1

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service 

Annual Sampling Summary Report

Fiscal Year 2021

 

United States Department of Agriculture 

Food Safety and Inspection Service 
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Table of Contents

Introduction.............................................................................................................................. 3

Summary of Sampling................................................................................................................. 3

1. Domestic Microbiological Sampling.................................................................................... 3

Raw Beef Products................................................................................................................. 3

Raw Pork Products................................................................................................................. 7

Raw Siluriformes Products....................................................................................................... 8

Raw Poultry Products.............................................................................................................. 8

Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Products...................................................................................................10

2. Domestic Chemical Residue Sampling................................................................................12

National Residue Program......................................................................................................12

a. Surveillance Sampling Plan ...........................................................................................12

b. Inspector-Generated Sampling Plan...............................................................................17

3. Imports Sampling ...........................................................................................................21

a. Import Microbiological Sampling...................................................................................21

b. Import Residue Sampling .............................................................................................23

4. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) Initiatives.....................................................................28

5. National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS)............................................28

6. Other Sampling ..............................................................................................................29

Conclusion...............................................................................................................................30
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Introduction

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspects meat, 

poultry, and egg products to ensure that the food produced is safe, wholesome, and properly labeled. 

Verification activities serve to protect the public from foodborne hazards. A key FSIS inspection 

verification activity is the sampling of product for microbiological contaminants or chemical residues.

Each new fiscal year, FSIS develops its Annual Sampling Plan in alignment with the Agency’s Strategic 

Plan goals, outcomes, objectives and measures, as well as the Agency’s Annual Plan. The Annual 

Sampling Plan identifies changes planned to FSIS sampling programs and describes the Agency’s overall 

strategy for directing its sampling resources. This report, the FY 2021 Annual Sampling Summary 

Report, summarizes the activities and provides an overview of results for the products the Agency 

inspected during fiscal year (FY) 2021 (October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021). 

FSIS routinely evaluates sampling data, posts these data (including establishment-specific datasets)to 

the FSIS website, and shares data through quarterly letters directly with regulated establishments. These 

data include FSIS pathogen verification data, FSIS National Residue Program data, and import data. 

These data are used in a variety of ways, including monitoring the effectiveness of Hazard Analysis and 

Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans, informing Agency policymaking, estimating public health impact, 

and advising strategic and performance planning.

Summary of Sampling

Each sampling project has a unique description name and alphanumeric data system code; both are 

commonly used when discussing sampling projects and are both included in this report. For 

microbiological analyses, FSIS analyzes sampling data and calculates either percent positive or 

prevalence. “Percent positive” is defined as the percentage of samples of a specific FSIS-regulated 

product where a specific pathogen is detected. “Prevalence” is defined asthe estimated proportion, 

nationally, of a specific FSIS-regulated product with a specific pathogen. More information on sampling 

definitions can be found on the FSIS website sampling results data dictionary. 

This report separates sampling resultsinto various sections: domestic microbiological sampling, 

domestic chemical residue sampling as conducted through the National Residue Program (NRP), import 

sampling, and all other sampling. FSIS continues to focus on its mission to protect public health and 

prevent foodborne illness in several different ways. Each section in the report below identifies any new 

sampling activities designed to further food safetyand policy changes.

1. Domestic Microbiological Sampling

Raw Beef Products

FSIS collects raw beef samples from Federally inspected establishments and retail firms to verify that 

products are not adulteratedand that establishments have systems in place to address pathogens. FSIS 

schedules sample collection monthly by randomly selecting establishments from the current population 

that produces eligible products. The frequency of sampling at any establishment is based on the volume 

of eligible products(FSIS Directive 10,010.1). FSIS analyzes raw beef products from establishmentsfor 

Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7, non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), and Salmonella and

samples from retail for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella (Table 1). 
4

Follow-up samples are a tool FSIS uses to verify whether the establishment has takeneffective 

corrective action in response to the initial STEC positive detected through routine FSIS verification 

testing. FSIS collects raw beef follow-up samplesin response to a STEC positive finding from routine 

sampling. FSIS analyzes ground beef follow-up samples for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. FSIS analyzes 

beef trim follow-up samples for E. coli O157:H7, non-O157 STEC, and Salmonella. For ground beef 

product or bench trim samples that are positive for STEC, FSIS also collects follow-up samples from 

suppliers, when suppliers provided source materials(Table 3). Follow-up samples may also be collected 

at retail and tested for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in response to a positive result. 

For more information on source materials sampled, the sample project summary, sample method, and 

product sampled, see the FSIS Directive 10,010.1 Informational Dashboardand select the appropriate 

sample code for more information.

Table 1. FSIS’ Raw Beef Verification Sampling 

FSIS hasfive verification sampling codes and corresponding follow-up sampling codes.

Raw Beef Sampling 

Verification Code

Sample Project Description Corresponding Follow-Up 

Sampling Code

MT43 Raw ground beef MT53 or MT441

MT60 Beef manufacturing trimmings produced from 

cattle slaughtered onsite

MT53

MT64 Raw ground beef components other than trim, 

produced from cattle slaughtered onsite

MT53

MT65 Bench trim produced from cattle not 

slaughtered onsite

MT52 or MT53

MT05 Raw ground beef in commerce MT06 1FSIS also conducts MT44T follow-up sampling for positive samples not from FSIS verification sampling (e.g., traceback related 

to outbreaks).
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Table 2. FY 2021 Summary of FSIS’ Raw Beef Verification Sampling Programs 

FY 2021 results for FSIS’ five verification sampling codesfor detecting E. coli O157:H7 and/or non-O157 

STECs(including O23, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145) and Salmonella in raw beef product samples. 

ProductName 

and Project Code Pathogen

Number of 

Establishments 

Sampled

Number 

of 

Samples 

Analyzed

Number 

Positive

Type of 

Calculation1

Prevalence 

or Percent 

Positive 

Calculation

Raw Ground Beef

MT43

E. coli

O157:H7 1,231 11,009 8 Prevalence 0.04%

Salmonella

spp.

1,231 11,009 144 Prevalence 2.1%

Beef 

Manufacturing 

Trim

MT60

E. coli

O157:H7 524 3,833 7 Prevalence 0.05%

non-O157 

STEC 520 3,805 17 Prevalence 0.20%

Salmonella

spp.

524 3,833 72 Prevalence 1.0%

Raw Ground Beef 

Components other 

than Trim

MT64

E. coli

O157:H7 137 1,355 4 Percent Positive 0.3%

Salmonella

spp.

137 1,355 84 Percent 

Positive 6.2%

Bench Trim

MT65

E. coli

O157:H7 478 1,359 0 Percent Positive 0.0%

Salmonella

spp.

478 1,359 12 Percent 

Positive 0.88%

Raw Ground Beef 

In-Commerce

MT052

E. coli

O157:H7 519 520 1 Percent Positive 0.19%

Salmonella

spp.

519 520 8 Percent 

Positive 1.54%

1Percent positive is 100*(the total number of positive samples divided by the total number of tested samples). Prevalence is a 

calculated percentage that takes into account establishment production volumes and the volume of contaminated product. See 

the sampling results data dictionary on the FSIS website for a detailed description of prevalence.

2MT05 ground beef samples are collected from retail firms, not Federal establishments.
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Table 3. FY 2021 Summary of FSIS’ Beef Follow-Up Sampling Programs

FY 2021 follow-up testing results in raw beef product samples in response to samples positive for either E. coli O157:H7 or non-O157 STEC in the 

verification sampling projects are shown.

Product Name and Project Code1 Pathogen

Number of 

Establishments 

Sampled

Number of 

Samples 

Analyzed

Number 

Positive

Percent Positive

Calculation

Raw Ground Beef

MT44

E. coli O157:H7 5 53 0 0.0%

Salmonella spp. 5 53 2 3.77%

Trim and Components

MT52

E. coli O157:H7 3 34 0 0.0%

non-O157 STEC 3 34 0 0.0%

Salmonella spp. 3 34 1 2.94%

Beef Manufacturing Trim

MT53

E. coli O157:H7 46 549 2 0.36%

non-O157 STEC 44 511 1 0.2%

Salmonella spp. 46 549 23 4.19% 1

No MT06 or MT44T samples were collected in FY 2021.
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Raw Pork Products

FSIS samplesraw pork products samples for Salmonella and aerobic count indicator organisms. FSIS 

began sampling raw pork products in May 2015 (80 FR 3940) to test for pathogens of public concern. In 

2019, FSIS focused sample collection on eligible establishments producing greater than 6,000 pounds of 

comminuted product and eligible establishments producing greater than 50,000 pounds per day of pork 

cuts, both intact and non-intact (Table 4).

Table 4. FSIS’ Raw Pork Sampling 

FSIS hastwo raw pork sampling codes. FSIS does not conduct follow-up sampling for pork products. 

Raw Pork

Sampling Code

Sample Project 

Description

Establishment Volume Task Frequency

HC_PK_CUT01 Intact and Nonintact Cuts 1,001 – 50,000 lbs/day Random

HC_PK_CUT01 Intact and Nonintact Cuts >50,000 lbs/day 5 times/month

HC_PK_COM01 Comminuted 1,0001 – 6,000 lbs/day Random

HC_PK_COM01 Comminuted >6,000 lbs/day 5 times/month

Table 5. FY 2021 Results for FSIS’ Raw Pork Sampling Program

FY 2021 exploratory sampling results for detecting Salmonella in raw pork product samples are shown.

This is exploratory sampling because FSIS does not take any action in response to these results and is 

evaluating them to inform future policy or procedures. 

ProductName and

Project Code Pathogen

Number of 

Establishments 

Sampled

Number of 

Samples 

Analyzed

Number 

Positive

Percent Positive

Calculation

Comminuted

HC_PK_COM01

Salmonella

spp.

311 6,330 1,292 20.4%

Intact and Non-Intact 

Cuts

HC_PK_CUT01

Salmonella

spp.

89 2,248 193 8.6%
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Raw Siluriformes Products

FSIS began sampling raw fish of the order Siluriformes in May 2016 (FSIS Directive 14,010.1)for 

Salmonella. Samples are collected monthly from eligible establishments.

Table 6. FY 2021 Siluriformes Sampling Results

FY 2021 exploratory sampling results for FSIS raw Siluriformes product sampling are shown. This is 

exploratory sampling because FSIS does not take any action in response to these results and is 

evaluating them to inform future policy or procedures. 

ProductName and

Project Code Pathogen

Number of 

Establishments 

Sampled

Number of 

Samples 

Analyzed

Number 

Positive

Percent 

Positive

Calculation

Raw Siluriformes

EXP_FI_MIC01 Salmonella 69 583 16 2.7%

Raw Poultry Products

FSIS samples Federally inspected establishments to verify whether eligible products meet applicable 

Salmonella performance standards(81 FR 7285). 1 Eligible products were scheduled for sampling 2 to 5 

times per month throughout the year (based on volume of product produced at establishments), 

thereby allowing FSIS to define a category2 for each product, based on 10 to 60 sample results. All 

samples are tested for Salmonella and Campylobacter(Table 7). Although FSIS has established 

Campylobacter performance standards, FSIS is not currently assessing whether product meets those 

performance standards because FSIS established them under a sampling method the Agency is no longer 

using. Other products (quarter or half chicken carcasses, and mechanically separated chicken and 

turkey) were also sampled but at lower numbers per establishment (Table 7). These other products are 

under exploratory sampling and not under performance standards.

1 Product eligibility described at FSIS Establishment Eligibility Criteria for the Salmonella Verification Sampling Program and FSIS 

Scheduling Algorithm for the Salmonella Verification Sampling Program for Raw Meat and Poultry (usda.gov)

2 Salmonella Verification Testing Program Monthly Posting | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov)
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Table 7. FY 2021 Sampling Result Summary for FSIS’ Raw Poultry Sampling Programs

FY 2021 sampling resultsfor Salmonella and Campylobacterin raw poultry product samples are shown. 

Results do not include follow-up sample data. 

ProductName 

and

Project Code Pathogen

Number of 

Establishments 

Sampled

Number 

of 

Samples 

Analyzed

Number 

Positive

Type of 

Calculation

Prevalence or 

Percent Positive 

Calculation

Chicken Whole 

Carcasses

HC_CH_CARC01

Salmonella 

spp. 208 9,666 420 Prevalence 3.3%

Campylobacter 

spp. 208 9,659 1,820 Percent Positive 18.8%

Chicken 

Quarter or Half 

Carcasses

EXP_CPT_QH01

1

Salmonella 

spp. 68 81 8 Percent Positive 9.9%

Campylobacter 

spp. 68 81 25 Percent Positive 30.9%

Chicken Parts -

Legs, Breasts, 

Wings

HC_CPT_LBW01

Salmonella 

spp. 480 14,092 1,075 Prevalence 7.0%

Campylobacter 

spp. 480 14,079 2,141 Percent Positive 15.2%

Comminuted 

Chicken

HC_CH_COM01

Salmonella 

spp. 72 2,057 550 Prevalence 29.2%

Campylobacter 

spp. 72 2,045 130 Percent Positive 6.4%

Mechanically 

Separated 

Chicken1

EXP_CH_MSK01 

Salmonella 

spp. 26 122 102 Percent Positive 83.6%

Campylobacter 

spp. 26 122 83 Percent Positive 68.0%

Turkey Whole 

Carcasses

HC_TU_CARC01

Salmonella 

spp. 42 1,709 8 Prevalence 0.28%

Campylobacter 

spp. 42 1,711 13 Percent Positive 0.76%

Comminuted 

Turkey

HC_TU_COM01

Salmonella 

spp. 47 1,395 216 Prevalence 16.8%

Campylobacter 

spp. 47 1,391 22 Percent Positive 1.6%

Mechanically 

Separated 

Turkey1

EXP_TU_MSK01

Salmonella 

spp. 14 111 47 Percent Positive 42.3%

Campylobacter 

spp. 14 111 29 Percent Positive 26.1%

1 Exploratory sampling projects.
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Table 8. FY 2021 Follow-Up Sampling Result Summary for FSIS’ Raw Poultry Sampling Programs

FY 2021 follow-up sampling resultsfor detecting Salmonella in raw poultry product samples are shown

below. Follow-up sampling is assigned when an establishment does not meet a Salmonella performance 

standard(i.e., isin Category 3). FSIS Salmonella follow-up sampling results provide a snapshot of a 

specific establishment’s performance based on intensified sample collection after the establishment 

implemented corrective actions, which can assist FSIS personnel during a Public Health Risk Evaluation

or Food Safety Assessment. For this reason, the aggregated set of data reflects FSIS’ efforts to collect 

follow-up samples but does not provide overall information about individual establishment

performance. 

 

ProductName 

and

Project Code Pathogen

Number of 

Establishments 

Sampled

Number 

of 

Samples 

Analyzed

Number 

Positive

Type of 

Calculation

Percent 

Positive 

Calculation

Chicken Whole 

Carcasses

F_CH_CARC01

Salmonella 

spp. 28 366 38 Percent Positive 10.4%

Chicken Parts -

Legs, Breasts, 

Wings

F_CPT_LBW01

Salmonella 

spp. 67 953 113

Percent 

Positive 11.9%

Comminuted 

Chicken

F_CH_COM01

Salmonella 

spp. 14 171 52

Percent 

Positive 30.4%

Turkey Whole 

Carcasses

F_TU_CARC01

Salmonella 

spp. 1 4 0

Percent 

Positive 0.0%

Comminuted 

Turkey

F_TU_COM01

Salmonella 

spp. 14 169 20

Percent 

Positive 11.8%

Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Products

FSIS conducts microbiological testing of all RTE meat, poultry, and egg products for Lm and Salmonella, 

which are adulterants in these products. FSIS collects RTE product samples and environmental swab 

samples under various RTE sampling programs;see RTE Meat and Poultry Products Microbiological 

Sampling Programs. 
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Table 9: FY 2021 Ready-to-Eat Product Sampling Results

FY 2021 sampling results for FSIS RTE microbiological sampling programs are reported for Listeria 

monocytogenes(Lm) and Salmonella, if applicable.

Product Name and 

Project Code Pathogen

Number of 

Establishments 

Sampled

Number of 

Samples 

Analyzed

Number 

Positive

Percent 

Positive

Calculation

Post-lethality exposed 

(PLE) and non-PLE 

products selected 

randomly

RTEPROD_RAND

Listeria 

monocytogenes (Lm) 2,190 6,909 13 0.19%

Salmonella spp. 2,190 6,910 3 0.04%

PLE products selected 

by risk

RTEPROD_RISK

Listeria 

monocytogenes (Lm) 1,673 7,846 15 0.19%

Salmonella spp. 1,673 7,847 2 0.03%

Intensified Verification 

Testing (IVT/forcause) product

INTCONT

Listeria 

monocytogenes (Lm) 36 710 11 1.55%

Salmonella spp. 4 26 0 0.00%

IVT non-food contact 

environmental

INTENV

Listeria 

monocytogenes (Lm) 36 360 21 5.83%

Salmonella spp. 3 40 0 0.00%

IVT product

INTPROD

Listeria 

monocytogenes (Lm) 36 354 7 1.98%

Salmonella spp. 4 26 0 0.00%

Routine risk-based Lm

(RLm/risk-based) food 

contact surfaces

RLMCONT

Listeria 

monocytogenes (Lm) 205 2,692 4 0.15%

RLm non-food contact 

environmental 

(composite of 5-

swabs)

RLMENVC1

Listeria 

monocytogenes (Lm) 205 270 15 5.56%

RLmproduct 

(composite of five 25-

gramproducts from 

same lot)

RLMPRODC

Listeria 

monocytogenes (Lm) 205 269 1 0.37%

1Includes one RLMENVR noncomposited brine sample that was negative.
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Table 10. RTE Egg Products FY2021 Sampling Results

FY 2021 microbiological sampling of liquid and dried pasteurized egg products tested for 

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) and Salmonella are shown.

Product Name and 

Project Code Pathogen

Number of 

Establishments 

Sampled

Number of 

Samples 

Analyzed

Number 

Positive

Percent 

Positive

Calculation

Egg Product Sampling 

- Dried Egg Products 

EGG_DY_MIC01

Listeria 

monocytogenes (Lm) 23 291 0 0.0%

Salmonella spp. 23 291 0 0.0%

Egg Product Sampling 

- Liquid / Frozen Egg 

Products 

EGG_LQ_MIC01

Listeria 

monocytogenes (Lm) 50 1,201 0 0.0%

Salmonella spp. 50 1,201 1 0.08%

2. Domestic Chemical Residue Sampling

National Residue Program

The U.S. National Residue Program (NRP) guides the sampling of domestic and imported meat, poultry, 

and egg product samplesfor chemical residue testing: see Residue Chemistry. Information about 

sampling of imported product is below. The NRPincludes surveillance sampling, inspector-generated

sampling, and special project sampling in both Federal and State-inspected slaughter establishments. 

a. Surveillance Sampling Plan

Surveillance sampling is the scheduled sampling of specified slaughter subclasses at the time of 

slaughter, after a carcass has passedantemortem inspection. In FY 2021, 9 analytical methods were 

used to detect approximately 250 different veterinary drugs, pesticides, and environmental 

contaminants. In FY 2021, detected residue violations consisted of the following residues: metolachlor 

(9), diclofenac (4), piperonyl butoxide (4), salbutamol (3), atrazine and metabolites (2), doramectin (2), 

ractopamine (2), and one instance each for amoxicillin, carbadox, diazinon, moxidectin, penicillin, and 

tetraconazole. In some cases, sample violations were associated with multiple residues in a single 

sample.
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Table 11: Summary of FY 2021 NRP Surveillance Sampling Residue Results

FY 2021 summary of surveillance sampling resultsfrom FSIS inspector-collectedmuscle, kidney, and liver tissue from carcasses and partsis 

shown.

Animal

Category

Animal

Category

Number of Samples Analyzed by Animal Class

Total

Samples

Number of NonDetect Samples

Number of NonViolative1 Positive

Samples

Number of 

Violative2

Samples

Bovine

Beef Cows 821 814 5 2

Bob Veal 330 321 9 --

Dairy Cows 820 810 7 3

Formula-Fed Veal 70 70 -- --

Heifers 417 400 15 2

Non-Formula-Fed Veal 53 52 1 --

Steers 424 400 23 1

Porcine

Feral Swine 63 63 -- --

Market Swine 809 808 -- 1

Roaster Swine 311 310 -- 1

Sows 740 732 7 1

Poultry

Young Chickens 430 422 7 1

Whole Chickens 394 389 5 --

Young Turkeys 835 827 8 --

Other

Species

Goats 309 306 2 1

Lambs 95 91 2 2

Mature Sheep 105 105 -- --

Siluriformes (Catfish) 609 591 6 12

Egg Products 189 183 5 1

Annual Total 7,824 7,694 102 28 1 Non-violative samples:residue sample below tolerable level set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and/or the Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA).

2 Violative samples: residue sample exceeding an acceptable or tolerable level set by the FDA and/or the EPA.
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Table 12: FY 2021 Number Collected NRP Surveillance Sampling Residues by Chemical Method

FY 2021 number collected surveillance sampling residue sampling summary is shown reflecting the number of samples (carcasses) analyzed per 

chemical method per animal class.

Animal

Category

Animal

Class

Number of Samples Analyzed per Chemical Method

Aminoglycosides Antifungal 

Dyes Carbadox Metals MRM1 Nitrofurans Pesticides PFAS2 Speciation

Bovine

Beef Cows 820 -- -- 117 821 -- 399 -- --

Bob Veal 330 -- -- 105 330 -- 168 -- --

Dairy Cows 819 -- -- 120 820 -- 380 -- --

Formula-Fed Veal 70 -- -- 1 70 -- 1 -- --

Heifers 417 -- -- 103 417 -- 211 -- --

Non- Formula Fed Veal 53 -- -- -- 53 -- 1 -- --

Steers 424 -- -- 110 424 -- 220 -- --

Porcine

Feral Swine -- -- -- -- -- -- 63 -- --

Market Swine 808 -- -- 131 809 -- 434 162 --

Roaster Swine 1 -- 311 -- -- -- -- -- --

Sows 739 -- -- 106 740 -- 404 146 --

Poultry

Young Chickens 430 -- -- 155 430 33 33 -- --

Whole Chickens 394 -- -- -- 394 394 394 356 --

Young Turkeys 835 -- -- 156 835 441 441 -- --

Other 

Species

Goats 308 -- -- -- 309 -- 171 -- --

Lambs 95 -- -- -- 95 -- 68 -- --

Mature Sheep 105 -- -- -- 105 -- 67 -- --

Siluriformes (Catfish) -- 300 -- 301 546 246 246 138 363

Egg Products -- -- -- -- 175 -- 187 -- --

Annual Total 6,648 300 311 1,405 7,373 1,114 3,888 802 363 1 MRM: multiresidue method

2 PFAS: polyfluoroalkyl substances
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Table 13. Summary FY 2021 Surveillance Sampling Residue Violations by Animal Class

List of FY 2021 surveillance sampling residue violations, including specific compound, concentration, tolerance, and regulatory citation by animal 

classis shown.

Animal

Category Tissue Compound Concentration Units Tolerance Level Value

Authority 

(CFR Citation)

Beef Cow Muscle Diazinon * * * Not Approved1

Beef Cow Liver Doramectin 285 PPB 100 21 CFR 556.225

Muscle Doramectin 52.4 PPB 30 21 CFR 556.225

Dairy Cow Muscle Salbutamol * * * Not Approved1

Dairy Cow Kidney Penicillin 0.306 PPM 0.050 21 CFR 556.510

Dairy Cow Muscle Salbutamol * * * Not Approved1

Liver Salbutamol * * * Not Approved1

Egg Products Eggs Piperonyl Butoxide 1.02 PPM 0.100 40 CFR 180.127

Goat Muscle Moxidectin 32.6 PPB * 21 CFR 556.426

Heifer Liver Ractopamine 0.113 PPM 0.090 21 CFR 556.570

Heifer Muscle Diclofenac * * * Not Approved1

Lamb Muscle Piperonyl Butoxide 0.169 PPM 0.100 40 CFR 180.127

Lamb Muscle Piperonyl Butoxide 0.260 PPM 0.100 40 CFR 180.127

Market Swine Muscle Amoxicillin * * * Not Approved1

Roaster Swine Liver Carbadox 60.0 PPB 30.0 21 CFR 556.100

Siluriformes Muscle Atrazine and Metabolites * * * Not Approved1

Metolachlor * * * 40 CFR 180.368

Siluriformes Muscle Diclofenac * * * Not Approved1

Siluriformes Muscle Atrazine and Metabolites * * * Not Approved1

Metolachlor * * * 40 CFR 180.368

Siluriformes Muscle Metolachlor * * * 40 CFR 180.368

Siluriformes Muscle Metolachlor * * * 40 CFR 180.368

Siluriformes Muscle Diclofenac * * * Not Approve1

Siluriformes Muscle Metolachlor * * * 40 CFR 180.368

Siluriformes Muscle Metolachlor * * * 40 CFR 180.368

Siluriformes Muscle Metolachlor * * * 40 CFR 180.368
16

Animal

Category Tissue Compound Concentration Units Tolerance Level Value

Authority 

(CFR Citation)

Siluriformes Muscle Metolachlor * * * 40 CFR 180.368

Siluriformes Muscle Metolachlor * * * 40 CFR 180.368

Siluriformes Muscle Tetraconazole * * * Not Approved1

Sow Muscle Piperonyl Butoxide 0.425 PPM 0.100 40 CFR 180.127

Steer Liver Ractopamine 0.125 PPM 0.090 21 CFR 556.570

Young Chicken Muscle Diclofenac * * * Not Approved1

* Violative residue results were detected but not quantified

1Not Approved: the residue detected is not approved for the animal class

PPB – parts per billion (μg/kg)

PPM – parts per million (mg/kg)

CFR – Code of Federal Regulations
17

b. Inspector-Generated Sampling Plan

FSIS inspectors collect samples for residue testing when they suspect that animals presented for 

slaughter may have violative levels of chemical residues. If an inspector suspectsthat there is misuse of 

drugs that cannot be detected by the Kidney Inhibition Swab (KISTM) test, the samples are sent directly to 

the laboratory for analysis. These samples are reported under the inspector-generated program(FSIS 

Directive 10,800.1). 

In FY 2021, 151,780 Kidney Inhibition Swab (KISTM) tests were conducted on animals selected by FSIS 

(Table 14). Of these, 1,999 samples were submitted to FSIS field laboratories for further analysis, and 

456 chemical residue violations were reported from 397 samples(multiple residue violations may be 

found in the same sample). 

• Dairy cows (65%) and bob veal (14%) accounted for 79% of the 397 violations reported under the 

inspector-generated sampling plan.

• Desfuroylceftiofur (the primary metabolite of ceftiofur) and penicillin accounted for 44% and 27% of 

the violations reported in 259 dairy cows, respectively.

• Of the 55 bob veal violations, 62% of the violations were associated with neomycin.

• Inspectors performed 18,055 in-plant KISTM test in swine slaughter classes (market swine, sows, 

roaster swine, boar swine, and feral swine), resulting in only six violative samples (0.03%).

• The predominant violative residues in the inspector-generated samples were ceftiofur (n=133), 

penicillin (94), and neomycin (38), which account for 29%, 21%, and 8.3% of total violative residues, 

respectively.
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Table 14. Summary of FY 2021 Inspector-Generated Sampling (KISTM) Test and Confirmatory Tests

FY 2021 summary of KISTM tests, number of in-plant screens with negative results, number of carcasses sent to FSIS laboratory for confirmation, 

and the number of carcasses (i.e.,samples) with violations for each animal class. 

Animal Category Animal Class

KISTM Test

Total Number of 

In-plant

Carcasses

Number of In-plant

Negative

Carcasses

Number of 

Samples 

Analyzed in FSIS 

Labs

Number of 

Samples with 

Confirmed Lab 

Violations

Bovine

Beef Cows 11,434 11,201 231 38

Bison 2 2 -- --

Bob Veal 22,939 22,813 123 55

Bulls 1,607 1,553 54 6

Dairy Cows 83,568 82,284 1,260 259

Formula-fed Veal 149 148 1 --

Heavy Calves 279 261 17 2

Heifers 4,385 4,285 92 12

Non-Formula-fed Veal 164 161 2 --

Steers 9,259 9,127 123 10

Porcine

Boar/Stag Swine 66 66 -- --

Feral Swine 6 6 -- --

Market Swine 12,923 12,841 47 2

Roaster Swine 1,158 1,155 1 --

Sows 3,902 3,871 29 4

Other Species

Deer/Reindeer 1 1 -- --

Goats 580 573 6 4

Lambs 1,141 1,129 9 3

Mature Sheep 314 303 4 2

Annual Total 153,877 151,780 1,999 397
19

Table 15. Summary of FY 2021 Inspector-Generated Sampling Residue Violation Results by Chemical Residue and Animal Class

FY 2021 summary of chemical residue violations reported within the inspector-generated sampling.

Chemical Residue

Animal Class

Beef 

Cows

Bob 

Veal

Bull/

Stag

Dairy 

Cows

Goats Heavy 

Calves Heifers Lambs

Market 

Swine

Mature 

Sheep

Sows Steers Total

Ampicillin -- -- -- 9 -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- 10

Butorphanol 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1

Ciprofloxacin 1 3 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- 5

Desethylene Ciprofloxacin -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1

Desfuroylceftiofur 4 6 -- 115 -- -- 6 -- -- -- -- 2 133

Dihydrostreptomycin -- 1 -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2

Doxycycline -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1

Enrofloxacin -- 3 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 3

Eprinomectin -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- 1

Florfenicol 3 1 -- 6 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 11

Florfenicol Amine 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1

Flunixin 5 4 -- 18 -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- 2 30

Gamithromycin -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- 1

Gentamycin Sulfate 2 -- 1 3 -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- 7

Ketoprofen -- -- 1 3 -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- 5

Lincomycin -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1

Meloxicam 1 1 -- 15 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 18

Neomycin 1 34 -- 2 -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- 38

Oxyphenylbutazone -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1

Oxytetracycline 2 -- -- 1 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 4

Penicillin 14 1 2 70 -- 1 1 -- 1 1 3 -- 94

Phenylbutazone -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1

Spectinomycin -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1

Sulfadimethoxine 2 2 -- 23 -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- 2 30
20

Chemical Residue

Animal Class

Beef 

Cows

Bob 

Veal

Bull/

Stag

Dairy 

Cows

Goats Heavy 

Calves Heifers Lambs

Market 

Swine

Mature 

Sheep

Sows Steers Total

Sulfadoxine -- -- 1 3 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- 5

Sulfamethazine 8 2 1 10 -- -- 2 1 -- -- -- 4 28

Sulfamethoxazole -- 4 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 4

Sulfamethoxypyridazine -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 2

Sulfathiazole -- 4 -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 5

Tetracycline -- -- -- 1 2 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 3

Tilmicosin 4 -- -- 3 -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- 8

Tylosin -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1

AnnualTotal 48 69 8 286 5 2 13 3 3 2 4 13 456
21

Table 16. Summary of FY 2021 Inspector-Generated Sampling

FY 2021 summary of suspect animal samples sent directly to any FSIS laboratory (inspector-generatedsampling)for analysis.

Animal 

Category Animal Class Total Samples Number of NonDetect Samples

Number of NonViolative Positives

Samples

Number of 

Violative 

Samples

Bovine

Beef Cows 15 13 1 1

Bob Veal 5 2 1 2

Bull/Stag 2 2 -- --

Dairy Cows 44 38 2 4

Heavy Calves 3 3 -- --

Heifers 8 6 2 --

Non-Formula-fed Veal 1 1 -- --

Steers 22 19 3 --

Porcine Market Swine 22 20 2 --

Sows 7 7 -- --

Poultry Young Turkey 2 2 -- --

Other Species

Goats 7 5 1 1

Lamb 8 8 -- --

Mature Sheep 1 1 -- --

Annual Total 147 127 12 8

3. Import Sampling

a. Import Microbiological Sampling

FSIS conducts port-of-entry reinspection of imported meat, poultry, and egg products. This activity is a reinspection of products that have 

already been inspected and passed by an equivalent foreign inspection system. Thus, imported product reinspection is a means of verifying the 

equivalence of a foreign country’s inspection system on an ongoing basis. 
22

Table 17. Summary of FY 2021 Microbiology Sampling of Imported Products 

FY 2021 microbiological sampling results for imported products by inspection level. The values shown here summarize results over all countries 

and do not reflect the percent positive for individual countries. Additionally, no direct comparisons should be made to domestic sampling

because sampling for imported product varies based on the volume of shipments received by country and product.

ProductName and 

Project Code Pathogen

Normal Increased1 Intensified2

Number of 

Samples 

Analyzed

Number 

Positive

Number of 

Samples 

Analyzed

Number 

Positive

Number of 

Samples 

Analyzed

Number 

Positive

Percent 

Positive 

Calculation

Total

Imported Raw Beef 

Manufactured 

Trimmings or 

Components for use in 

Ground Beef or Beef 

Products

MT51

E. coli O157:H7 1,745 -- 140 -- 76 1 1.32% 1,961

non-O157 STEC 1,710 2 129 3 66 1 1.52% 1,905

Salmonella spp. 1,745 6 140 2 76 --

0.0%

1,961

Imported Raw Ground 

or Comminuted Beef or 

Veal Product

MT08

E. coli O157:H7 43 -- -- -- -- -- 0.0% 43

Salmonella spp. 43 -- -- -- -- -- 0.0%43

Micro Pathogen 

Sampling of RTE 

Products

IMVRTE

Listeria 

monocytogenes 3,051 3 6 -- 115 -- 0.0% 3,172

Salmonella spp. 3,051 1 6 -- 115 -- 0.0% 3,172

Imported Egg Products

EGGIMP

Listeria 

monocytogenes 101 -- -- -- -- -- 0.0% 101

Salmonella spp. 101 -- -- -- -- -- 0.0% 101

Imported Raw and 

NRTE Poultry Products

IMP_Poultry

Salmonella spp. 830 151 -- -- -- -- 0.0% 830

Campylobacter 828 99 -- -- -- -- 0.0% 828
23

1Increased is a level of reinspection above the normal level that is directed by a FSIS management decision. Under increased reinspection, FSIS may hold, on a case-by-case basis, 

lots of imported meat, poultry, or egg products pending receipt of a laboratory analysis. If FSIS does not place the product on hold, the importer of record is still required to hold 

product tested for adulterants by FSIS and is not to allow such product to enter commerce unless and until negative results are received. 2Intensified is a level of reinspection that is implemented automatically by the Public Health Information System (PHIS) when a Type of Inspection PHIS task is reported as “Fail.” 

Under intensified reinspection, FSIS holds the sampled lot at the official import inspection establishment pending receipt of laboratory analysis. The sampled lot is not allowed to 

move off-site to be held. 

b. Import Residue Sampling

Imported meat, poultry, and egg products are sampled through the point-of-entry Import Reinspection Sampling Plan, a chemical residue 

monitoring programthat is conducted to verify whether foreign inspection systems in exporting countries are equivalent to U.S. standards. The 

results are summarized in Table 18.

Table 18. Summary of FY 2021 Residue Sampling of Imported Products

Project Code Analyte

Normal Increased1 Intensified2

Number of 

Samples 

Analyzed

NonViolative 

Positives

Samples

Violative 

Samples

Number of 

Samples 

Analyzed

Number of 

Samples 

Analyzed

NonViolative 

Positives

Samples

Violative 

Samples

Annual 

Total

Imported 

Siluriformes Fish 

Products-Eastern 

Laboratory

IMPFISH_CH_E

Antifungal Dyes, 

Metals, MRM 840 -- 1 -- 15 -- -- 855

Imported 

Siluriformes Fish 

Products-Western 

Laboratory

Nitrofurans, 

Pesticides 832 3 3 -- 40 1 9 872

Imported Raw Pork 

Product

IMP_Pork

Salmonella spp. 433 15 -- -- -- --

0.0%

433

Imported Siluriformes

Microbiology Sampling

IMPFISH_MI

Salmonella spp. 834 1 -- -- -- --

0.0%

834
24

Project Code Analyte

Normal Increased

1 Intensified2

Number of 

Samples 

Analyzed

Non-

Violative 

Positives

Samples

Violative 

Samples

Number of 

Samples 

Analyzed

Number of 

Samples 

Analyzed

Non-

Violative 

Positives

Samples

Violative 

Samples

Annual 

Total

IMPFISH_CH_W

Imported - Metals

IMPMETALS Metals 374 -- --

4 -- -- -- 378

Nitrofurans

IMPNITROFUR

3 Nitrofurans 21 --

2 -- -- -- -- 21

Imported -

Pesticide 

IMPPESTICIDE

Pesticides 515 --2 -- 6201 577

Imported Egg 

Products -

Chemistry

IMPRESEGG

Pesticides 43 -- -- -- -- -- -- 43

Imported Fresh 

Products - Residue 

Eastern Lab 

IMPRESFR_EL

Aminoglycosides, 

Avermectins, 

MRM

32912 -- 401 -- 369

Imported Fresh 

Products - Residue 

Western Lab 

IMPRESFR_WL

Aminoglycosides, 

Beta Agonists, 

MRM, 

Nitrofurans

30232 -- 38 -- -- 340

Imported Fresh 

Products 

IMPRESFRESH

3

Aminoglycosides, 

MRM 202

2 -- -- -- -- -- 202

Imported 

Processed Products - Residue Eastern 

Lab IMPRESPR_EL

Avermectins 64 -- --4 -- -- -- 68

Imported 

Processed Products Sulfonamides 34 -- -- -- -- -- -- 34
25

Project Code Analyte

Normal Increased1 Intensified2

Number of 

Samples 

Analyzed

NonViolative 

Positives

Samples

Violative 

Samples

Number of 

Samples 

Analyzed

Number of 

Samples 

Analyzed

NonViolative 

Positives

Samples

Violative 

Samples

Annual 

Total

- Residue 

Midwestern Lab 

IMPRESPR_MWL

Annual Total 3,556 9 12 8 195 2 10 3,759 1Increased is a level of reinspection above the normal level that is directed by a FSIS management decision. Under increased reinspection, FSIS may hold, on a case-by-case basis, 

lots of imported meat, poultry, or egg products pending receipt of a laboratory analysis. If FSIS does not place the product on hold, the importer of record is still required to hold 

product tested for adulterants by FSIS and is not to allow such product to enter commerce unless and until negative results are received. During FY 2021, there were no violative

samples and no non-violative samples at increased level of inspection. 2Intensified is a level of reinspection that is implemented automatically by the Public Health Information System (PHIS) when a Type of Inspection PHIS task is reported as “Fail.” 

Under intensified reinspection, FSIS holds the sampled lot at the official import inspection establishment pending receipt of laboratory analysis. The sampled lot is not allowed to 

move off-site to be held. 3As of June 1,2021 IMPRESFRESH and IMPNITROFUR replace IMPRESFR_EL and IMPRESFR_WL sampling projects. 

MRM: multiresidue method

Table 19. FY 2021 Import Residue Sampling Violations by Foreign Country/Animal Class

List of FY 2021 import residue sampling violations (foreign country, specific compound, concentration, tolerance, and regulatory citation) by 

animal class. FSIS detected semicarbazide, a nitrofurazone indicator, in 11 lots of imported products. FSIS engaged with the applicable foreign 

government and did not uncover evidence of nitrofurazone use: Investigation into the Detection of Semicarbazide (SEM), a Nitrofurazone 

Indicator, in Chicken.

Foreign Country Animal Class Compound Concentrations Units Tolerance Level 

Value Authority (CFR Citations)

Argentina Beef Ethion * * * Not Approved1

Argentina Beef Diazinon * * * Not Approved1

Canada Beef Meloxicam * * * Not Approved1

Canada Beef Meloxicam * * * Not Approved1

Mexico Beef Dipyrone; 

Phenylbutazone * * * Not Approved1
26

Mexico Beef Dipyrone; 

Phenylbutazone

*** Not Approved

1

New Zealand Mutton DDT and Metabolites*** Not Approved

1

The People's 

Republic of China

Siluriformes - Ictaluridae 

(Catfish)

Nitrofurazone*** Not Approved

1

The People's 

Republic of China

Siluriformes - Ictaluridae 

(Catfish)

Nitrofurazone*** Not Approved

1

The People's 

Republic of China

Siluriformes - Ictaluridae 

(Catfish)

Nitrofurazone*** Not Approved

1

The People's 

Republic of China

Siluriformes - Ictaluridae 

(Catfish)

Nitrofurazone*** Not Approved

1

The People's 

Republic of China

Siluriformes - Ictaluridae 

(Catfish)

Nitrofurazone*** Not Approved

1

The People's 

Republic of China

Siluriformes - Ictaluridae 

(Catfish)

Nitrofurazone*** Not Approved

1

The People's 

Republic of China

Siluriformes - Ictaluridae 

(Catfish)

Nitrofurazone*** Not Approved

1

The People's 

Republic of China

Siluriformes - Ictaluridae 

(Catfish)

Nitrofurazone*** Not Approved

1

The People's 

Republic of China

Siluriformes - Ictaluridae 

(Catfish)

Nitrofurazone*** Not Approved

1

The People's 

Republic of China

Siluriformes - Ictaluridae 

(Catfish)

Atrazine and 

Metabolites

*** Not Approved

1
27

The People's 

Republic of China

Siluriformes 

- Ictaluridae 

(Catfish)

Nitrofurazone * * * Not Approved1

The People's 

Republic of China

Siluriformes 

- Ictaluridae 

(Catfish)

Nitrofurazone * * * Not Approved1

Vietnam Siluriformes 

- Other Ivermectin 73.8 PPB 21 CFR 556.344

* Violative residue results were detected but not quantified.

1Not Approved: the residue detected is not approved for the animal class. 

PPB – parts per billion (μg/kg) 

CFR – Code of Federal Regulations

DDT - dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane
28

4. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) Initiatives

WGS-related projects align with the goals and objectives of the FSIS Strategic Plan and other policies. 

FSIS engages with Federal partners to establish, advance, and apply whole genome sequencing (WGS) 

data to ensure and strengthen regulatory functions. FSIS laboratories perform WGS on all positive 

sample isolatesfor all pathogens from FSIS-regulated products. In FY 2021, this equated to 13,569 

bacterial isolate sequences uploaded to theNational Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). 

5. National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS)

The National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System(NARMS) is an interagency collaborative 

partnership with State and local public health departments, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration 

(FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture 

(USDA). This national public health surveillance system tracks changes in antimicrobial susceptibility of 

select foodborne enteric bacteria found in ill people (CDC), retail meats (FDA), and food animals (USDA 

FSIS). The NARMS program at FSIS historically focused on two sampling points:samples collected from 

intestinal (cecal) content; and carcass, food commodity or product samples. Antimicrobial Susceptibility 

Tests (AST) are routinely conducted on all NARMS isolates, and WGS is conducted on a selected number 

of isolates. AST information provides the phenotypic resistance information, which is determined using 

epidemiological cut-off values or clinical breakpoints to interpret data. WGS information provides the 

genotypic resistance information, which is the presence of acquired genes and mutations known to 

enable a bacterium to grow in the presence of higher antimicrobial concentrations. These data may be 

accessed at the FDA NARMS Integrated Data Dashboards.

Table 20. Summary of FY 2021 NARMS Sampling Program

FY 2021 NARMS samples analyzed, isolates recovered, and further characterized.

Sampling Code Samples 

Scheduled

Samples 

Analyzed

Total 

Isolates 

Retrieved

Isolates Characterized

Salmonella Campylobacter E. coli Enterococcus

Cecal Sampling

NARMS_YC

Young Chicken 721 696 999

AST: 244 AST: 250 AST: 224 AST: 224

WGS: 232 WGS: 239 WGS: 141 WGS: 81

NARMS_YT

Young Turkey 454 434 636

AST: 49 AST: 134 AST: 207 AST: 202

WGS: 49 WGS: 126 WGS: 159 WGS: 88

NARMS_DC

Dairy Cow 977 922 850

AST: 198 AST: 209 AST: 208 AST: 194

WGS: 193 WGS: 202 WGS: 102 WGS: 36

NARMS_BC

Bull/Stag 485 451 255

AST: 38 AST: 58 AST: 72 AST: 79

WGS: 37 WGS: 58 WGS: 38 WGS: 16

NARMS_ST

Steer 1,436 1,369 418

AST: 118 AST: 169 AST: 55 AST: 53

WGS: 113 WGS: 160 WGS: 28 WGS: 8

NARMS_HF

Heifer 473 453 321

AST: 49 AST: 83 AST: 87 AST: 87

WGS: 49 WGS: 80 WGS: 53 WGS: 9
29

NARMS_MS

Market Swine 884 847 844

AST: 217 AST: 133 AST: 220 AST: 196

WGS: 214 WGS: 125 WGS: 151 WGS: 65

NARMS_SW

Sow 431 392 756

AST: 218 AST: 63 AST: 207 AST: 192

WGS: 212 WGS: 61 WGS: 139 WGS: 69

NARMS_BV

Bob Veal 262 246 236

AST: 91 AST: 11 AST: 61 AST: 64

WGS: 88 WGS: 10 WGS: 42 WGS: 30

NARMS_FFV

Formula-Fed Veal 94 85 57

AST: 3 AST: 2 AST: 26 AST: 24

WGS: 3 WGS: 2 WGS: 23 WGS: 13

NARMS_NFFV

Non-Formula-Fed Veal 108 105 83

AST: 15 AST: 15 AST: 26 AST: 23

WGS: 14 WGS: 15 WGS: 13 WGS: 7

NARMS_GO

Goat 110 108 63

AST: 11 AST: 13 AST: 19 AST: 18

WGS: 11 WGS: 13 WGS: 8 WGS: 7

NARMS_LB

Lamb 106 103 88

AST: 23 AST: 19 AST: 21 AST: 20

WGS: 23 WGS: 18 WGS: 10 WGS: 11

NARMS_SH

Sheep 101 95 86

AST: 33 AST: 18 AST: 13 AST: 15

WGS: 32 WGS: 18 WGS: 7 WGS: 7

Non-Cecal Sampling

Siluriformes1 N/A 1,378 221

AST: 18 AST: N/A AST: 101 AST: 101

WGS: 17 WGS: N/A WGS: 49 WGS: 48

Cattle Lymph Nodes 302 298 43 AST: 42 

WGS: 40

AST: N/A 

WGS: N/A

AST: N/A 

WGS: N/A

AST: N/A 

WGS: N/A

N/A – not applicable 1Siluriformes NARMS samples are sourced from the Siluriformes microbiology sampling project, EXP_FI_MIC01, and not scheduled 

independently. See Table 5 for more information. 

6. Other Sampling

FSIS conducts other sampling programs and special projects in response to investigations or other 

rapidly evolving events to protect consumers and ensure food safety, on an as-needed basis(Table 21). 

Flexibility within FSIS laboratories provides the Agency with the ability to adapt and rapidly respond to 

emerging issues. These projects may include for-cause and inspector-generated sampling, such as: 

• advanced meat recovery (AMR) sampling to verify that industry is preventing beef spinal cord 

material from entering the food supply and being misrepresented as meat;

• sampling in support of foodborne disease outbreaks or natural disasterinvestigations;

• animal species identification sampling to verify species claims of meat, poultry, and egg 

products;

• food chemistry sampling to identify economic fraud or other chemical residues;

• compliance testing to evaluate products in commerce that are suspected to be adulterated or 

misbranded;

• pathology testing to identify diseases, parasites, and related conditions in response to in-plant 

public health veterinarian findings from meat and poultry carcasses and parts; and

• abnormal container testing when inspection program personnel observe an abnormal container

being used for thermally processed products.
30

These projects also include routine sampling to verify that labels are accurate.

Table 21. Summary of FY 2021 Other Sampling 

Conclusion

In FY 2021, FSIS conducted meat, poultry, and egg products sampling verification to ensure that the food 

produced is safe, wholesome, and properly labeled to protect the public from foodborne hazards. As a 

science-based agency, FSIS uses data to inform decision making and drive continuous improvement of 

processes. FSIS evaluates these sampling data and shares the data, including analyses, on the FSIS 

website. Data sharing and transparency are critical steps to ensure public awareness of the food safety 

measures implemented. 

ProjectName and 

Project Code Samples Collected

Advanced Meat Recovery Product

AMR01

79

Investigative Sampling 

COMPLIAN

153

Label Verification of Antibiotic Free

EXP_LV_ABX

251

Label Verification of Hormone Free

EXP_LV_HORM

6

Label Verification of Sodium and Fat Content

EXP_LV_NUTR

64

Label Verification of Soy Free

EXP_LV_SOY

4

Follow-up Sampling to Advanced Meat Recovery Positive

FAMR01

8

Collector-Generated Food Chemistry Samples

FOODCHEM

1

Import – Abnormal Container

IMPABNCONT / ABNCONT

2

Import – Species Identification

IMPSPECIESID

216

Foodborne Illness and Outbreak Sampling

OUTBREAK

725

Pathology – Collector Generated

PATHOLOGY

3,727