

policies and practices could affect public health. 

In addition, employees conduct foodborne 

illness investigations. The staff at Field Service 

Laboratories (FSL) analyze for violations in 

chemical residues and veterinary drugs in 

FSIS-regulated products. To accomplish these 

goals and efficiently use Federal resources, 

OPHS coordinates and collaborates with other 

USDA agencies, including the Foreign Agricultural 

Service (FAS), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), 

and Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), as 

well as other Federal agencies, including the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

(CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

OPHS Organization

OPHS headquarters is divided into 3 scientific 

divisions and 1 administrative division. The 

Microbiology Division (MD) provides scientific 

support to FSIS on microbiological issues and 

assists in developing the scientifically sound 

policies that protect meat, poultry, and egg 

products. 

The Applied Epidemiology Division

(AED) supports the FSIS mission by working 

with Federal, State, and territorial partners to 

investigate and prevent exposure to potential 

foodborne hazards, including physical 

contaminants, zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial 

residues, and foodborne disease agents. 

The Risk Assessment Division (RAD) 

supports the FSIS mission by conducting food 

safety risk assessments to guide rulemaking and 

predict the public health impact of changes in 

Agency policies or practices. The Division also 

allocates inspection resources based on public 

health risk and evaluates the effectiveness of 

implemented food safety policies.

The Resource and Program Management 

Staff (RPMS) manages the planning and 

execution of budget, personnel management, 

and other essential administrative functions 

to ensure the efficient utilization of program 

resources to accomplish program strategic goals.

OPHS operates four International Organization 

for Standardization (ISO) 17025-accredited FSLs 

located in the eastern, central, and western 

United States. FSL staff coordinate and conduct 

analytical services in chemistry, microbiology, and 

pathology to ensure the safety of meat, poultry, 

and egg products. All FSL staff analyze 

for E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Campylobacter, 

and L. monocytogenes. Each FSL has responsibility 

for an exclusive set of chemical analyses.

The Eastern Laboratory, in Athens, GA, 

analyzes chemical, microbiological, pathological, 

and outbreak samples. The Outbreaks Section 

of the Eastern Laboratory (OSEL) processes 

outbreak samples and performs pulse field gel 

electrophoresis (PFGE). In addition, OSEL performs 

other molecular techniques, such as Multiple Loci 

Variable Number Tandem Repeat (MLV-VNTR) 

analyses on E. coli and molecular serology on 

Salmonella sp. isolates. 

The Midwestern Laboratory, in St. Louis, MO, 

analyzes chemical and microbiological samples.

The Western Laboratory, in Alameda, CA, 

analyzes chemical and microbiological samples, 

as well as all bacteriological analyses of canned 

and vacuum-packed regulated products. In 

addition, the chemical section of the laboratory

OPH

S

Organiza

tion

2
3

analyzes samples from the National Residue 

Program for pesticides, beta-agonist growth 

promoters, and various anti-microbial drugs. 

The Laboratory Quality Assurance Division 

(LQAD) administers chemical, microbiological, 

and veterinary pathological quality assurance 

and oversees laboratory alignment with 

ISO-17025 accreditation. LQAD manages the 

laboratory programs for non-Federal analytical 

laboratories, including the Accredited Laboratory 

Program (ALP), Pasteurized Egg Product 

Recognized Laboratory Program (PEPRLab), and 

Trichinella Approved Laboratory Program (TALP). 

The Food Emergency Response Network 

(FERN) coordinates FSIS’ laboratory emergency 

response and recovery activities with other 

Federal, State, and local laboratories. FERN assists 

in emergencies associated with food products, as 

well as national or regional emergencies involving 

the food infrastructure. 

Figure 1. Distribution of OPHS 

professional and educational 

experience

The dynamic, educated OPHS staff 

supports the Agency’s mission to 

ensure the safety of meat, poultry, 

and egg products.

*

Post-Bachelor work indicates higherlevel course work beyond the Bachelor's 

degree, but no additional higher degree. 

**Professional program signifies the completion of academic requirements 

for selected professions based on 

programs requiring at least 2 academic years of previous college work and at least 6 academic years of college work. 

***Post-Master's work includes higher-level course work beyond the Master's degree, but no additional higher degree. 

l

Doctoral degree includes Doctor of Education, Doctor of Juridical Science, Doctor of Public Health, and the Ph.D. 

(or equivalent) in any field. 

llPost-Doctoral indicates higher-level course work beyond the Doctoral degree, but no additional higher degree. 

OPH

S

Organiza

tion
4

FY 2010 

S

t

a

tis

tic

s

FY2010 Allocation

Overall Labs HQ

Salary and Benefits $32,345,210 $23,093,266 $9,251,944 

Operating $28,116,400 $22,211,800 $5,904,600 

Travel $484,745 $239,744 $245,001 

Percent of FY2010 Allocation

Overall Labs HQ

Salary and Benefits* 53.1% 37.9% 15.2%

Operating 46.1% 36.4% 9.7%

Travel 0.8% 0.4% 0.4%

Total 100.0% 74.7% 25.3%

*

This figure includes spot awards, extra effort awards, and 

Public Heath Human Resources System (PHHRS) bonuses.

Figure 2. OPHS FY2010 budget allocation

OPHS distributed the FY2010 allocation for personnel, travel, 

and operations at headquarters (HQ) and FSLs.
5

Figure 3. FSIS FSL sample analyses 

The tables below show the number of samples analyzed at each laboratory by analysis type for each 

quarter of FY2010. Eastern Laboratory data is presented in the top table, Midwestern Laboratory data 

is presented in the middle table, and Western Laboratory data is presented in the bottom table. Directed 

samples were not scheduled for January 2010. As a result, second quarter residue chemistry numbers 

are low. 

Activity Q1 Q2 Q1 Q2 Total Q1 Q2 Q31 Q42 Total

Food Chemistry 56 149 187 131 523 183 598 750 493 2,024 

Food Microbiology3 4,839 4,024 5,255 4,706 18,824 18,743 14,468 19,969 17,695 70,875 

HACCP Salmonella 1,684 2,800 3,598 2,694 10,776 1,795 3,082 3,850 2,910 11,637 

Outbreak 112 116 132 120 480 212 151 216 193 772 

Residue Chemistry 3,467 2,470 2,287 2,741 10,965 22,633 17,317 16,283 18,831 75,064 

Residue Antibiotics 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Pathology4 1,541 1,449 1,505 1,498 5,993 11,824 11,307 12,296 11,804 47,231 

Total 11,699 11,008 12,964 11,890 47,561 55,390 46,923 53,364 51,926 207,603 

 

Activity Q1 Q2 Q31 Q42 Total Q1 Q2 Q31 Q42 Total

Food Chemistry 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Food Microbiology3 4,074 3,891 4,581 4,182 16,728 15,057 13,309 15,804 14,721 58,891 

HACCP Salmonella 1,797 2,710 3,652 2,720 10,879 1,877 2,801 3,835 2,829 11,342 

Residue Chemistry 485 255 459 400 1,599 545 315 459 448 1,767 

Residue Antibiotics 3,981 3,601 3,765 3,782 15,129 75,009 71,184 66,942 71,102 284,237 

Pathology4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Total 10,337 10,457 12,457 11,084 44,335 92,488 87,609 87,040 89,100 356,237 

 

Activity Q1 Q2 Q31 Q42 Total Q1 Q2 Q31 Q42 Total

Food Chemistry 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Food Microbiology3 4,283 3,558 4,317 4,052 16,210 12,609 12,674 15,973 13,777 55,033 

HACCP Salmonella 1,517 2,452 3,398 2,456 9,823 1,665 2,587 3,602 2,628 10,482 

Residue Chemistry 1,543 824 1,443 1,270 5,080 26,144 17,360 30,981 25,184 99,669 

Residue Antibiotics 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Pathology4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Total 7,343 6,834 9,158 7,778 31,113 40,418 32,621 50,556 41,589 165,184 

Lab Totals 29,379 28,299 34,579 30,752 123,009 188,296 167,153 190,960 182,615 729,024 

1

Third quarter numbers derived by taking the average of 63 days of actual numbers × 78 days for the quarter.

2

Fourth quarter numbers are derived by taking the average of the first three quarters.

3

Includes canned foods

4

Includes extraneous materials

FY 2010 

S

t

a

tis

tic

s
Figure 4. Investigations and watches in FY2010

In FY2010, AED conducted 24 investigations and 48 watches for meat, poultry, and egg products.

6

Investigations/ Illnesses Hospital- HUS† Cases Deaths

Watches izations

E. coli Investigations 10 138 45 8 3

L. monocytogenes

Investigations 2 14 13 0 6

Salmonella

Investigations 11 661 79 0 2

Clostridium perfringes 

Investigations 1 42 1 0 0

E. coli Watches* 17 217 61 13 3

L. monocytogenes

Watches* 7 36 19 — 12

Salmonella Watches* 24 2,744 85 — 2

†

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is a disorder resulting from an infection in the digestive 

system that produces toxic substances, which destroys red blood cells and causes kidney injury.

*

A watch monitors unlinked clusters of illnesses associated with FSIS-regulated products.

Figure 5. Consumer Complaints Monitoring System (CCMS) Investigations in FY2010

AED monitors the CCMS and coordinates investigations, commonly focused on foreign objects, 

illnesses, and off-characteristics in meat, poultry, and egg products. The pie chart provides an 

overview of the percent of each type of investigation conducted by the group in FY2010. 

48%

28%

1%

2%

1%

1%

1%

12%

7%

-

Foreign Object

Illness

Allergic Reaction

Injury

Economic Adulteration

Mislabeling/Misleading

O Odor/Taste/Appearance

Other (Non-specic)

FY 2010 

S

t

a

tis

tic

s
7

Figure 6. Risk Assessments Developed, Revised, and Updated in FY2010

Developing a quantitative risk assessment is a multistep, iterative process that requires updates with 

current information, data, and revisions based on multiple peer reviews provided by both internal and 

external reviewers (e.g., scientists, USDA, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), other Federal 

agencies). Many FSIS risk assessments are developed to inform major policies and require peer review 

by the USDA Office of Risk Assessment and Cost-Benefit Analysis (Public Law 103-354, 1994 

Reorganization for Agriculture) and the White House OMB (Executive Order 12866). 

FY 2010 

S

t

a

tis

tic

s
8

OPHS 2010 Accomplishments

OPHS Goal 2.1 

Integrate FERN activities into FSIS’ organizational 

planning mission execution.

Validating a method to detect melamine 

A harmful chemical additive led to new 

analytical methods, which offer a template 

for future response.

Melamine is an industrial chemical used in 

the manufacture of plastic and flame-retardant 

products. Relatively non-toxic to humans and 

animals, its use as a food adulterant boosts the 

nitrogen content of food products, mimicking 

protein, the usual and more costly source of 

nitrogen. The detection of melamine in pet 

products in 2007 and the subsequent health 

effects in children exposed to melamineadulterated milk in China 1 year later heightened 

the need to develop a method to detect this 

chemical. Although an unacceptable food 

additive, scientists were at first unable to explain 

the rash of illnesses in U.S. pets and Chinese 

infants associated with melamine. Subsequent 

studies showed that cyanuric acid in the presence 

of melamine forms a complex, which is insoluble 

in water. The cyanuric acid-melamine complex 

formed crystals in the kidneys of exposed 

individuals, resulting in kidney failure and death. 

The economic incentive to spike a product 

with melamine to boost nitrogen levels is a 

continued concern. In response to this crisis, 

FERN developed a Liquid Chromatography 

Tandem Mass Spectroscopy (LC-MS-MS) 

technique to test ground beef and RTE meat 

products for the presence of melamine. 

This method is available at the three FSLs for 

future surveillance work, as well as other public 

and private laboratories through the FSIS 

Chemistry Laboratory Guidebook Web site. 

In addition, this laboratory method provides 

a template to develop future rapid response 

methods to address chemical or biological 

adulterants.

Detecting industrial dyes in aquaculture 

products

A baseline study provides data on antifungal 

agent in catfish.

The aquaculture industry previously applied 

the industrial dyes malachite green and crystal 

violet for their antifungal properties. This practice 

stopped when the industry learned the dyes had 

carcinogenic properties. The catfish inspection 

program initiated a large baseline study to

determine the residual amount of antibiotics 

and key environmental contaminants (described 

here as malachite green and crystal violet) in 

both domestic and imported catfish. 

FERN validated two methods to detect these 

dyes rapidly and economically. The method 

consists of an effective screening technique 

based on ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent 

assay) technology that uses a series of antibody 

labeling schemes to detect the sum of both dyes 

and their metabolites in the catfish down to one 

part per billion. Catfish samples that test positive 

for one of the dyes are sent for confirmation 

testing using an LC-MS-MS technique developed 

by ARS. This method is limited to aquaculture, the 

only food commodity that uses the dyes as an 

antifungal agent. 

Accom

plis

hmen

t

s
9

OPHS Goal 2.2 

Use Risk Assessment/Hazard Assessment to 

support emergency management of possible 

public health incidents involving meat, poultry, 

and egg products.

OPHS issues a recall on Brazilian product

OPHS import re-inspection stops shipment 

of corned beef in violation of ivermectin. 

In May 2010, FSIS intercepted shipments of 

cooked corned beef during import reinspection 

of products from Brazil. The corned beef 

contained residue of ivermectin, a drug that kills 

parasites in cattle. Most of the product was held, 

but a portion was released before the laboratory 

results were confirmed. The laboratory results, 

validated in a corned beef matrix, indicated 

that the drug levels exceeded a level of health 

concern. OPHS employees met with sister 

agencies to discuss the situation. Ultimately, the 

Secretary of Agriculture issued a Class II recall, 

indicating that there was a remote probability 

of adverse health consequences from the 

consumption of the product. The recall totalled 

20 million pounds of product. 

Investigating life-threatening food allergens

After careful review, OPHS recalled a 

product for undeclared egg proteins.

OPHS investigates and recalls FSIS-regulated 

food products that may contain undeclared 

allergens. A food allergy is a term applied to a 

group of disorders characterized by abnormal 

or exaggerated immunologic responses to a 

specific food protein that result in a variety of 

symptoms. The symptoms of a reaction can 

range from a mild rash to a severe anaphylaxic 

response that could result in death. 

The Food Labeling and Consumer Protection 

Act identifies egg as 1 of the 8 allergens that 

cause 90 percent of allergic responses to food. 

On December 30, 2010, an Alabama 

establishment recalled approximately 180,000 

pounds of breaded chicken wings due to the 

undeclared presence of egg. The recalled product 

included 20-pound boxes of uncooked hot and 

spicy breaded chicken wings, drummettes, and 

wing portions, as well as 10-pound boxes of 

uncooked hot and spicy breaded chicken wings. 

The recalled product contained no published 

information to indicate that the threshold of 

egg protein would elicit an allergic reaction in 

sensitive individuals. OPHS assessed the hazard 

as serious and recommended the initiation of 

a Class I recall, which signified that the product 

contains an ingredient that may cause serious 

adverse health consequences or death. The 

recall committee accepted the recommendation 

and the company concurred. 

OPHS Goal 3.1 

Elevate and solidify OPHS’ role in policy 

development and execution.

Revising pathogen performance standards 

in poultry

OPHS focuses standards to reduce 2 persistent 

pathogens in young chicken and turkeys.

Salmonella and Campylobacter are the leading 

microbial pathogens that cause foodborne 

illness. The 1996 Hazard Analysis and Critical 

Control Point (HACCP) Final Rule established 

performance standards to reduce Salmonella

on meat and poultry products and, thus, reduce 

the incidence of foodborne illness associated 

with the consumption of these products. Since 

implementing this standard, the incidence of 

this pathogen in beef and pork has decreased; 

however, the incidence in poultry has continued 

to increase, especially since 2005. The original 

Salmonella performance standard identified 

Accom

plis

hmen

t

s
10

an establishment out of compliance (i.e., 

“failed a set”) if more than 12 of 51 samples 

tested positive. Campylobacter and Salmonella

data from the Young Chicken and Young Turkey 

baseline surveys informed the new rule. An 

establishment is now out of compliance if more 

than 5 of 51 samples test positive for Salmonella. 

The new guidance aims to decrease the incidence 

of these pathogens at the establishment and 

reduce exposure to the consumer. Two years after 

the implementation of the revised performance 

standards, OPHS analysts estimate a reduction 

in illness attributed to Campylobacter by 39,000 

and Salmonella by 26,000. 

OPHS baseline studies provide details 

on pathogen loads

OPHS initiates baseline studies for market 

hog carcasses and chicken parts.

OPHS initiated the Nationwide Market Hog 

Baseline Data Collection program in August 

2010, which collected data from approximately 

180 Federal establishments throughout the 

country. FSL staff analyzed carcass sponge 

samples for Salmonella, generic E. coli, 

Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, and aerobic 

plate counts. This baseline provides national 

prevalence data of these bacteria for market 

hogs, which was last updated in 1997. 

OPHS initiated the Nationwide Raw Chicken 

Parts Baseline Survey (RCPBS) in March 2010, 

targeting Federal establishments processing 

raw chicken parts intended for U.S. retail. This 

baseline will examine chicken breasts, legs, 

wings, and internal organs. The samples will 

be analyzed for the presence and levels of 

Salmonella, Campylobacter, generic E. coli, 

Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, and aerobic 

plate counts. These baseline studies provide 

critical data for the future development of risk 

assessment, performance standards, and 

the exploration of regulatory policy options. 

L. monocytogenes risk assessment informs 

policy

Joint study conducts the first scientific overview 

of L. monocytogenes in the retail environment.

L. monocytogenes is the bacterium responsible 

for listeriosis, one of the most virulent foodborne 

illnesses. Scientists attribute more than 2,500 

illnesses in the United States to this pathogen 

every year, with as many as 20 percent of 

cases resulting in death. A recent article in the 

Journal of Food Protection linked the majority 

of deli-related listeriosis cases to deli-meats 

prepared at retail. In collaboration with the 

FDA, FSIS initiated the development of the 

first quantitative risk assessment model to 

evaluate practices at retail that contribute to 

the cross-contamination of deli meats, cheeses, 

and other RTE foods. The risk assessment model 

serves as a “virtual deli,” designed to evaluate the 

impact of current retail practices on public health. 

This highly interactive project marked a novel way 

to study the transmission of L. monocytogenes

at retail. This achievement involved extensive 

interagency collaboration at the Federal level, 

targeted data collection efforts by academia, and 

stakeholder participation upfront and throughout 

the development of this risk assessment model. 

FSIS will use this model to identify potential 

interventions to reduce or prevent the presence of 

this pathogen in RTE food that is sliced, prepared, 

and/or packaged at retail facilities.

Accom

plis

hmen

t

s
OPHS Goal 3.2 

Optimize laboratory analytical capability and 

capacity.

Laboratory accelerates sample results 

efficiently and economically

OPHS transitions to 325-g samples 

to detect E. coli O157:H7.

OPHS conducted a comparative evaluation of 

two analytical methods for detecting E. coli

O157:H7 in raw beef samples. The reference 

method consisted of five 65-gram subsamples 

for a total sample size of 325-g, which were 

incubated in an enrichment broth at a 1:10 

sample-to-broth ratio. The alternate method 

consisted of a single 325-g portion incubated 

in an enrichment broth at a ratio of 1:4. FSL 

scientists tested each analytical method at the 

lower and upper pathogen limits (e.g., 1 or 5 

CFU per sample). A single-laboratory validation 

determined the point of “fractional recovery” 

(i.e., the lower limit of detection). A multilaboratory verification assessed the overall 

performance of both methods by inoculating 

samples at a level expected to yield 100 percent 

recovery (i.e., upper limit of detection). LQAD 

and the FSL determined that the alternate method 

produced accurate results and offered a suitable 

approach for regulatory sampling programs. 

By transitioning to the alternate method, the FSL 

will save analyst time and laboratory supplies for 

processing samples, with an estimated savings of 

$1 million. 

Enhanced chemical multi-residue method 

increases analytical testing capability

OPHS enhances screening for residues in beef.

Midwestern Laboratory and LQAD successfully 

implemented the first of two multi-residue 

methods to enhance the testing of veterinary 

drugs that are of interest to FSIS. The method 

analyzes for nine unique aminoglycosides 

in bovine tissues and relies on ultrahigh 

performance liquid chromatography-tandem 

mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS-MS) for the 

screening and confirmation of these compounds. 

This method and subsequent multi-residue 

methods provide crucial screens for augmenting 

the goals of the U.S. National Residue Program 

(NRP).

Baseline studies optimized to improve 

efficiency

Software improves baseline study management.

MD incorporated Mind Manager 9 to improve 

tracking, communication, and management of 

baseline studies. Division managers estimate 

that the program shortened the planning phase 

by 3 to 4 months, ensuring baseline studies 

began sooner. The new technology also allowed 

the group to track their spending in real-time. 

Careful consideration of the budget allowed 

the management team to extend deadlines and 

order additional supplies as needed. The team 

applied these efficiencies to the egg baseline and 

saved tens of thousands of dollars, which allowed 

them to better utilize time and funds for sample 

collection and analysis.

OPHS Goal 3.3 

Optimize the efficiency and effectiveness 

of FSIS foodborne illness investigations.

Salmonella Montevideo illness cluster 

linked to peppered Italian-style salami

OPHS links illness to spices added to product 

after the lethality step.

In September 2009, FSIS noted a multistate 

cluster of Salmonella Montevideo infections 

with an indistinguishable PFGE pattern (XbaI 

PFGE pattern JIXX01.0011). The outbreak 

11

Accom

plis

hmen

t

s
included 272 cases in 44 States and the District 

of Columbia from July 1, 2009 to April 14, 

2010; 26 percent (52 of 203) of the patients 

were hospitalized, with no deaths reported. An 

outbreak investigation identified pepper-coated 

Italian-style sausage as the product responsible 

for the illnesses. In particular, the investigation 

identified crushed black and red pepper, added 

to the product after the lethality step, as a 

medium for foodborne pathogen transmission. 

The production company issued the first recall 

on January 23, 2010, which accounted for 

1,263,754 pounds of RTE varieties of Italian-style 

sausage products. An expansion of the recall 

occurred on February 4, 2010, to include an 

additional 24,000 pounds of product. The final 

expansion of the recall occurred on February 16, 

2010, to include an additional 115,000 pounds 

of product. After the 2010 pepper-coated salami 

outbreak investigation, FSIS issued a notice to 

all inspection program personnel (IPP) regarding 

the addition of ingredients after final processing 

steps. FSIS inspectors now examine post-lethality 

control steps to ensure the process complies with 

standards to ensure food safety. 

safety into the process. In a Journal of Food 

Protection article, OPHS scientists describe a 

risk assessment model that works backwards 

from the end goal, the consumer. The scientists 

applied appropriate levels of protection (ALOP)—

phytosanitary measures to protect human 

health—to develop safety in the food chain. 

To study this approach, the scientists focused 

on one pathogen, Clostridium perfringens, in 

one RTE product, hotdogs. C. perfringens forms 

hardy spores during adverse conditions, like high 

cooking temperatures. During sporulation, some 

types of this pathogen produce a toxin that may 

induce diarrhea in a person who consumed the 

contaminated food. The risk assessment model 

allows scientists and policymakers to select 

the most practical and efficient performance 

objective based on national public health goals. 

These public health requirements would not only 

apply to food produced in the United States, 

but imports as well. Each country develops its 

standards of safety. This objective approach can 

ease the variation in setting equivalence between 

countries’ safety standards, thereby easing trade 

barriers and improving safety. 

OPHS Goal 3.4 

Protect public health by utilizing risk analyses 

to assign resources appropriately.

Linking public health to food safety measures

Using representative data, the Agency can use the 

model to link public health outcomes to food safety 

measures and objectives. 

OPHS creates risk assessment models to assess 

food safety along the farm-to-table continuum. 

Consider a model as a straight line with the 

farm on one end and the consumer on the 

other. The models aim to insert performance 

objectives linked to public health that build 

OPHS Goal 3.5 

Enhance the Agency’s ability to implement riskbased inspection.

Characterizing L. monocytogenes in retail 

establishments

Two studies examine the location and primary 

modes of L. monocytogenes movement in the 

retail environment.

OPHS contracted with two universities to 

characterize L. monocytogenes at retail. Cornell 

University, in Ithaca, NY, conducted a survey 

of L. monocytogenes contamination in the retail 

grocery store environment. The research group 

12

Accom

plis

hmen

t

s
collected product samples to determine the 

prevalence, level, and sub-type of this pathogen 

in the retail setting. The group mapped the 

location of the pathogen, returning to stores 

on multiple occasions to determine if trends 

exist. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State 

University, in Blacksburg, VA, designed a “mock 

deli” to track pathogen transmission within the 

retail grocery store environment. Both studies 

provided specific data needed to evaluate how 

conditions, behaviors, and practices contribute 

to the transmission of L. monocytogenes in FSISand FDA-regulated products at retail. OPHS also 

established an interagency agreement with the 

CDC to collect data on grocery store employee 

sanitary practices and behaviors when handling 

and preparing RTE foods. In addition, the 

FSIS-FDA Interagency Retail L. monocytogenes

Risk Assessment team obtained retail information 

from stakeholder groups, including the 

Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO), 

American Meat Institute (AMI), Food Marketing 

Institute (FMI), Center for Science in the Public 

Interest (CSPI), and academic colleagues.

Revamping the National Residue Program

 to improve food safety

Agencies collaborating on the NRP define roles 

and responsibilities

FSIS collaborated with the FDA and EPA to 

develop a risk-based sampling program to 

identify chemical compounds, including 

veterinary drugs, of concern in meat, poultry, 

and egg products. This program tests and 

analyzes compounds of concern, reports the 

results to the establishment and the public, 

and identifies regulatory follow-up testing for 

chemicals reported at violative levels. In 2010, 

FSIS, FDA, and EPA set up an interagency, 

senior-level working group to resolve longstanding issues and make the program more 

relevant in ensuring the safety of the Nation’s 

food supply. FSIS, along with FDA and EPA, 

anticipates that the work of this group will help 

define the future direction 

of the NRP.

OPHS supports science-based inspection 

activities

OPHS conducts scientific reviews to support Food 

Safety Assessments and special investigations.

OPHS provided expert technical support to 

the Office of Field Operations (OFO), including 

analysis of industry food safety programs, 

microbiological testing methods, and data. 

Some requests were high profile investigations, 

including the participation in an Incident 

Investigation Team (IIT), which assessed E. coli

O157:H7 contamination in a beef slaughter 

and fabrication establishment. OPHS provided 

technical expertise to the Office of Policy and 

Program Development (OPPD), responding to 

numerous AskFSIS requests, including numerous 

Enforcement Investigation and Analysis Officer 

(EIAO) requests for assistance in assessing 

industry microbiological testing methods. There 

were a number of additional ad hoc queries 

from multiple sources, including rapid test 

manufacturers, the food industry, academia, and 

foreign countries. To support FSIS inspection 

personnel, OPHS conducted predictive microbial 

modeling to assess process and chilling 

deviations.

13

Accom

plis

hmen

t

s
OPHS Goal 3.6 

Enhance capability to measure foodborne illness 

attribution.

Baseline studies inform Campylobacter 

method

Campylobacter added to inspection of 

FSIS-regulated products.

The CDC identified Campylobacter as the 

leading foodborne pathogen responsible for 

bacterial-induced diarrhea, causing an estimated 

845,000-foodborne illnesses annually. As such, 

FSIS proposed a performance standard to 

determine if in-plant HACCP interventions are 

effective at reducing the level of this pathogen 

on poultry carcasses. The Agency used data 

from the young chicken baseline (2007 to 2008) 

and young turkey baseline (2008 to 2009) to 

assess the presence and levels of Campylobacter

in these commodities. OPHS developed the 

method based on guidance from the National 

Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria 

for Foods (NACMCF). OPHS laboratories refined 

and validated the baseline testing method by 

incorporating Campylobacter testing into existing 

Salmonella testing programs. OPHS anticipates 

reallocating the savings in sample collection and 

transportation to other testing programs. With 

this method and testing program, FSIS aims to 

lower the level of Campylobacter on regulated 

products to ensure public health.

Interagency collaboration progresses 

on issues of food safety

Interagency Foodborne Illness Attribution 

hits the ground running to address food safety.

In February 2010, FSIS leadership met with 

their counterparts at the CDC and FDA in 

Shepherdstown, WV, to develop an approach 

for interagency collaborations on high-priority 

analytical projects. The leadership team agreed 

to formalize the collaborations and identified 

analytical projects that attributed human illness 

to specific foods as an initial focus. As the year 

progressed, the tri-agency collaborators drafted 

a charter, identified a steering committee, and 

named the group the “Interagency Food Safety 

Analytics Collaboration” (IFSAC). The steering 

committee members include David Goldman 

and Christopher Alvares (FSIS), Christopher 

Braden and Patricia Griffin (CDC), and Jeff Farrar 

and Debra Street (FDA). At the end of FY2010, 

the IFSAC steering committee was poised to 

identify the initial high-priority foodborne illness 

attribution analytical projects for the next fiscal 

year. 

OPHS Goal 5.1 

Build an excellent scientific workforce in 

support of FSIS public health mission.

OPHS builds a dynamic workforce 

New talent continues OPHS efforts to ensure 

the safety of the nation’s food supply.

OPHS welcomed Dr. Vivian Chen as its Deputy 

Assistant Administrator. Dr. Chen brings 25 years 

of talent, expertise, and experience to the Agency, 

which includes time as a Commissioned Corp 

Officer in the U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services (HHS). In addition, she held 

an appointment as the Chief Professional Officer 

for Health Services, and Health Operations 

Director at the City of Milwaukee Health 

Department. According to Chen, “My work as 

the operations director in the Milwaukee Health 

Department immersed me in food safety issues. 

It’s a thrill to be at OPHS working on food safety 

from the national policy perspective and to work 

for Dr. Goldman and USDA on this vital mission.”

The RAD welcomed a former summer intern 

as a new risk analyst, who brings certifications 

14

Accom

plis

hmen

t

s
in quantitative foods safety risk assessment 

modeling to OPHS. In addition, the division 

has benefitted from two American Association 

for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) fellows, 

who bring their unique skills and expertise to 

conduct rapid risk assessment for chemical and 

microbial hazards. One fellow worked on the FSIS 

catfish risk assessment, publishing papers during 

her fellowship. The second fellow worked on 

microbial risk assessment projects, in particular, 

a non-O157 E. coli risk profile. The division hired 

a new Branch Chief with skills in veterinary science 

and food safety policies related to residues. The 

division also hired a food toxicologist with strong 

risk assessment modeling skills. Finally, RAD 

welcomed summer interns with engineering 

skills who assisted with R-program L. 

monocytogenes risk assessment models for 

young chickens.

AED hired a senior epidemiologist, who worked 

closely with CDC. The division also expanded 

to include an epidemiologist, who analyzed 

and evaluated data in the Consumer Complaint 

Monitoring System related to meat, poultry, egg, 

and catfish products. Finally, AED welcomed a 

summer intern, who assisted with Public Health 

Veterinarians at a cattle slaughterhouse in Long 

Prairie, MN. 

MD hired a biological statistician to serve as 

a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative 

(COTR) for the Agency’s microbiological baseline 

work. In addition, MD hired a Staff Officer/

Biological Scientist to provide support to diverse 

divisional activities and for special projects on 

behalf of the Director. 

The FSL welcomed 11 full-time staff. The 

new employees brought their skills and talents 

in biotechnology, microbiology, and chemistry 

to identify foodborne pathogens and chemical 

residues to continue the OPHS mission of 

ensuring that the Nation’s food supply is safe. 

In addition, the LQAD welcomed a new Chemistry 

Branch Chief, who has enhanced all aspects 

of the residue and food chemistry programs for 

FSIS. The FSL also benefited from the skills of 

laboratory support and laboratory technicians. 

Finally, the FSL welcomed summer interns, who 

developed valuable scientific skills during summer 

research projects. 

OPHS Goal 5.2 

Build and maintain laboratory facilities 

that are green and state-of-the-art

Going green saves energy and reduces 

waste at the Eastern Laboratory.

Eastern Laboratory incorporates energy efficient 

facilities and dynamic recycling programs.

The Eastern Laboratory constructed a new sample 

receipt building that integrated environmentally 

friendly practices. The building uses low-volume 

flush toilets, double-paned tinted windows, 

low-wattage T8 bulbs, additional insulation, 

energy-efficient heat pumps, hot water heaters, 

and refrigerators. In addition, the lab hired a 

“green company” to install computer and phone 

lines for the new building. Of the 85 freezers 

in the new building and laboratory, only 5 use 

R12 coolant (FreonTM). The laboratory continues 

to practice good environmental management 

protocols consisting of a dynamic recycling 

program (i.e., plastics, paper, aluminum, 

cardboard, glass, batteries, printer cartridges, 

computer equipment, polystyrene, plastic 

grocery bags, bound books, magazines, and 

furniture). The laboratory recycled and replaced 

Mercury containing ballasts from the light fixtures 

with electronic ballasts. The laboratory is working 

toward redesigning chemistry methods to reduce 

or eliminate solvent from analytical methods. 

This work earned the Eastern Laboratory and 

ARS the “Recycler of the Year” award from the 

local county recycling division. In addition, 

15

Accom

plis

hmen

t

s
these efforts comply with the Greening the 

Government through Leadership in Environmental 

Management, Executive Order 13148. 

OPHS Goal 5.3 

Build a robust, innovative budget, financial 

management, and performance integration 

infrastructure focused on accountability and 

internal control.

FY2010 budget managed within one-tenth 

of 1 percent

RPMS staff walks a thin line to use monies 

efficiently and effectively. 

No one enjoys creating a family budget, but 

imagine maintaining a budget with more than 

300 employees. The RPMS staff managed the 

$60.6 million OPHS budget within one-tenth of 

1 percent. RPMS manages the funds that maintain 

headquarters and laboratory system divisions in 

Georgia, Missouri, and California, as well as field 

offices in Colorado, Minnesota, and Nebraska. 

In addition to funding OPHS employees, these 

funds resource the sample collection and 

analysis of baseline studies and food surveillance 

programs, like FoodNet and OutbreakNet. The 

staff negotiated and contributed to interagency 

collaborations with ARS, CDC, EPA, and FDA. 

The RPMS staff navigates these different tasks by 

meeting with division directors and the Executive 

Associate for Laboratory Services throughout the 

fiscal year to ensure that monies are allocated to 

address the Agency’s evolving priorities. 

OPHS improves process efficiencies 

The Resource and Program Management Services 

staff processed more than 300 personnel actions 

in FY2010.

Two RPMS staff members managed the 

paperwork for a variety of personnel actions 

for headquarters staff. These actions included 

paperwork to coordinate, advertise, and bring 

19 new hires into the Agency, as well as process 

other personnel actions, such as reassignments, 

transfers, resignations, promotions, and spot 

awards. The staff accomplished this goal by 

improving efficiencies for each action. In the 

past, staff faxed or mailed personnel actions 

to the Human Resources Office (HRO) in 

Minneapolis, MN, according to Agency procedure. 

Many actions were delayed due to files that were 

not received or misplaced. Staff now scan and 

email all personnel actions to HRO to reduce the 

processing time, confirm receipt of actions, and 

ensure the protection of personal information. 

In addition, RPMS staff gained access to the HRO 

database to retrieve reports (previously provided 

by HR) detailing the status of personnel actions, 

employee count, and roster data. Timely access 

to these data assists senior management during 

budget and staffing discussions.

OPHS Goal 6.1 

Improve FSIS’ regulatory effectiveness through 

better communication and collaboration.

Communicating the safety of U.S. pork 

A collaborative effort ensures the safety of the 

Nation’s pork supply to domestic and international 

partners.

H1N1 influenza was originally, but falsely, 

called “swine flu” due to similarities with the 

virus that affects pigs in North America. This 

misnomer raised questions among agricultural 

producers about the virus as an emerging animal 

health issue that could affect trade. To retain 

consumer confidence, the Federal government 

developed a plan to communicate the safety 

of U.S. pork. OPHS participated in the H1N1 

meetings that were composed of public relations 

16

Accom

plis

hmen

t

s
experts, industry representatives, government 

representatives, and academia. The participants 

identified the communication challenges 

surrounding the H1N1 issue and ways to address 

these challenges. OPHS worked with scientists 

to confirm that H1N1 had never been isolated 

from swine muscle tissue. OPHS and the H1N1 

partners reiterated the fact that pork is safe to 

eat. The impact of this messaging boosted global 

consumer confidence in the safety of U.S. pork 

products. The Secretary of Agriculture recognized 

these efforts with an Honor Award.

OPHS Goal 6.2 

Institutionalize OPHS’ role in development 

of Agency public communications.

Improving the food safety public health 

information system

Three OPHS staff epidemiologists evaluated 

the Consumer Complaint Monitoring System. 

Public health surveillance systems occur at the 

local, State, and Federal level to collect, assess, 

interpret, and disseminate information on 

foodborne illness. These surveillance systems 

issue warnings and notifications, as well as 

guide public policy and strategies to improve 

early interventions. In 2001, USDA-FSIS 

established the Consumer Complaint Monitoring 

System (CCMS) program to centralize the 

monitoring, management, and coordination 

of food-related investigations of FSIS-regulated 

products. During FY2010, the CCMS team 

evaluated the program to improve customer 

service for system users and consumers. The 

survey identified opportunities for improvement 

of business workflow and technical problems 

that spanned communication, training, outreach, 

investigation process, reports and analyses, 

and interconnected applications. 

System improvements are on-going and the 

resulting recommendations aim to enhance the 

investigation and response process, guide the 

allocation of Agency resources, and support 

policy changes to limit physical, chemical, and 

biological foodborne hazards. In FY2010, the 

group developed talking points and closing 

statements to aide operators and investigators 

during consumer interviews. The group continues 

to update reporting features to develop detailed, 

customized reports offering valuable statistics 

to aide investigations and trend analyses. 

OPHS risk models available to a wider 

community

Using a freeware program, OPHS risk models 

are available to everyone.

RAD creates computer models to evaluate 

how different interventions, performance 

standards, inspection activities, and technologies 

can reduce the public health risk associated 

with FSIS-regulated products. The division 

acknowledged the importance of sharing these 

models with stakeholders, academics, and others. 

Traditionally, RAD used commercial software 

packages to develop risk assessment models, 

but the software was expensive to purchase 

and maintain, effectively limiting open access 

to the broader community. In addition, the 

commercial software resulted in high-operating 

costs for the division. To remedy this situation, 

the division made a concerted effort to develop 

computer models using a well-known freeware 

program, commonly used by risk analysts and 

engineers, known as “R.” R-software is available 

to stakeholders, who can readily access and 

apply it to understand FSIS risk assessment 

models. RAD used this platform to develop 

the 2010 Catfish Risk Assessment, which 

evaluated Salmonella interventions. This model 

is available to stakeholder groups, improving 

17

Accom

plis

hmen

t

s
the transparency of this risk assessment for 

rulemaking. RAD anticipates that the greater 

accessibility of the risk assessment models 

will expand their impact with stakeholders, 

academics, and other Federal agencies to 

reduce illness and improve public health.

OPHS Impacts

Reducing Listeria monocytogenes, 

an evolving story

OPHS risk assessments are critical to establishing 

policies to reduce L. monocytogenes in the Nation’s 

food supply.

CDC estimates that L. monocytogenes

is responsible for 1,600 illnesses, 1,500 

hospitalizations, and 260 deaths annually 

(Scallan et al., 2011) . Proper cooking techniques 

eliminate this pathogen in RTE food products, 

such as cheese, deli meats, smoked fish, hot 

dogs, and deli salads, but it survives refrigeration 

temperatures, contaminating other products 

in the retail environment. 

To address this important issue, RAD 

conducted a series of risk assessments starting 

in the late 1990s. The first L. monocytogenes risk 

assessment, conducted in collaboration with FDA, 

identified deli meats as the food product posing 

the greatest risk for listeriosis in the United 

States. The model results surprised stakeholders 

because there had been no large-scale outbreaks 

of listeriosis associated with deli meats. The 

following year, the United States experienced a 

massive foodborne outbreak of listeriosis. After 

an investigation, they determined deli meat was 

the culprit. A few months after this outbreak, 

FSIS developed another risk assessment that 

shifted FSIS policy focus from the sampling 

of food preparation areas in processing 

establishments to the adoption of control 

measures incorporating the benefits of both 

reformulating products with antimicrobial 

agents and using post-lethality interventions to 

control L. monocytogenes in RTE foods. The risk 

assessment predicted that these measures would 

save 120 lives per year. These findings led to the 

interim final Listeria Rule, published in 2003 that 

encouraged industry to adopt more stringent 

control measures to prevent L. monocytogenes

contamination and transmission. 

In 2005, RAD analysts integrated components of these L. monocytogenes risk assessments 

to develop a statistical algorithm to allocate 

FSIS-inspection resources based on the 

industry adopting L. monocytogenes processing 

control measures deemed effective from 

prior risk assessments. Since that time, FSIS 

testing programs have shown a decline of L. 

monocytogenes in RTE meat and poultry products. 

The industry has heralded the adoption of these 

controls as a success.

Although the prevalence of L. monocytogenes

in RTE meat and poultry products, as measured 

by FSIS’ HACCP verification testing, has declined, 

human illnesses from listeriosis have plateaued in 

recent years. This outcome suggests that another 

source of the pathogen continues to contaminate 

food products and sicken consumers. In 2010, 

FSIS published another L. monocytogenes risk 

assessment, which associates approximately 

83% of listeriosis cases to deli meats sliced 

and packaged at retail. As a follow-up to this 

finding, FSIS collaborated with FDA to begin 

its fourth L. monocytogenes risk assessment to 

understand how the organism contaminates 

foods in delicatessens and determine the 

most effective interventions for preventing the 

spread and contamination in RTE foods. FSIS 

has contracted with two universities to identify 

modes of transmission, areas of harborage, and 

specific sub-types of L. monocytogenes in the 

retail environment. OPHS also continues to work 

with their Federal partners, industry, and other 

18

OPH

S

I

m

p

act

s
19

stakeholder groups to encourage collaboration 

among experts and form partnerships. With 

additional information, the partnerships can 

refine the current risk assessment to guide 

policies and protect public health.

OPHS Committees

National Advisory Committee on 

Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) 

provides impartial, scientific advice to Federal 

food safety agencies to develop an integrated 

national approach to the food safety of domestic, 

imported, and exported food along the 

farm-to-table continuum. USDA has deemed 

the Committee as an important source of 

scientific advice for U.S. food safety programs 

and has renewed the NACMCF charter biennially 

since 1988. The Committee reports to the 

Secretary of Agriculture and to the Secretary 

of Health and Human Services. NACMCF 

provides FSIS with the highest level of scientific 

expertise applied to its microbiological food 

safety initiatives, fortifying the scientific input to 

FSIS programs. NACMCF is managed through an 

interagency food safety partnership between the 

USDA-FSIS, HHS’ CDC and FDA, the Department 

of Commerce’s (DoC) National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), and the Department of Defense’s 

(DoD) Veterinary Services Activity (VSA). In 2010, 

the Secretary of Agriculture re-established the 

NACMCF charter and appointed 18 qualified 

scientists to serve on the Committee for a 

2-year term. 

During FY2010, NACMCF published several 

articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, 

including:

Determination of the Most Appropriate Technologies 

for the Food Safety and Inspection Service to Adopt 

in Performing Routine and Baseline Microbiological 

Analyses, which updates FSIS on pathogen detection 

methodology. 

Parameters for Inoculated Pack/Challenge Study 

Protocols, which provides guidance to regulatory 

agencies and industry on the design of studies to 

assess the time/temperature control for food safety 

for various food products. 

Assessment of Food as a Source of Exposure to 

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis 

(MAP), which reviews the exposure of humans to MAP 

through foods, as well as the detection and control 

methods, and points out related research needs.

The Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) 

serves as an internationally recognized reference 

point for food standards. Codex is a collection of 

standards, codes of practice, guidelines, and other 

recommendations to harmonize food standards. 

This harmonization contributes to the protection 

of consumer health and international trade. FSIS’ 

participation in Codex focuses on groups that 

deal with food hygiene, antimicrobial resistance, 

pesticides, contaminants, and veterinary drugs. 

In FY2010, the Codex Intergovernmental Task 

Force on Antimicrobial Resistance completed a 

timeframe and draft guidelines for assessing and 

managing risks from foodborne antimicrobial 

resistance, with the aim of adopting the approved 

guidelines in FY2011. During this period, the 

Codex Committee on Food Hygiene began 

the revision of Principles for the Establishment 

and Application of Microbiological Criteria 

for Foods to reflect the latest practice and 

knowledge of microbiological criteria, introduce 

new risk management metrics, and provide 

guidance on the use of these metrics in new risk 

management measures. In FY2010, the Codex 

Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in 

Food (CCRVDF) began developing guidance for 

the following items: Performance Characteristics 

for Multi-residue Methods, Revision of the Risk 

Analysis Principles Applied by the CCRVDF and 

Developing Sampling Plans for Residue Control 

for Aquatic Animal Products and Derived Edible 

Products of Animal Origin. 

OPH

S Committees
Referen

ces

Publications

Crouch, E. A., D. Labarre, N. J. Golden, J. R. Kause, and K. L. Dearfield. 2009. Application of quantitative 

microbial risk assessments for estimation of risk management metrics: Clostridium perfringens in 

ready-to-eat and partially cooked meat and poultry products as an example. J. Food Prot. 72(10): 

2151–2161.

Dearfield, K. L., and S. Rigby. 2009. Dealing with Intentional and Unintentional Contaminants in Meat and 

Poultry Products Regulated by the USDA/FSIS, IN: Intentional and Unintentional Contaminants in Food 

and Feed, p. 217–228. In F. Al-Taher, L. Jackson, and J. DeVries (eds.), ACS Symposium Series, vol. 1020. 

American Chemical Society (ACS) Publication, Washington, D.C. 

Endrikat, S., D. Gallagher, R. Pouillot, H. Quesenberry, D. LaBarre, C. Schroeder, and J. Kause. 2010. A 

Comparative Risk Assessment for Listeria monocytogenes in Prepackaged versus Retail-Sliced Deli Meat. 

J. of Food Prot. 73:612-619.

Huwe, J., D. Pagan-Rodriguez, N. Abdelmajid, N. Clinch, D. Gordon, J. Holterman, E. Zaki, M. Lorentzsen, 

and K. Dearfield. 2009. Survey of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, 

and non-ortho-polychlorinated biphenyls in U.S. meat and poultry, 2007-2008: effect of new toxic 

equivalency factors on toxic equivalency levels, patterns, and temporal trends. J. Agric. Food Chem. 

57(23):11,194–11,200.

Kissler, B. W., R. Turner, T. C. Ihry, and S. Seys. 2010. Inter-Agency Public Health Collaboration: Western 

States Escherichia coli O157:H7 Investigation Associated with Ground Beef. Food Protection Trends. 30(9): 

528–531.

Marcus, R., S. Hurd, L. Mank, P. Mshar, Q. Phan, K. Jackson, K. Watarida, Y. Salfinger, S. Kim, M. L. Ishida, 

and B. Kissler. 2009. Chicken Salad as the Source of a Case of Listeria monocytogenes Infection in 

Connecticut. J. Food Prot. 72(12): 2602-2606.

National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods. 2010a. Determination of the Most 

Appropriate Technologies for the Food Safety and Inspection Service to Adopt in Performing Routine 

and Baseline Microbiological Analyses. J. Food Prot. 73(6): 1160–1200. 

National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods. 2010b. Parameters for Inoculated 

Pack/Challenge Study Protocols. J. Food Prot. 73(1): 140–202.

National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods. 2010c. Assessment of Food as a 

Source of Exposure to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). J. Food Prot.73(7): 

1357–1397.

Nowicki, S., E. Brandt, K. Sheline, S. Bidol, J. Collins, M. Toblin-D'Angelo, C. Drenzek, J. Jenkins, E. Harvey, 

J. Marsden, A. Weltman, B. Kissler, W. S. Chen, S. Seys, E. Hyytia-Trees, M. Leeper, M. Viray, E. Cavallaro, 

20
K. Wannemuehler, M. J. Sotir. 2010. Two Multistate Outbreaks of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli

Infections Linked to Beef from a Single Slaughter Facility. MMWR. 59(18): 557–560.

Schreider, J., C. Barrow, N. Birchfield, K. Dearfield, D. Devlin, S. Henry, M. Kramer, S. Schappelle, K. 

Solomon, D. L. Weed, and M. R. Embry. 2010. Enhancing the credibility of decisions based on scientific 

conclusions: transparency is imperative. Toxicol Sci. 116(1):5–7.

Williams, M. S., E. D. Ebel, N. J. Golden, M. E. Berrang, J. S. Bailey, E, Hartnett. 2010. Estimating Removal 

Rates of Bacteria from Poultry Carcasses using Two Whole-Carcass Rinse Volumes. International Journal 

of Food Microbiology. 139:140–146.

Williams, M. S., J. S. Withee, E. D. Ebel, N. E. Bauer, Jr., W. D. Schlosser, W. T. Disney, D. R. Smith, and R. A. 

Moxley. 2010. Determining Relationships Between the Seasonal Occurrence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 

in Live Cattle, Ground Beef, and Humans. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease. 7(10):1,247–1,254.

Presentations

Culpepper, W., T. Ihry, C. Medus, L. A. Ingram, D. Von Stein, S. Stroika, S. Seys, and M. J. Sotir. Multi-state 

outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections associated with consumption of mechanically-tenderized 

steaks in restaurants - United States, 2009. International Association for Food Protection. Anaheim, Ca. 

August 2010.

Ong, K. L., K. Wyman, A. Cronquist, P. Clougher, P. L. White, R. Moody, H. Gould, et al. Demographic, 

clinical, and exposure features of persons infected with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli: 

comparison of major serogroups, FoodNet, 2008-2009. International Conference on Emerging Infectious 

Diseases. Atlanta, Ga. July 11, 2010.

Seys, S. A., B. Kissler, P. White, J. Pringle, W. A. Lanier, P. Neves, E. Harvey, E. Hyytia-Trees, Q. Phan, C. 

Applewhite, A. Robbins, H. Prince, E. Daly, J. Welch, P. Evans, K. Holt, J. Hall, D. Blythe, M. Anand, D. 

Nicholas, E. Berl, M. J. Sotir. Supplementing Traceback Investigations with MLVA: FSIS Foodborne Illness 

Investigations of E. coli O157:H7 and Beef Products. International Conference on Emerging Infectious 

Diseases. Atlanta, Ga. July 11, 2010.

Thedford, S., C. Chen, D. Cole, T. Ihry, and B. Mahon. Outbreaks Associated with Tenderized Beef, United 

States, 1998 – 2008. International Conference of Emerging Infectious Diseases meeting, Atlanta, Ga. July 

2010.

White, P. L., Utilization of USDA Subtyping Data as a Surveillance and Investigation Tool, S. Newport-MDR 

Infections Associated with Ground beef. International Conference on Emerging Infectious Disease. 

Atlanta, Ga. July 11, 2010.

21

Referen

ces