Food Safety and Inspection Service 

Annual Sampling Plan 

Fiscal Year 2023 

United States Department of Agriculture 

Food Safety and Inspection Service 

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I 

Contents 

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

Background.............................................................................................................................................. 3 

Table 1: Planned Number of Microbiological Analyses (Tests) and Analytes FY 2020-FY 2022............... 6 

Table 2: Planned Number of Chemical Residue Analyses and Analytes Reported FY 2021-FY 2023........ 7 

Significant Changes for the FY 2023 Plan..................................................................................................... 8 

Table 3: FY 2023 Sampling Priorities..................................................................................................... 8 

Table 4: Rationale for Changes in Sampling Allocations....................................................................... 9 

Appendix A: Microbial Sampling Numbers by Product............................................................................... 15 

Table A1: Summary of Analyte Tested by Product...........................................................................14 

Table A2: FY 2022 and FY 2023 Sample Numbers for Raw Beef........................................................... 16 

Table A3: FY 2022 and FY 2023 Sample Numbers for Raw Pork........................................................... 17 

Table A4: FY 2022 and FY 2023 Sample Numbers for Raw Siluriformes............................................... 17 

Table A5: FY 2022 and FY 2023 Sample Numbers for Raw Poultry....................................................... 17 

Appendix B: Chemical Residue Sampling Numbers by Product................................................................... 20 

Table B1: FY 2022 and FY 2023 Sample Numbers for Chemical Residues............................................. 20 

Appendix C: National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) Programs........................... 24 

Table C1: FY 2022 and FY 2023 Sample Numbers for NARMS............................................................. 24 

Appendix D: Other Sampling Programs ...................................................................................................... 25 

Table D1: FY 2022 and FY 2023 Sample Numbers for FSIS Sampling Programs other than 

Microbiological and Chemical Residues................................................................................................. 25 

Appendix E: Terms, Definitions, and References......................................................................................... 26 

References................................................................................................................................................. 27 

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Introduction 

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the food safety regulatory agency within the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture (USDA) responsible for ensuring that domestic and imported meat, poultry, and 

egg products are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled. Verification activities serve to protect the public 

from foodborne hazards. Sampling and testing products under FSIS jurisdiction for microbiological and 

chemical residues is a key FSIS inspection verification activity. 

This planning document describes the Agency’s overall strategy for directing sampling resources in fiscal 

year (FY) 2023 and identifies changes made from the previous FY. 

Background 

FSIS Agency Planning 

Since FY 2017, FSIS has implemented strategic measures and plans to strengthen FSIS sampling programs. 

The FY 2023-2026 Strategic Plan and FY 2023 Annual Plan will continue to ensure that sampling resource 

allocation remains aligned with Agency goals and FSIS is implementing the latest technological and sampling 

advances to detect microbiological contaminants and chemical residues to protect the food supply. 

FSIS Process for Scheduling, Collecting, and Analyzing Samples 

The Agency’s process of scheduling, collecting, and analyzing routine domestic samples typically begins with 

a sampling task assigned to FSIS inspection program personnel(IPP) through the Public Health Information 

System (PHIS). The number of sampling tasks IPP can receive at a domestic establishment varies greatly 

depending on the types and quantities of products produced. Additional non-routine sampling tasks may be 

assigned to an establishment in response to results or other establishment performance history. Similarly, 

sampling “type of inspection” (TOI) tasks are assigned to imported products for each foreign country and 

product combination based on the number of imported shipments received; these sampling rates vary based 

on the amount and type of product imported each year. Additional non-routine TOI tasks can also be 

assigned to countries for imported product in response to sampling results, foreign establishment 

performance history, or as part of foreign country equivalence determination activities. 

It is important to note that this document reflects the Agency’s plan and there may be a difference between 

the number of samples that are anticipated to be analyzed and the total number of samples analyzed within 

the fiscal year. Several variables can impact the plan as the fiscal year progresses. The lack of available 

products that are eligible for sampling within the specific sampling tasks’ allotted timeframe is one of the 

biggest challenges IPP face when trying to collect all the samples anticipated in the sampling plan. 

Therefore, the FSIS Annual Sampling Plan is based on the number of samples anticipated to be analyzed 

instead of those assigned. For those products that do not have a required monthly frequency, FSIS can 

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adjust the number of samples assigned throughout the year to reach the sample target numbers. 

Additionally, differences between the planned number and analyzed number of samples may be due to 

changes in the number of inspected establishments producing eligible products. FSIS adjusts the number of 

samples assigned based on the average number of samples collected throughout the sampling year to 

collect samples from infrequent producing establishments and optimize the total number of annual 

planned samples collected and analyzed. The estimates for each sampling program are based on current 

plans, FSIS policies, and industry practices that are subject to change over the course of the fiscal year. 

After receiving the sampling tasks and verifying eligible product availability, IPP collect and ship the samples 

to one of three FSIS Field Service Laboratories (FSLs), where samples are tested for specified analytes. An 

analyte is a substance whose constituents are identified and measured, and the FSIS laboratories perform 

different tests depending on the sampling program and target analytes. The Agency increases sample 

resource efficiency by maximizing the number of analytes tested per sample collection event. 

Data Sharing and Analysis 

FSIS routinely analyzes sampling data. The results of these analyses are used in a variety of ways, including 

verifying whether product is safe and not adulterated, verifying the effectiveness of Hazard Analysis and 

Critical Control Point systems where applicable, informing Agency policy making, estimating public health 

impact, and advising strategic and performance planning. FSIS posts sampling data on the Agency’s website 

and shares the data with establishments through quarterly letters, as well as directly sharing sampling 

results with IPP and establishments. 

FSIS laboratories perform whole genome sequencing (WGS) on all foodborne pathogens isolated and 

confirmed from FSIS-regulated products. WGS-related projects are aligned with the goals and objectives of 

the FSIS Strategic Plan and other policies. When product samples test positive for bacterial pathogens, FSIS 

engages with Federal partners to use WGS data for regulatory and public health purposes. The information 

gathered from WGS helps FSIS to detect and investigate outbreaks of foodborne illness, identify potential 

instances of harborage, and identify unique genes, including antimicrobial resistance genes. In FY 2022, to 

enhance transparency and use of the data, FSIS updated its publicly available establishment-specific datasets 

to include the “FSIS number” and date-stamped allele codes (FSIS Constituent Update, May 20,2022). The 

FSIS number provides a way to link sample metadata to already publicly available isolate sequence data on 

the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) website. The allele codes provide a nomenclature 

that’s amenable to reporting and allows for the comparison of FSIS isolate sequences to each other. Moving 

forward, FSIS will explore new ways to expand the use of WGS data. Current and future efforts include 

exploring the use of genomic data to attribute Salmonella and Campylobacter illnesses to foods and to 

understand pathogen adaptability, persistence, and pathogenicity. These efforts will also build on the public 

health, regulatory, and research partners’ endeavors in support of FSIS Research Priorities. 

Salmonella Exploratory Sampling Project 

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In FY 2022, FSIS implemented the Young Chicken Carcass Exploratory Sampling Program to generate 

microbial data for pre-intervention carcass rinsate samples collected at rehang. Furthermore, in late FY 2022 

FSIS brought Salmonella enumeration online, which is a new quantification technology to analyze all chicken 

carcass rinsate samples. These additions and enhancements to sampling support FSIS’ stronger and more 

comprehensive approach to reduce Salmonella illnesses associated with poultry products. Since it is not just 

the presence or absence of Salmonella, but the quantity of bacteria that can impact the likelihood of illness, 

FSIS will examine how quantification can be incorporated into this approach. Moreover, with emerging 

science suggesting that not all Salmonella are equally likely to cause human illness, FSIS will focus on the 

Salmonella serotypes and the virulence factors that pose the greatest public health risk. In FY 2023, FSIS will 

further expand Salmonella enumeration analysis. 

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Microbiological and Chemical Residue Sampling Planned Changes from FY 2021 to FY 2023 

Table 1 and Table 2 summarize microbiological and chemical residue sampling, respectively, the total planned number of analyses and 

corresponding planned number of analytes tested for during FY 2021, FY 2022, and FY 2023 by product class to provide perspective over time. 

Data is based on the proposed number of samples and actual analyses performed during the previous fiscal years. Results for the fiscal year can 

be found in FSIS’ Annual Sampling Summary Report. A link to past years’ Sampling Summary Reports can be found in the References section. 

Table 1: Planned Number of Microbiological Analyses (Tests) and Analytes FY 2021-FY 2023 

Planned for FY 2021 Planned for FY 2022 Planned for FY 2023 Difference1 (FY 2023-FY2022) 

Samples Tests Analytes Samples Tests Analytes Samples Tests Analytes Samples Tests Analytes 

Product Class Planned Planned Planned Planned Planned Planned Planned Planned Planned Planned Planned Planned 

Raw Beef 19,233 51,240 99,336 20,023 52,824 100,920 21,271 55,320 103,416 1,248 2,496 2,496 

Raw Pork 11,040 22,080 33,120 11,040 22,080 33,120 11,040 22,080 33,120 0 0 0 

Raw Poultry 47,892 64,248 64,248 47,892 64,248 64,248 48,692 67,136 67,136 800 2,888 2,888 

Raw 660 660 660 660 660 660 0 0 0 -600 -600 -600 Siluriformes 

RTE 15,919 29,616 29,616 15,919 29,616 29,616 15,919 29,616 29,616 0 0 0 

RLm 5,437 5,437 5,437 5,437 5,437 5,437 5,437 5,437 5,437 0 0 0 

Eggs 1,600 3,200 3,200 1,600 3,200 3,200 1,600 3,200 3,200 0 0 0 

NARMS 7,780 18,600 443,100 6,492 25,968 419,832 5,655 22,752 418,920 -837 -3,216 -912 RTE/Eggs 

Imports2 6,312 13,884 27,893 6,312 13,884 27,893 5,604 13,176 27,576 -708 -708 -317 

Total 115,873 208,616 706,741 115,375 217,917 684,926 115,222 218,721 688,425 -149 800 3,495 

Abbreviations: RTE,ready-to-eat; RLm, Routine Listeriamonocytogenesmonitoring; Eggs, Egg products; NARMS, National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System. 1 The differences betweenFY 2022and FY 2023 plansincludethe addition of MT60_CLOTH and exploratory beef carcass sampling, suspension ofNARMS expansion testing 

and the discontinuation of Siluriformes sampling. For a full list of allocation changes, please see Table 4. 

2 Import microbiology testing analyses estimates are driven by expected shipment frequency and volume-based TOI assignments. 

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Table 2: Planned Number of Chemical Residue Analyses (Tests) and Analytes Reported FY 2021-FY 2023 

Planned for FY 2021 Planned for FY 2022 Planned for FY 2023 Difference3 (FY 2023-FY2022) 

Product Class 

Samples 

Planned 

Tests 

Planned 

Analytes 

Planned 

Samples 

Planned 

Tests 

Planned 

Analytes 

Planned 

Samples 

Planned 

Tests 

Planned 

Analytes 

Planned 

Samples 

Planned 

Tests 

Planned 

Analytes 

Planned 

Domestic Residues 

Beef Cows 752 2,646 132,678 752 2,268 130,788 752 2,268 130,788 0 0 0 

Bob Veal 400 1,428 71,604 400 1,224 70,584 400 1,224 70,584 0 0 0 

Dairy Cows 788 3,152 144,992 788 2,376 137,016 788 2,376 137,016 0 0 0 

Heifers 340 1,218 61,074 340 1,044 60,204 340 1,044 60,204 0 0 0 

Steer 328 1,176 58,968 328 1,008 58,128 328 1,008 58,128 0 0 0 

Sows 788 3,152 144,992 788 2,772 143,748 788 2,772 143,748 0 0 0 

Market Swine 728 2,912 133,952 728 2,562 132,858 728 2,562 132,858 0 0 0 

Young Chickens 394 1,182 53,190 394 1,584 72,270 388 1,386 71,874 -6 -198 -396 

Whole Chickens 394 1,576 90,620 394 1,584 72,270 0 0 0 -394 -1,584 -72,270 

Young Turkeys 788 2,772 137,808 788 2,772 137,808 388 1,188 68,508 -400 -1,584 -69,300 

Sheep 100 300 16,728 100 300 16,728 100 300 16,728 0 0 0 

Lamb 100 300 16,728 100 300 16,728 100 300 16,728 0 0 0 

Goats 300 600 35,100 300 600 35,100 300 600 35,100 0 0 0 

Roaster Swine 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 0 0 0 

Veal - Other 150 588 29,484 150 500 29,064 150 500 29,064 0 0 0 

Egg Product 250 500 38,637 250 500 36,427 250 500 36,427 0 0 0 

Siluriformes 650 2,455 116,075 650 2,640 116,160 200 816 35,904 -450 -1,824 -80,256 

State-Inspected 

Establishment Sampling 

for U.S. National Residue 300 1,050 52,614 300 960 52,740 300 948 52,741 0 -12 1 

Program1 

Other 

2

Imports 3,400 18,276 675,805 3,400 17,688 689,857 2,250 13,080 537,841 -1150 -4,608 -152,016 

KISTM 4,000 8,000 468,936 4,000 8,000 468,936 4,000 8,000 468,936 0 0 0 

Total 15,250 53,433 2,480,135 15,250 50,982 2,477,714 12,850 41,172 2,103,477 -2,400 -9,810 -374,237 

Abbreviation: KISTM, Kidney Inhibition Swab. 1 State sampling adjusted to reflect number of eligibleState establishments. 2 Importresidue testing analysesestimates are driven by expected shipment frequency and volume-basedTOI assignments. 3 The differences between the FY 2022and FY 2023 plansinclude: Suspension of nitrofuran testing, whole chicken carcass, and Siluriformes sampling. 

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Significant Changes for the FY 2023 Plan 

Table 3 lists key priorities FSIS plans to implement in FY 2023. Each row describes the challenges the Agency faces moving into FY 2023, what 

process is impacted and the objective(s) to achieve during the fiscal year. This table also includes modifications that may have taken place during 

FY 2022 after the FY 2022 Plan was published. 

Table 3: FY 2023 Sampling Priorities 

FY 2023 Modification 

Impacted Sampling, Related 

Process, or Analyte Description of Modification Implemented 

Changes to the National Residue 

Program (NRP) 

Whole Chicken Sampling • Suspend nitrofuran sampling and testing in domestic and imported 

poultry products. 

Reducing Salmonella in Poultry 

Initiative 

Poultry Products • Complete the Salmonella Young Chicken Carcass Exploratory 

Sampling. 

• Expand Salmonella enumeration analysis to other poultry 

products. 

• Reexamine sampling strategies for lower production volume 

establishments. 

• Identify verification testing approaches for raw, not ready-to-eat 

(NRTE) breaded, stuffed chicken products. 

Availability of new rapid Salmonella 

serotype methods 

Pathogen Identification • Evaluate newly available, rapid Salmonella serotyping methods. 

Use of new non-destructive cloth 

sampling device 

Raw Beef Trim • Continue non-destructive cloth sampling on raw beef trim 

samples. 

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Table 4 lists all products subject to sampling and includes a description of the sampling and testing, whether changes were made to sampling 

allocations for each product, and the Agency’s reasoning for the changes. The rationale is included for sampling number allocation changes 

between FY 2022 and FY 2023 sampling plans. FSIS’ Sampling Summary reports contain more information regarding changes identified below. 

Some sampling allocations did not change as the Agency continues to verify these products meet requirements. 

Table 4: Rationale for Changes in Sampling Allocations 

Sampling by 

Program/Commodity Program Description Rationale for Any Changes from the FY 2022 Sampling Allocations 

Beef Products • FSIS conducts Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) 

sampling for raw beef products produced in 

domestic establishments, in imported products, and 

at retail. 

• Raw non-intact beef products and raw beef 

products intended for raw non-intact use are eligible 

for sampling, including raw ground beef, beef 

manufactured trimmings, bench trim, and other raw 

ground beef components. 

• FSIS analyzes all raw beef products collected under 

the routine and follow-up sampling programs, 

including raw ground beef, beef manufactured 

trimmings, bench trim, and other raw ground beef 

components for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. 

Additionally, FSIS analyzes beef manufacturing 

trimmings for non-O157 STEC. 

• FSIS collects samples from beef carcasses before 

and after pathogen reduction interventions are 

applied in establishments that have requested a 

regulatory waiver related to presentation of 

carcasses for inspection. Carcass samples are 

analyzed for aerobic count and Salmonella. 

• Expand non-O157 STEC analysis to all raw beef 

products currently analyzed only for E. coli O157:H7. 

• Discontinue the beef manufactured trimmings cloth 

comparison study (~3,000 samples). 

• Investigate options for enumeration of positive 

Salmonella samples. 

• Increase allocations for exploratory beef carcass 

sampling (pre- and post-evisceration) by 268 (or more) 

samples due to additional establishment(s) selected 

for this exploratory project. 

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Sampling by 

Program/Commodity Program Description Rationale for Any Changes from the FY 2022 Sampling Allocations 

Pork Products • FSIS analyzes raw intact, non-intact, and 

comminuted domestic and imported pork for 

Salmonella, and indicator organisms. 

• No allocation changes planned for FY 2023. 

Poultry Products • FSIS analyzes young chicken and turkey carcasses, 

comminuted chicken and turkey, and chicken parts 

samples for Salmonella and Campylobacter. 

• Complete the exploratory young chicken carcass at 

rehang sampling (800 samples). 

• Evaluate options for enumeration of samples positive 

for Salmonella. 

Siluriformes • FSIS analyzes raw fish of the Order Siluriformes for 

Salmonella. 

• Discontinue microbiological sampling samples (600 

samples). 

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Sampling by 

Program/Commodity Program Description Rationale for Any Changes from the FY 2022 Sampling Allocations 

Ready-To-Eat (RTE): Meat, • FSIS conducts microbiological testing for Listeria • No allocation changes planned for FY 2023. 

Poultry, and Egg Products monocytogenes (Lm) and Salmonella in both 

domestically produced and imported egg products in 

addition to other RTE products. 

• Product sampling is scheduled every month under 

random and risk-based sampling under 2 RTEPROD 

projects for meat and poultry RTE products. Product 

sampling is scheduled every month based on 

production volume under 2 EGG project codes for 

liquid, frozen, and dried egg products. 

• RLm sampling program is performed in 

establishments producing post-lethality exposed RTE 

product. An RLm sampling event includes samples, 

consisting of product, contact surfaces, and the 

processing environment, collected and sampled for 

Lm under 3 RLm project codes. 

• Intensified Verification Testing (IVT) is performed 

whenever an eligible establishment has a positive 

sample collected under the RLm sampling program 

projects, or either one of the RTEPROD sampling 

projects. 

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Sampling by 

Program/Commodity Program Description Rationale for Any Changes from the FY 2022 Sampling Allocations 

National Residue Program 

(NRP) 

• The NRP sampling guides the collection of 

domestic and imported meat, poultry, and egg 

product samples. The domestic sampling plan 

includes surveillance sampling, inspector-generated, 

and special project sampling in both Federal and 

State-inspected slaughter establishments. 

• FSIS IPP perform inspector-generated sampling 

(KIS) in livestock slaughter species as per FSIS 

Directive 10,800.1. Per this directive, a positive 

sample is submitted to the FSIS laboratory for 

confirmatory testing. 

• Revised domestic Siluriformes sampling based on data 

(450 fewer samples). 

• Revised young turkey sampling based on data (400 

fewer samples). 

• Suspend nitrofuran sampling and testing in domestic 

and imported poultry products based on data. 

Discontinue whole chicken sampling (394 samples). 

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Sampling by 

Program/Commodity Program Description Rationale for Any Changes from the FY 2022 Sampling Allocations 

Import Sampling • FSIS analyzes imported raw beef for E. coli 

O157:H7 and Salmonella. 

• FSIS also analyzes imported beef manufacturing 

trimmings for non-O157 STEC, which includes the 

following six O-antigen groups: O26, O45, O103, 

O111, O121, and O145. 

• FSIS analyzes imported poultry for Salmonella and 

Campylobacter. 

• FSIS analyzes imported raw pork products for 

Salmonella. 

• FSIS analyzes imported RTE and egg products for 

Lm and Salmonella. 

• FSIS analyzes imported raw meat, poultry 

products, processed products, and imported 

Siluriformes products for chemical residues. 

• Discontinue imported Siluriformes microbiological 

sampling (700 samples). 

• Realign imported Siluriformes chemical residue 

sampling based on the data (450 fewer samples). 

• Expand non-O157 STEC analysis to all raw beef 

products currently analyzed only for E. coli O157:H7. 

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Sampling by 

Program/Commodity Program Description Rationale for Any Changes from the FY 2022 Sampling Allocations 

NARMS Cecal and • FSIS analyzes cecal content from beef, swine, • Suspend NARMS veal [Bob Veal, Formula-Fed Veal, 

Expansion Project Sampling young chicken, turkeys, veal, sheep, goat, and lamb 

for the presence of Salmonella, Campylobacter, 

generic E. coli, and Enterococcus to monitor trends in 

antimicrobial resistance. 

and Non-Formula-Fed Veal] expansion sampling based 

on data (480 samples). 

• Suspend NARMS sheep expansion sampling based on 

data (100 samples). 

• Suspend NARMS lamb expansion sampling based on 

data (100 samples). 

• Suspend NARMS goat expansion sampling based on 

data (100 samples). 

Other Sampling • FSIS performs verification of species claims on 

domestic and imported product. 

• FSIS performs label verification sampling for 

certain labeling claims on domestic product. 

• No allocation changes for FY 2023. 

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Appendices A–C outline the sampling plan grouped by product group and divided by the individual 

sampling programs. Information for changes from previous years is provided in the preceding 

tables. Totals in the appendices’ tables have been rounded. Each table contains the following 

information: 

1. Planned number of samples to be analyzed in FY 2022; and 

2. Planned number of samples to be analyzed in FY 2023. 

Appendix A: Microbial Sampling Numbers by Product 

This appendix summarizes the number of samples in FSIS’ microbiological sampling program and 

presents the number of samples planned in FY 2022, and the number of samples planned to be 

analyzed in FY 2023, by product type. Raw products are presented first, beginning with beef (Table 

A2), followed by pork (Table A3), fish of the Order Siluriformes (Table A4) and poultry (Table A5). 

Ready-to-eat (RTE), not ready-to-eat (NRTE), and egg product sampling numbers are presented in 

Table A6. 

Table A1 is a quick reference guide of the microbiological analytes by various FSIS regulated 

products in FY 2022. For a more in-depth review, the tables in Appendix A contain the stratification 

of the different analytes by product classes. 

Table A1: Summary of Analyte tested by Product 

Microbiological Analyte 

NonL. E. coli O157 Indicator Salmonella 

Product Salmonella Campylobacter monocytogenes O157:H7 STEC Organisms Enumeration 

Raw Beef √ √ √1 √2 

Raw Pork √ √2 

Raw √ Siluriformes 

Raw Poultry √ √ √3 

RTE Products √ √

Egg Products √ √

1 Only domestic raw beef manufacturing trim and imported raw beef trim. All other raw beef products are tested for 

Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 only. 2 Dependent upon the program as not all beef and porkprojects are analyzed for indicator organisms. 3 Dependent upon the program as not all poultry projects are analyzed for Salmonella enumeration. 

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Table A2: FY 2022 and FY 2023 Sample Numbers for Raw Beef 

Sampling FY 2022 FY 2023 

Product Project Code Pathogen(s) Planned Planned 

Raw ground beef MT43 E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella 11,500 11,500 

Follow-up testing to a ground MT44 and E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella TBD TBD 

beef E. coli positive1 MT44T 

Raw ground beef components MT64 E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella 1,250 1,250 

other than trim 

Bench trim MT65 E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella 1,500 1,500 

Beef manufacturing trim MT60 E. coli O157:H7, Non-O157 STEC 4,000 4,000 

and Salmonella 

Beef manufacturing trim cloth MT60_CLOTH E. coli O157:H7, Non-O157 STEC 4,000 1,000 

study and Salmonella 

Follow-up testing at supplier MT52 E. coli O157:H7, Non-O157 STEC TBD TBD 

establishments following and Salmonella 

MT43, MT44, or MT65 

positive1 

Follow-up testing to an MT53 E. coli O157:H7, Non-O157 STEC TBD TBD 

MT60, MT64, MT65, or and Salmonella 

MT52 positive1 

Raw ground beef at retail stores MT05 E. coli O157:H7and Salmonella 500 500 

Follow-up testing to a MT05 MT06 E. coli O157:H7and Salmonella TBD TBD 

sample1 

Imported raw ground beef2 MT08 E. coli O157:H7and Salmonella 50 50 

Imported trim and other raw MT51 E. coli O157:H7, Non-O157 STEC 1,200 1,200 

ground beef components2 and Salmonella 

Exploratory beefcarcasses pre- MT_PSTHR Salmonella and Indicator 416 550 

evisceration3 Organisms (Aerobic Count) 

Exploratory beef carcasses post- MT_PRECH Salmonella and Indicator 416 550 

interventions3 Organisms (Aerobic Count) 

1 Dependent on positive findings from other E. coli O157:H7 or non-O157 STEC sampling projects. 2 Lab sampling for imports depends on the number of shipments received by country and the product. 

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3 Allocations for these sampling projects can fluctuate depending on how many establishments are eligible and selected 

for the project. 

Table A3: FY 2022 and FY 2023 Sample Numbers for Raw Pork 

Sampling FY 2022 FY 2023 

Product Project Code Pathogen(s) Planned Planned 

Comminuted Pork HC_PK_COM01 Salmonella and Indicator 8,640 8,640 

Organisms (Aerobic Count) 

Intact and Non-Intact Cuts HC_PK_CUT01 Salmonella and Indicator 2,400 2,400 

Organisms (Aerobic Count) 

Imported Pork1 IMP_PORK Salmonella 400 400 

1 Sampling for imports depends on the number of shipments received by country and product. 

Table A4: FY 2022 and FY 2023 Sample Numbers for Raw Siluriformes 

Sampling FY 2022 FY 2023 

Product Project Code Analyses Planned Planned 

Domestic Raw Fish of the Order EXP_FI_MIC01 Salmonella 650 0 

Siluriformes 

Imported Raw Fish of the Order IMPFISH_MI Salmonella 700 0 

Siluriformes 

Table A5: FY 2022 and FY 2023 Sample Numbers for Raw Poultry 

Sampling FY 2022 FY 2023 

Product Project Code Pathogen(s) Planned Planned 

Young ChickenCarcasses HC_CH_CARC01 Salmonella, Campylobacter, 9,630 9,630 

Salmonella Enumeration 

Ground and Other Comminuted HC_CH_COM01 Salmonella, Campylobacter 2,500 2,500 

Chicken (not Mechanically 

Separated) 

Exploratory – Mechanically EXP_CH_MSK01 Salmonella, Campylobacter, 150 150 

Separated Chicken Salmonella Enumeration 

Chicken Parts – Legs, Breasts, HC_CPT_LBW01 Salmonella, Campylobacter 16,300 16,300 

Wings 

Chicken Parts – Quarters, Halves EXP_CPT_QH01 Salmonella, Campylobacter 120 120 

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Sampling FY 2022 FY 2023 

Product Project Code Pathogen(s) Planned Planned 

Exploratory – Young Chicken 

Carcass at Rehang 

Turkey Carcasses 

Ground and Other Comminuted 

Turkey (not Mechanically 

Separated) 

Exploratory - Mechanically 

Separated Turkey 

Imported Raw Intact Chicken 

and Turkey1 

NPIS Fowl Carcass Exploratory 

Follow-up Sampling for Chicken 

Parts, Carcasses, Comminuted 

Chicken and Turkey2 

EX_CHCAR_RH1 Salmonella 

HC_TU_CARC01 Salmonella, Campylobacter 

HC_TU_COM01 Salmonella, Campylobacter 

EXP_TU_MSK01 Salmonella, Campylobacter 

IMP_POULTRY Salmonella, Campylobacter 

HC_HF_CAR01 Salmonella, Campylobacter 

F_CPT_LBW01 Salmonella 

F_CH_COM01 

F_TU_COM01 

F_CH_CARC01 

F_TU_CARC01 

4,000 800 

1,730 1,730 

1,500 1,500 

150 150 

800 800 

240 240 

TBD TBD 

1 Sampling for imports depends on the number of shipments received by country and product. 2 Dependent on findings from other Salmonella sampling results. 

Table A6: FY 2022 and FY 2023 Sample Numbers for RTE, NRTE, and Egg Products 

Sampling FY 2022 FY 2023 

Product Project Code Pathogen(s) Planned Planned 

Both postlethality-exposed and RTEPROD_RAND Lm, Salmonella 7,400 7,400 

not post lethality-exposed RTE 

products 

Postlethality-exposed RTE RTEPROD_RISK Lm, Salmonella 7,400 7,400 

products 

RLm product samples RLMPRODC Lm 422(2,110)2 422(2,110)2 

(composited 5-sample units) 

RLm food contactsurface RLMCONT Lm 4,220 4,220 

samples 

RLm non-foodcontact RLMENVC Lm 422(2,110)2 422(2,110)2 

environmental samples 

(composited 5-sample units) 

Intensified Verification Testing INTPROD Lm or Salmonella TBD TBD 

(IVT) product samples1 

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Product 

Sampling 

Project Code Pathogen(s) 

FY 2022 

Planned 

FY 2023 

Planned 

IVT food contact surface 

samples1 

INTCONT Lmor Salmonella TBD TBD 

IVT non-food contact 

environmental samples1 

INTENV Lmor Salmonella TBD TBD 

Imported intact RTE product3 IMVRTE Lm, Salmonella 3,000 3,000 

Egg Products EGG_DY_MIC01 

EGG_LQ_MIC01 

Lm, Salmonella 1,600 1,600 

Pasteurized importedliquid, 

frozen, or dried egg products 

EGGIMP Lm, Salmonella 120 120 

Abbreviations: RTE, ready-to-eat; NRTE, notready-to-eat. 

1 Dependent on positive findings from RTEPROD_RAND, RTEPROD_RISK, and RLmsampling projects. 2 The number in parenthesis represents the number of samples collected by FSIS Office of Field Operations (OFO) IPP to 

generate the composite number of samples planned. 3 Sampling for imports depends on the number of shipments received by country and product. 

19 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix B: Chemical Residue Sampling Numbers by Product 

This appendix summarizes the numbers of samples in FSIS’ chemical residue sampling program for FY 

2022 and FY 2023. Chemical residues can include both drug residues and environmental 

contaminants. Table B1 presents the number of samples by production class. Tables B2 and B3 

present the number of analyses performed by method used in each production class broken out by 

domestic and import sampling. 

Table B1: FY 2022 and FY 2023 Sample Numbers for Chemical Residues 

Sampling FY 2022 FY 2023 

Production Class Project Code Planned Planned 

Beef Cows NRP_BC 752 752 

Beef Cow – State1 NRP_BC_S 48 48 

Bob Veal NRP_BV 400 400 

Dairy Cows NRP_DC 788 788 

Dairy Cows – State1 NRP_DC_S 12 12 

Heifers NRP_HF 340 340 

Heifers – State1 NRP_HF_S 60 60 

Steer NRP_ST 328 328 

Steer – State1 NRP_ST_S 72 72 

Market Swine NRP_MS 728 728 

Market Swine – State1 NRP_MS_S 72 72 

Sows NRP_SW 788 788 

Sows – State1 NRP_SW_S 12 12 

Young Chicken NRP_YC 394 388 

Young Chicken– State1 NRP_YC_S 12 12 

Whole Chicken NRP_WC 394 0 

Young Turkey NRP_YT 788 388 

Young Turkey – State1 NRP_YT_S 12 12 

Sheep NRP_SH 100 100 

Lambs NRP_LA 100 100 

Goats NRP_GO 300 300 

Roaster Swine NRP_RS 300 300 

Veal other than bob veal (formula-fed, non- NRP_FFV, 150 150 formula fed) NRP_NFFV 

Feral Swine NRP_FS 75 75 

Egg Products NRP_EG 250 250 

Siluriformes – Domestic RES_FI 650 200 

Siluriformes – Imports2 IMPFISH_CH_E and IMPFISH_CH_W; 700 250 

IMPFISH_CH 

KISTM Test3 KIS NA NA 

20 
 

 

 

 

Sampling FY 2022 FY 2023 

Production Class Project Code Planned Planned 

KISTM Test – Laboratory Confirmation4 KIS NA NA 

Collector Generated Residues Various NA NA 

Import Residue Various 2,000 2,000 

Abbreviations: KISTM, Kidney Inhibition Swab; NA, non-applicable. 

1 FSIS updated allocationsfor State establishments, which are part of the State meat and poultry inspection program,that 

producethe same species as those at federally inspected establishments to be based off the number of qualifying 

establishments.. 

2 Siluriformes import sampling consolidated the IMPFISH_CH_E and IMPFISH_CH_W projects codes into a single new sampling 

project code, IMPFISH_CH. 

3 These KISTMtests are performed by FSIS IPP in the field and not by the laboratories. 4 FSIS IPP send positive KISTM tests to FSIS laboratories for confirmation. 

21 
 

 

 

 

Table B2: Planned Number of Chemical Residues Analysis by Production Class: Domestic Residue Plan 

Methods 

Number of 

Animals Aminoglycosides 

Antifungal 

Dyes Carbadox Metals 

Multiresidue Nitrofurans Pesticides PFAS Sulfonamides 

Beef Cows 

Bob Veal 

Dairy Cows 

800 

400 

800 

800 

400 

800 

-

-

-

-

-

-

100 

100 

100 

800 

400 

800 

-

-

-

400 

200 

400 

-

-

-

-

-

-

Heifers 400 400 - - 100 400 - 200 - -

Steers 400 400 - - 100 400 - 200 - -

Roaster Swine 

Market Swine 

300 

800 

-

800 

-

-

300 

-

-

100 

-

800 

-

-

-

400 

-

200 

-

-

Sows 800 800 - - 100 800 - 400 200 -

Feral Swine 75 - - - - 75 - 75 75 -

Young Chickens 400 400 - - 150 400 - 200 400 -

Young Turkeys 

Goats 

400 

300 

400 

300 

-

-

-

-

150 

-

400 

300 

-

-

200 

-

-

-

-

-

Siluriformes 200 - 100 - 100 200 100 100 100 -

Egg Products 

Formula-Fed Veal 

400 

75 

-

75 

-

-

-

-

-

-

250 

75 

-

-

250 

-

-

-

-

-

Non-Formula-Fed 

Veal 75 75 - - - 75 - - - -

Sheep 

Lamb 

100 

100 

100 

100 

-

-

-

-

-

-

100 

100 

-

-

50 

50 

-

-

-

-

Total 8,075 5,850 100 300 1,100 6,375 1,125 3,125 975 0 

22 
 

 

Table B3: Planned Number of Chemical Residues Analysis by Production Class: Import Residue Plan 

Methods Aminoglycosides 

Antifungal 

Dyes Avermectins Carbadox Metals 

Multiresidue Nitrofurans Pesticides PFAS Sulfonamides 

Beef, Raw 200 - - - 50 200 - 100 - -

Beef, Processed - - 25 - 12 - - - - 25 

Chicken, Raw 50 - - - 25 50 25 25 - -

Chicken, Processed - - - - 5 - - - - 5 

Turkey, Raw 40 - - - 10 40 25 25 - -

Turkey, Processed - - - - 5 - - - - 5 

Veal, Raw 70 - - - - 70 - 35 - -

Veal, Processed - - 5 - - - - - - -

Goat, Raw 25 - - - - 25 - 25 - -

Goat, Processed - - 5 - - - - - - -

Lamb, Raw 20 - - - - 20 - 10 - -

Lamb, Processed - - 5 - - - - - - -

Mutton, Raw 5 - - - - 5 - 5 - -

Mutton, Processed - - 5 - - - - - - -

Pork, Raw 200 - - - 50 200 - 100 - -

Pork, Processed - - 25 - 12 - - - - 25 

Siluriformes, Raw - 125 - - 125 250 125 125 125 -

Egg Products - - - - - - - 40 - -

Total 610 125 70 0 294 860 175 400 125 60 

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Appendix C: National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System 

(NARMS) Programs 

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 USDA focuses on two sampling points: samples 

collected from intestinal (cecal) content from food animals and carcass or food commodity samples. 

While the carcass or food commodity results are derived by co-analyzing samples collected for 

existing sampling programs, the cecal sampling program involves collection of cecal content 

samples from food animals at slaughter facilities. This appendix summarizes the number of samples 

needed to execute cecal sampling. The planned number of samples are best estimates for the 

number of samples needed to execute the cecal program based on how many expected isolates 

each sample should recover. Table C1 summarizes how resources are attributed to each 

commodity. 

Table C1: FY 2022 and FY 2023 Sample Numbers for NARMS 

Sampling FY 2022 FY 2023 

Sampling Project Description Project Code Planned Planned 

NARMS-Beef Cows NARMS_BC 456 456 

NARMS-Veal (Bob Veal, Formula-Fed Veal, and NARMS_BV,NARMS_FFV, 480 0 

Non-Formula-Fed Veal) NARMS_NFFV 

NARMS-Dairy Cows NARMS_DC 980 980 

NARMS-Heifers NARMS_HF 456 456 

NARMS-Steers NARMS_ST 1,368 1,368 

NARMS-Market Swine NARMS_MS 860 860 

NARMS-Sows NARMS_SW 410 410 

NARMS-Goat NARMS_GO 100 0 

NARMS-Lamb NARMS_LB 100 0 

NARMS-Sheep NARMS_SH 100 0 

NARMS-Young Chickens NARMS_YC 690 690 

NARMS-Young Turkeys NARMS_YT 435 435 

24 
 

 

 

 

 

Appendix D: Other Sampling Programs 

Table D1 summarizes the numbers of samples in FSIS’ sampling programs other than 

microbiological and chemical residue sampling programs for FY 2022 and FY 2023. 

Table D1: FY 2022 and FY 2023 Sample Numbers for FSIS Sampling Programs other 

than Microbiological and Chemical Residues 

Sampling FY 2022 FY 2023 

Sampling Project Description Project Code Planned Planned 

Domestic AMR – Beef1 AMR01 150 150 

Import AMR – Beef1 IMPAMRBEEF 10 10 

Follow-up AMR01 – Beef1,2 FAMR01 NA NA 

Foodborne Illness and Outbreak Sampling3,4 Various 7,000 7,000 

Label Verification for Nutrient Content – Raw EXP_LV_NUTR 200 200 

Ground Beef 

Label Verification– Allergens5 EXP_LV_SOY 200 200 

Label Verification– Antibiotic Free5 EXP_LV_ABX 400 400 

Label Verification– Hormone Free5 EXP_LV_HORM 200 200 

Species Identification– Collector Generated SPECID NA NA 

Import Species Identification IMPSPECIESID 250 250 

Food Chemistry – Collector Generated5 FOODCHEM NA NA 

Compliance Testing3,6 COMPLIAN NA NA 

Pathology – Collector Generated3,7 Various NA NA 

Import – Abnormal Container IMPABNCONT and ABNCONT NA NA 

Abbreviation: AMR, advanced meat recovery. NA, non-applicable 1 FSIS collects and analyzessamplesin regulated establishments to verify that industry is preventing beef spinal cord material 

from entering the food supply and being misrepresented as meat. If an AMR sample is positive, additional samples are assigned 

to the establishment in PHIS throughthe FAMR01 sampling. 2 Dependent on positive findings from the AMR01 sampling project. 

3 Samples for these projects are not planned in advance, but rather an inspector can collect a sample on the basis of their 

findings or other circumstances. The planned samples for the Foodborne Illness and Outbreak Sampling are a baseline of 2,000 

samples plus a calculated projected number of samples that includesthe follow-up sampling. Since follow-up sampling is 

notated as TBD throughout the appendices, this notates the allocations set aside for all follow-up sampling and outbreak events. 

Actual valuesfor follow-up sampling are located within their respective product class tables. 4 FSIS collects and analyzes food samples potentially related to foodbornedisease outbreaks. Analysesare conducted to identify 

and further characterize organisms in outbreak samples. 5 FSIS performs foodand residuechemistry analysesto identify mislabeling, economic fraud, and adulteration of meat, poultry, 

and egg products. 6 FSIS investigators collect compliance samples at in-commerce businesses on a “for-cause” basis in response to complaints, 

allegations, and observations during routine or for-cause surveillance activities. 7 FSIS carries out diagnostic and consultative pathology services to identify diseases, parasites, and related conditions in 

response to the needs of field operations. 

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Appendix E: Terms, Definitions, and References 

Terms and Definitions 

Analyses: A target detection methodology is applied to a sample based on the sampling project. 

Analytes: The target of detection in the analysis, whether for microbiological pathogens, 

chemical residues, pathology diagnoses, or other various analyses. 

Analyzed: A sample that was processed by the laboratory. 

Beef Manufacturing Trimmings: Beef parts of any size, including primal cuts, subprimal cuts, and 

smaller pieces of trimmings from subprimal cuts, that the producing slaughter establishment 

intends for raw, non-intact use. 

Bench Trim: Beef parts of any size, including primal cuts, subprimal cuts, and smaller pieces of 

trimmings from subprimal cuts, derived from animals slaughtered at another establishment 

intended for raw, non-intact use (i.e., not slaughtered onsite). 

Comminuted: Product that has been ground, mechanically separated, or mechanically or handdeboned and further chopped, flaked, minced, or otherwise processed to reduce particle 

size. 

Distributed: FSIS sampling task scheduling algorithm results in a sampling task to appear in PHIS. 

The algorithm may set to over distribute samples to compensate for predicted under 

performance in a particular sampling project. This excess distribution is often referred to as 

“over scheduling.” 

Follow-up sampling: Sampling that is a result of failed performance standards or incomplete 

moving windows or positive results. 

For-cause sampling: Sampling that occurs in response to the production of adulterated product, 

product associated with an illness outbreak, or product that has an increased risk of 

producing a public health concern (e.g., failing a performance standard or receiving a public 

health-related noncompliance record). 

Moving Window: The results from FSIS sampling over 52 consecutive Sunday-to-Saturday weeks. 

For more information on moving windows, please see 83 FR 56046. 

Performed: A sample was collected and submitted to the laboratory, and the laboratory 

analyzed the sample. 

Planned: Quantity of samples identified by the workgroup and annual FSIS Sampling Plan to be 

collected and analyzed. 

Routine Sample: Sample collected for sampling projects which are planned with predicted 

collection frequencies based on establishments’ regular operations. Positive routine samples, 

or other unpredicted events, may trigger additional sample collections whose samples would 

not be considered “routine.” 

Sampling Plan: A comprehensive annual Agency issuance (this document), which identifies the 

planned sampling programs, including statistical and policy basis, for a fiscal year. The datadriven strategic planning effort for microbiological and chemical residue sampling activities 

are aligned with the Agency’s Strategic and Annual Plan priorities. 

Sample Scheduling Frequency: The sampling frequency targeting the number of samples 

collected on an annual basis instead of focusing on specific collection rates. To collect 

samples from infrequent producing establishments and optimize the total number of 

26 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

samples collected and analyzed, FSIS adjusts the number of samples being scheduled based 

on the average number of samples collected throughout the sampling year. 

Scheduled: A sample is specifically designated a collection date by the FSIS user in PHIS. An FSIS 

user may not be able to schedule all the samples distributed to a particular establishment in 

PHIS due to factors such as eligible project availability and other inspection activities. 

Test: See Analyses definition. 

Windows: An established timeframe FSIS uses to calculate categorization. For example, poultry 

performance standards use the results from the past 52 weeks to determine an 

establishment’s category status. 

References 

Links to Agency Planning Documents 

FY 2017-2021 FSIS Strategic Plan: Food Safety and Inspection Service Strategic Plan 2017-2021 

(usda.gov) 

Past Annual Plans: Strategic Planning | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov) 

Links to Agency Sampling Plans and Programs 

Past Annual Sampling Plans: Sampling Program | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov) – 

under the Annual Sampling Reports menu 

Food Safety and Inspection Service Microbiological and Residue Sampling Programs: Report on the 

Food Safety and Inspection Service's Microbiological and Residue Sampling Programs (usda.gov) 

Links to Agency Sampling Summary Reports 

Past Annual Sampling Summary Reports: Sampling Program | Food Safety and Inspection Service 

(usda.gov) – under the Sampling Summary Reports menu 

Links to Posted Sampling Datasets 

FSIS Data Collection and Reports webpage: Sampling Results for FSIS Regulated Products | Food 

Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov) 

Links to Agency Directives 

FSIS Directive 10,400.1: Sample Collection from Cattle Under the Bovine Spongiform 

Encephalopathy (BSE) Ongoing Surveillance Program - Revision 1 | Food Safety and Inspection 

Service (usda.gov) 

FSIS Directive 5,100.4: Public Health Risk Evaluation Methodology (usda.gov) 

27 
 

 

 

 

 

FSIS Directive 10,010.1: Sampling Verification Activities for Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli 

(STEC) in Raw Beef Products - Revision 4 | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov) 

FSIS Directive 10,250.1: FSIS Directive 10,250.1 Revision 1 - Sampling Instructions Salmonella and 

Campylobacter Verification Program for Raw Poultry Products (usda.gov) 

FSIS Directive 10,250.2: Performance Standards Salmonella Verification Program for Raw Poultry 

Products | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov) 

Links to NARMS information 

CDC NARMS website: www.cdc.gov/narms/reports/ 

FDA NARMS website: 

www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/AntimicrobialResistance/NationalAntimicrobialResis 

tanceMonitoringSystem/default.htm 

USDA NARMS website: 

National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) | Food Safety and Inspection 

Service (usda.gov) 

FSIS Quarterly Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Tables: 

Microbiology | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov) 

Links to Reducing Salmonella in Poultry information 

Reducing Salmonella in Poultry | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov) 

Salmonella Framework: 

USDA Releases Proposed Regulatory Framework to Reduce Salmonella Infections Linked to 

Poultry Products | Food Safety and Inspection Service 

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