United States Department of Agriculture 

Food Safety and Inspection Service

ANNUAL SAMPLING PROGRAM PLAN

Fiscal Year 2019
Introduction

 

Background

1 FY 2019 Sampling Program Plan 

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.

This report identifies changes planned for FY2019 to FSIS’ various sampling programs, and describes the Agency’s 

overall strategy for directing its sampling resources. 

FSIS Agency Planning

The FSIS published Strategic Plan for FY2017-2021 in FY2017 includes strengthening FSIS sampling programs. FSIS 

is focusing sampling efforts, in part, through utilization of strategic plan measures to: i) ensure establishments are 

meeting pathogen reduction performance standards, ii) increase the percentage of country/product combinations 

from equivalent countries tested, and iii) increase the percentage of products from domestic establishments that are 

sampled. The activities in the FY 2019 Annual Sampling plan directly align with the FSIS FY2019 Annual Plan.

In FY2018 FSIS initiated an evaluation of data collected through questionnaires in the Public Health Information 

System (PHIS) for the sampling, inspection, and enforcement forms to improve FSIS questionnaire consistency, data 

quality, standardization, and targeting, as well as to better use FSIS field inspector time and resources during sampling 

collection. Additionally, to support planning, analysis, and future decision-making related to sampling, FSIS began 

conducting an internal evaluation this year to assess its past allocation and use of domestic and import sampling 

resources to ensure that the Agency, going forward, establishes criteria for the most efficient sampling resource 

allocation. FSIS will use the evaluation results to modify future annual sampling plans as needed, help FSIS better 

manage sampling resources, as well as inform resource allocation, close sampling gaps, and maximize the public health 

benefit through prioritizing testing by degree of hazard.

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 Agency’s Public Health Information 

System (PHIS). The IPP then collect and ship the samples collected to one of three FSIS testing laboratories, where the 

sample is tested for specified analytes, a substance whose chemical constituents are being identified and measured. 

For imported product, the type of inspection verification PHIS assigns to the received product informs IPP when 

samples are to be collected and sent for laboratory analysis. The FSIS laboratories perform different tests depending 

on the sampling program for which the sample was collected. One way the Agency looks to increase efficiency is by 

increasing the number of analytes evaluated per test for the sampling collection events of FSIS’ sampling programs. 

Some sampling programs are considered routine, while others are triggered by positive test results from other 

programs or events and, as such, are not considered routine. 

It is important to note 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 period. Some of the challenges IPP face when trying 

to collect all the samples accounted for in the sampling plan are the availability of eligible products and the resources 

available to the Office of Field Operations (OFO). Additionally, some sampling tasks may not be completed because 

of other inspection priorities. Other potential reasons for discrepancies include: improvements made to the sampling 

frame throughout the year which correct for lower sampling volumes, product availability at the establishment level, 

and other unforeseen circumstances. 
 U.S. Department of Agriculture - Food Safety and Inspection Service 2

Table 1: Total Planned Number of Microbiological Analyses and Analytes Reported by Year

Planned for 2017 Planned for 2018 Planned for 2019 Difference 

(2019 - 2018)

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

Raw Beef 21,485 70,656 250,008 20,376 67,248 234,072 20,337 66,048 232,296 -39 -1,200 -1,776

Raw Pork 5,270 15,840 58,080 3,816 9,432 31,896 5,400 9,039 18,039 1,584 -393 -13,857

Raw Poultry 29,100 102,768 171,816 42,984 105,228 175,380 38,859 55,824 60,240 -4,125 -49,404 -115,140

Raw Siluriformes 300 300 300 2,460 2,460 2,460 1,660 1,660 1,660 -800 -800 -800

RTE 17,000 34,032 34,032 18,919 35,616 35,616 18,919 35,616 35,616 0 0 0

RLm 8,260 8,260 8,260 1,487 1,392 1,392 5,437 5,088 5,088 3,950 3,696 3,696

Eggs 1,725 3,456 3,456 1,752 3,504 3,504 1,750 3,504 3,504 -2 0 0

NARMS 6,408 6,408 6,408 6,408 6,408 6,408 6,408 6,408 6,408 0 0 0

Total1 89,548 241,70 532,360 98,202 231,288 490,28 98,970 183,387 363,051 568 -48,1011 -127,8771

1

 The differences between FY2018 and FY2019 plans include the following:

 - Reduction of Religious Exempt/Low volume sampling has decreased the number of tests and analytes being performed. 

 - Removal of STEC analysis from pork projects has also reduced the number of test and analytes performed. 

For these reasons the FY2019 sampling plan is based on the number of samples anticipated to be analyzed instead of those scheduled. FSIS can adjust the 

number of samples scheduled monthly to better target the number of samples collected and analyzed. FSIS targets are based on the number of annual samples 

collected as opposed to specific collection rates as not all establishments currently under FSIS sampling projects produce every eligible product every day. In 

order to collect samples from infrequent producers and optimize the total number of annual planned samples collected and analyzed, FSIS adjusts the number of 

samples being scheduled based on the average number of samples collected throughout the sampling year. The estimates for each sampling program are based 

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

Microbiological and Chemical Residue Sampling Planned Changes from FY2017 – FY2019

Tables 1 and Table 2 summarize, for microbiological and chemical residue programs, respectively, the total planned number of analyses and corresponding 

planned number of analytes tested for during FY2017, FY2018, and FY2019 by product class. Data is based on the proposed number of samples and which 

analyses were performed during the previous fiscal years. 

RTE/Eggs
Table 2: Total Planned Number of Chemical Residue Analyses and Analytes Reported by Year

U.S. Department of Agriculture - Food Safety and Inspection Service 3

Planned for 2017 Planned for 2018 Planned for 2019 Difference (2019 - 2018)

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

Tier I

Beef Cows 712 3,560 119,972 712 3,560 119,972 712 3,240 121,320 - -320 1,348

Bob Veal 356 1,780 59,986 356 1,780 59,986 356 1,620 60,660 - -160 674

Dairy Cows 712 3,560 119,972 712 3,560 119,972 712 3,240 121,320 - -320 1,348

Heifers 356 1,780 59,986 356 1,780 59,986 356 1,620 60,660 - -160 674

Steer 356 1,780 59,986 356 1,780 59,986 356 1,620 60,660 - -160 674

Sows 712 3,560 116,768 712 3,560 116,768 712 2,160 111,600 - -1,400 -5,168

Market Swine 712 3,560 118,548 712 3,560 118,548 712 2,880 119,880 - -680 1,332

Young Chickens 712 2,492 116,056 712 2,492 116,056 712 2,160 110,880 - -332 -5,176

Young Turkeys 712 2,492 116,056 712 2,492 116,056 712 2,160 110,880 - -332 -5,176

Tier II

Sheep 150 525 23,325 150 525 23,325 150 546 25,584 - 21 2,259

Goats 150 525 23,325 300 1,050 46,650 300 1,050 49,200 - 0 2,550

Roaster Swine 300 300 46,050 300 300 300 300 300 300 - - -

Bulls/Stags 100 400 15,550 100 400 15,550 100 378 17,712 - -22 2,162

Veal - Other 100 300 10,850 150 450 16,275 150 640 19,890 - 190 3,615

Egg Product - - - - - - 400 400 22,378 400 400 22,378

Tier III

Siluriformes 300 1,500 44,250 2,450 12,500 368,750 1,650 8,358 323,034 -800 -4,142 -45,716

Other

State NRP1 - - - - - - - - - - - -

Imports1 - - - - - - - - - - - -

KISTM 4,000 8,000 424,000 4,000 8,000 424,000 4,000 8,000 424,000 - - -

Total1 10,440 36,114 1,474,680 12,790 47,789 1,782,180 12,390 41,374 1,759,958 -400 -7,417 -22,222

1

 The analyses for import and State testing are driven by In-Plant and Import Personnel selection.

2

 The differences between FY2018 and FY2019 plans include the following: - Cessation of the arsenic stand-alone method 

 - Expansion of the trace elements analysis to additional slaughter classes.

 - Added egg product sampling.
 4

Significant Changes for the FY 2019 Plan

U.S. Department of Agriculture - Food Safety and Inspection Service

The format of the FY2019 Annual Sampling plan has been changed to quickly review the main goals the Agency will try 

to achieve in the upcoming fiscal year. Instead of breaking apart the activities by major analyte, the plan discusses the 

challenges presented to the Agency, where this challenge impacts and any activities that are planned to address these 

things. They are presented in Table 3, additionally, changes to the number of samples allocated to the various projects 

are addressed in Table 4. The following table consists of key activities FSIS plans to implement in FY2019. Each line 

consists of the challenges that the Agency faces moving into FY2019, what process is impacted and the objective(s) to 

achieve during the fiscal year.

Table 3: FY 2019 Priorities

Inciting Cause or Challenge

Impacted Sampling 

Related Process or 

Analyte

FY 2019 Planned Agency Goal, Target Objective, or Activity

Prior Fiscal Year (FY) Annual 

Sampling Plan target sampling 

numbers were continually over 

or under the estimated intended 

number of samples to be analyzed in 

the FY relative to the actual number 

analyzed

Sampling resource 

planning and 

allocation

• Continue a quarterly review of routine sampling to determine if the 

sampling rates continue to perform on target.

To support planning, analysis, and 

future decision-making related to 

sampling

Sampling resource 

planning and 

allocation

• Incorporate the findings and recommendations from the evaluation 

results of the Strategic Assessment of Sampling Resources to modify 

future annual sampling plans as needed, help FSIS better manage 

sampling resources, as well as inform resource allocation, close sampling 

gaps, and maximize the public health benefit through prioritizing testing 

by degree of hazard.

Agency implementation of Poultry 

Pathogen Performance Standards as 

identified in the Federal Register 81 

FR 7285

Salmonella and 

Campylobacter

• Evaluate Raw Poultry Performance Standard follow-up sampling 

projects results 

Implementation for Siluriformes 

Domestic and Import inspection 

verification.

Salmonella • Continue to implement all relevant Siluriformes inspection verification 

activities in all FSIS Inspected establishments.

• Import sampling for Siluriformes includes routine and follow up 

sampling, as necessary. 

Agency transition from Pulse Field 

Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) to Whole 

Genome Sequencing pathogen characterization.

Pathogen result 

assessments and 

Establishment Quarterly Letters

• Assess project sampling results utilizing WGS characterization, 

including specifying if the Risk-based Listeria Monocytogenes (RLM) 

results are indicative of cross contamination or harborage.

• Revise Quarterly Letter content to reflect agency utilization of WGS and 

assessments.

• Plan to move to WGS rather than PFGE for Campylobacter, STEC and 

Salmonella. 

Changes to the National Residue 

Program (NRP)

Pesticides • In FY2018, FSIS extended the multi-residue pesticide method to egg 

products so that analysis can begin in FY2019.

Trace minerals • In FY2018, FSIS suspended the analysis of trace metals since there were 

no significant detection. FSIS has now extended the trace metals method 

to include the analyte, arsenic. 

• FSIS will extend trace metals analysis from only Siluriformes products 

to include beef, pork, goats, and sheep, and discontinue analysis of 

arsenic as a single issue method. 

• The Agency plans to evaluate the results of the trace minerals analysis.

Arsenic

Commitment with FDA and USDA 

ARS to collect FSIS products for ARS 

dioxin residue analysis every five 

years; last sampling survey occurred 

in 2013.

Dioxin • Continue IPP collection of domestic beef, pork, poultry, and 

Siluriformes products for the 12 month ARS dioxin analysis study which 

began June 1, 2018.
Table 4 contains the rationale for changes in sampling number allocations between FY2018 and FY2019 sampling plans. Each row consists of where the change will 

occur in the sampling program, a description of that program and the Agency’s reasoning for the changes

Sampling Program Program Description Rationale for Any Changes from the FY 2018 Sampling Allocation

E. coli O157:H7 and 

non-O157 Shiga 

toxin-producing E. 

coli (STEC)

• FSIS conducts STEC sampling projects for product produced in domestic 

establishments, imported products, and raw ground beef collected at retail. 

• Raw non-intact beef products and raw beef products intended for raw nonintact use are eligible for sampling, including ground beef, bench trim, beef 

manufactured trimmings, and other raw ground beef components.

• FSIS analyzes all raw beef samples collected under the routine and follow-up 

sampling programs for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella.

• FSIS analyzes domestic and imported beef manufacturing trimmings for 

non-O157 STEC, which includes the following six O-antigen groups: O26, O45, 

O103, O111, O121, and O145.

• Increase in the MT64 (sampling for Raw ground beef components 

other than trim) project stems from the successful implementation of 

FSIS Notice 38-12 (product group changes), which improved sample 

testing percentages from 40% to 70%.

• Decrease of samples allotted for imported other raw ground beef 

components and trim aligns the project with the volume seen in 

FY2018 while maintaining sampling rate.

Salmonella and 

Campylobacter

• FSIS analyzes young chicken and turkey carcasses, comminuted chicken and 

turkey, and chicken part samples for Salmonella and Campylobacter. 

• For raw beef products, FSIS analyzes all raw beef samples, including raw 

ground beef, bench trim, beef manufactured trimmings, and other raw ground 

beef components for Salmonella. 

• FSIS analyzes raw fish of the order Siluriformes and Ready-To-Eat (RTE) meat, 

egg product, and poultry product samples for Salmonella.

• FSIS is conducting the sampling program Raw Pork Exploratory Sampling 

Project (RRESP) to analyze raw intact, non-intact, and comminuted domestic 

pork for Salmonella.

• Imported raw pork products are analyzed for Salmonella.

• Decrease in sample allocations for Salmonella Poultry Performance 

Standard sampling projects, Low Volume and Religious Exempt 

projects to better align with the actual collection rates in FY 2018.

• Increase sample allocation for Salmonella Follow Up Poultry 

Performance Standard (parts and comminuted) sampling projects since 

projects were implemented halfway through FY 2018.

• Decrease of samples allotted for imported poultry products aligns 

the project with the import volume seen in FY2018 while maintaining 

sampling rate.

• No changes in allocations for other raw poultry products.

• Increase in samples allotted for all RRESP projects to return the 

allotments back to the original scope of phase II sampling.

• Decrease of samples allotted for imported pork products aligns the 

project with the seen in FY2018 while maintaining sampling rate.

• Import sampling for Siluriformes includes routine and follow up 

sampling, as necessary. The decrease in allocations were due to 

adjustments in volume imported.

Table 4: Rationale for Changes in Sampling Allocations

5 FY 2019 Sampling Program Plan
U.S. Department of Agriculture - Food Safety and Inspection Service 6

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

Sampling Program Program Description Rationale for Any Changes from the FY 2018 Sampling 

Allocation

Ready To Eat 

(RTE): Listeria 

monocytogenes (Lm) 

and Salmonella: 

Meat, Poultry, and 

Egg Products

• FSIS conducts microbiological testing for Lm and Salmonella in both 

domestically produced and imported egg products.

• Product sampling is scheduled every month under random sampling and riskbased sampling projects under 2 RTEPROD projects.

• Risk-based Listeria monocytogenes (RLM) sampling program identifies 

establishments producing post-lethality exposed RTE product. Samples, 

consisting of product, contact surfaces, and the processing environment, are 

collected and sampled for Lm under 3 RLM project codes.

• Intensified Verification Testing (IVT) is carried out whenever an establishment 

has a positive sample collected under the RLM sampling program projects, or 

either one of the RTEPROD sampling projects. 

• The increase in the number of samples collected for FY2019 

RLM sampling is adjusted to a 25% reduction from the FY2017 

Sampling Plan, which was the intended adjustment for the 

FY2018 Sampling Plan.

Chemistry and 

Residues

• The National Residue Program (NRP) product sampling numbers are 

determined through the Surveillance Advisory Team meeting. This meeting is 

held by an interagency committee that determines the chemical compounds 

and production classes of public health concern. The Tier 1 sampling plan is 

the scheduled sampling for slaughter subclasses at the time of slaughter, after 

they have passed ante mortem inspection. Tier 2 sampling plan is in response 

to information (obtained by FDA and EPA and provided to FSIS) about potential 

misuse of animal drugs and/or exposure to environmental chemicals, as well 

as in response to Tier 1 analytical result. Tier 3 sampling is similar to Tier 2 

sampling except that it is applied at the herd or flock level. 

 (Please see the "Other Projects" Table for a description of the NARMs residue 

sampling project.)

• FSIS analyzes imported products and domestic and imported Siluriformes 

products for chemical residues and speciation.

• FSIS Inspection Personnel perform inspector generated sampling in livestock 

slaughter species as per FSIS Directive 10,800.1. As per this same directive, a 

positive sample is submitted to the FSIS laboratory for confirmatory testing.

• IPP collect of domestic beef, pork, poultry, and Siluriformes products for the 

12 month ARS dioxin analysis study which began June 1, 2018 as a commitment 

with FDA and USDA ARS to collect FSIS products for ARS dioxin residue analysis 

every five years

• New NRP projects with increased allocations are based on FDA 

and EPA analysis of exposure risk.

• Increase for the yearlong Dioxin Survey sampling project 

implemented June 1, 2018.

• Reallocate import residue sampling with a focus on sampling 

assigning more residue samples to raw products than processed 

products. Decrease samples allotted for import residue sampling 

aligns the projects with the volume seen in FY2018 while 

maintaining sampling rates.

• Import sampling for Siluriformes includes routine and follow 

up sampling, as necessary. The decrease in allocations were due 

to adjustments in volume imported.

NARMS and Residue 

Pilot program 

(RESNARMS)

As part of a paired sampling task, FSIS collects tissues for residue analysis from 

the same dairy cow or chicken flock from which a NARMS cecal sample was 

collected.

• This program completed one year of data collection and is 

pending additional data analysis to determine if this program 

will expand to other species.
 7 FY 2019 Sampling Program Plan 

Appendix A: Microbial Sampling Numbers by Product

Table 5 is a quick reference guide of the microbiological analytes by various FSIS regulated products in FY2019. For 

a more in-depth review, the tables in the “Sampling by Product” section contain the stratification of the different 

analytes by product classes.

Table 5 Summary of Analyte Tested by Product

Microbiological Analyte

Product Salmonella Campylobacter L. monocytogenes E. coli

O157:H7

Non-O157 

STEC

Indicator 

Organisms

Raw Beef x x x1

Raw Pork x x x x

Raw Siluriformes x

Raw Poultry x x x2

RTE Product x x

Egg Products x x

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 poultry projects are analyzed for indicator organisms.

This appendix summarizes the numbers of samples in FSIS’ microbiological sampling program, and presents the 

number of samples planned and actually analyzed in FY2018, and the number of samples planned to be analyzed in 

FY2019, by product type. Raw products are presented first, beginning with beef (Table A1), followed by pork (Table 

A2), fish of the order Siluriformes (Table A3) and Poultry (Table A4). Ready-to-eat, not-ready-to-eat and egg product 

sampling numbers are presented in Table A5.

Appendices A-C outline the sampling plan grouped by product group and broken out by the individual sampling 

programs. Information for changes from previous years is provided in the preceding tables to the appendices. Totals 

in the appendices tables have been rounded. Each table contains the following information:

1. Planned number of samples to be analyzed in FY2018; 

2. Number of samples actually analyzed in FY2018; and

3. Planned number of samples to be analyzed in FY2019.
 U.S. Department of Agriculture - Food Safety and Inspection Service 8

Table A-1: FY2018 and FY2019 Sample Numbers for Raw Beef

Number of Samples 

FY2018

Number of 

Samples 

FY2019

Product Class Sampling 

Project Pathogen(s) Planned Actual Planned

Raw ground beef MT43 E. coli O157:H7 and 

Salmonella

11,500 11,035 11,500

Follow-up testing to a ground beef

E. coli positive1

MT44 and 

MT44T

E. coli O157:H7 and 

Salmonella

TBD - TBD

Raw ground beef components 

other than trim

MT64 E. coli O157:H7 and 

Salmonella

600 1,170 1,050

Bench trim MT65 E. coli O157:H7 and 

Salmonella

1,500 1,206 1,500

Beef manufacturing trim MT60 E. coli O157:H7, 

non-O157 STEC, and 

Salmonella

3,750 3,737 3,750

Follow-up testing at supplier 

establishments following MT43, 

MT44, or MT65 positive1

MT52 E. coli O157:H7, 

non-O157 STEC, and 

Salmonella

TBD 59 TBD

Follow-up testing to an MT60, 

MT64, MT65, or MT52 positive1

MT53 E. coli O157:H7, 

non-O157 STEC, and 

Salmonella

TBD 601 TBD

Raw ground beef at retail stores MT05 E. coli O157:H7 and 

Salmonella

575 557 575

Follow-up testingto a MT05 

sample 1

MT06 E. coli 0157:H7 and 

Salmonella

TBD 0 TBD

Imported raw ground beef 2 MT08 E. coli 0157:H7 and 

salmonella

50 35 50

Imported trim and other raw 

ground beef components 2

MT51 E. coli 0157:H7, 

Non-0157 STEC and 

Salmonella

2,000 1,003 1,500

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 import frequency for these products.
 9 FY 2019 Sampling Program Plan 

Table A-2: FY2018 and FY2019 Samples Numbers for Raw Pork

Number of Samples 

FY2018

Number of 

Samples 

FY2019

Product Class Sampling 

Project Pathogen(s) Planned Actual Planned

Comminuted Pork Exploratory 

Sampling

EXP_PK_

COM02

Salmonella 

and Indicator 

Organisms

1,120 1,665 1,704

Intact Pork Cuts Exploratory 

Sampling

EXP_PK_

ICT02

Salmonella 

and Indicator 

Organisms

840 1,315 1,521

Non- Intact Pork Cuts Exploratory 

Sampling

EXP_PK_

NCT02

Salmonella 

and Indicator 

Organisms

840 1,193 1,272

Imported Pork 1 IMP_PORK Salmonella 1,000 384 900

1

 The number of samples taken for imports depends on the import frequency for these products.

Table A3: FY2018 and FY2019 Sample Numbers for Raw Siluriformes 

Number of Samples 

FY2018

Number of 

Samples 

FY2019

Product Class Sampling Project Analyses Planned Actual Planned

Domestic Raw fish of the order 

Siluriformes

EXP_FI_MIC01 Salmonella 650 611 650

Imported Raw fish of the order 

Siluriformes 1

IMPFISH_MI Salmonella 1,800 223 1,000

1

 Lab sampling for imported Siluriformes depends on the frequency in which these products are imported; a lower number of 

shipments were received for these products.

Table A4: FY2018 and FY2019 Sample Numbers for Raw Poultry

Number of Samples 

FY2018

Number of 

Samples 

FY2019

Product Class Sampling Project Pathogen(s) Planned Actual Planned

Young Chicken Carcasses HC_CH_CARC01 Salmonella, 

Campylobacter 

10,000 9,207 9,000

Ground and Other Comminuted 

Chicken (not Mechanically 

Separated)

HC_CH_COM01 Salmonella, 

Campylobacter 

2,500 1,895 2,500

Exploratory - Mechanically 

Separated Chicken

EXP_CH_MSK01 Salmonella, 

Campylobacter 

150 105 150

Chicken Parts – Legs, Breasts, 

Wings

HC_CPT_LBW01 Salmonella, 

Campylobacter 

8,000 7,860 9,000

Chicken Parts – Other Parts EXP_CPT_OT01 Salmonella, 

Campylobacter 

360 332 360

Chicken Parts – Quarters, Halves EXP_CPT_QH01 Salmonella, 

Campylobacter 

120 109 120
 U.S. Department of Agriculture - Food Safety and Inspection Service 10

Table A4: FY2018 and FY2019 Sample Numbers for Raw Poultry Continued...

Number of Samples 

FY2018

Number of 

Samples 

FY2019

Product Class Sampling Project Pathogen(s) Planned Actual Planned

Turkey Carcasses HC_TU_CARC01 Salmonella, 

Campylobacter 

2,000 1,936 2,000

Ground and Other 

Comminuted Turkey (not 

Mechanically Separated)

HC_TU_COM01 Salmonella, 

Campylobacter 

1,500 1,467 1,500

Exploratory - Mechanically 

Separated Turkey

EXP_TU_MSK01 Salmonella, 

Campylobacter 

150 99 150

Imported Raw Intact Chicken 

and Turkey 

IMP_POULTRY Salmonella, 

Campylobacter 

1,000 551 900

Religious exempt 

establishments

RE_CH_CARC01 Salmonella, 

Campylobacter 

6,600 2,005 360

Low Volume Establishments LO_CH_CARC01

LO_TU_CARC01

LO_CH_COM01

LO_TU_COM01

LO_CH_MSK01

LO_TU_MSK01

LO_CPT_LBW01

LO_CPT_OT01

LO_CPT_QH01

Salmonella, 

Campylobacter 

2,200

Follow-up Sampling for 

Chicken Parts, Carcasses, 

Comminuted Chicken and 

Turkey1

F_CPT_LBW01

F_CH_COM01

F_TU_COM01

F_CH_CARC01

F_TU_CARC01

Salmonella, 

Campylobacter 

TBD 2,634 TBD

1

 Dependent on findings from other Salmonella and Campylobacter projects.
 11 FY 2019 Sampling Program Plan 

Table A5: FY2018 and FY2019 Sample Numbers for RTE, NRTE and Egg Products

Number of Samples 

FY2018

Number of Samples 

FY2019

Product Class Sampling 

Project Pathogen(s) Planned Actual Planned

Both post lethality-exposed 

and non-post lethality-exposed 

RTE products

RTEPROD_

Rand

Lm and Salmonella 7,400 7,089 7,400

Post lethality-exposed RTE 

products

RTEPROD_

Risk

Lm and Salmonella 7,400 7,974 7,400

RLm product samples 

(composited 5-sample units)

RLMPRODC Lm 115 (575)2 335 423 (2,125)2

RLm food contact surface 

samples

RLMCONT Lm 1,150 3,283 4,218

RLm non-food contact 

environmental samples 

(composited 5-sample units)

RLMENVC Lm 115 (575)2 331 423 (2,125)2

Intensified Verification Testing 

(IVT) product samples1

INTPROD Lm or Salmonella TBD 480 TBD

IVT food contact surface 

samples1

INTCONT Lm or Salmonella TBD 970 TBD

IVT non-food contact 

environmental samples1

INTENV Lm or Salmonella TBD 543 TBD

Imported intact RTE product IMVRTE Lm & Salmonella 3,000 2,942 3,000

Follow-up testing to imported 

RTE product

FLISTERIA Lm TBD 34 TBD

Follow-up testing to imported 

RTE product

FRTESALMONELSalmonella TBD 0 TBD

Egg products EM31-EM37 Lm and Salmonella 1,600 1,693 1,600

Pasteurized imported liquid, 

frozen, or dried egg products

EGGIMP Lm and Salmonella 150 104 150

Abbreviations: NRTE, not-ready-to-eat; RTE, ready-to-eat.

1

 Dependent on positive findings from RTEPROD_RAND, RTEPROD_RISK, and RLm sampling projects

2

 The number in parenthesis represents the number of samples collected by OFO to generate 1 composite sample submission.
 U.S. Department of Agriculture - Food Safety and Inspection Service 12

Appendix B: Chemical Residue Sampling Numbers by Product

This appendix summarizes the numbers of samples in FSIS’ chemical residue sampling program for FY2018 and 

FY2019. Table B1 presents the number of samples by production class. Table B2 presents the testing method used in 

each production class.

Table B-1: FY2018 and FY2019 Sample Numbers for Chemical Residues

Number of Samples 

FY2018

Number of 

Samples FY2019

Production Class Sampling Project Planned Actual Planned

Beef Cows NRP_BC 712 782 712

Bob Veal NRP_BV 356 328 356

Dairy Cows NRP_DC 712 833 712

Heifers NRP_HF 356 369 356

Steer NRP_ST 356 387 356

Market Swine NRP_MS 712 744 712

Sows NRP_SW 712 639 712

Young Chicken NRP_YC 712 696 712

Young Turkey NRP_YT 712 747 712

Sheep NRP_SH 150 168 150

Goats NRP_GO 300 332 300

Roaster Swine NRP_RS 300 309 300

National Residue Program State Residues1 Various 700 482 660

Bulls/Stags NRP_BS 100 171 100

Veal other than bob veal NRP_HC, NRP_FFV, NRP_NFFV 100 158 150

Feral Swine NRP_FS 100 77 75

Egg Products NRP_EG NA NA 400

Siluriformes - Domestic RES_FI 650 636 650

Siluriformes - Imports5 IMPFISH_CH_E and IMPFISH_CH_W 1,800 582 1,000

Dioxin Survey DIOX_18_xx4 610 - 610

KISTM Test2 KIS NA 179,503 NA

KISTM Test - Laboratory Confirmation3 KIS NA 3,841 NA

Collector Generated Residues Various NA 197 NA

Import Residues Various 3,000 2,823 2,000

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

1

 FSIS schedules 11% of the total samples per year for state establishments, which are part of the MPI program, who produce the same 

species as those at federally-inspected establishments.

2

 KISTM tests are performed by OFO in the field and not by laboratories.

3

 FSIS IPP send positive KISTM tests to FSIS laboratories for confirmation.

4

 FSIS will conduct the Dioxin survey on poultry (YC – young chicken; YT – young turkey), pork (MH – market hogs) and beef (STHR – 

steers and heifers) products. The “xx” indicated above will be replaced by the two letter identifier in the parenthesis for each product 

group of this note, or an alternate project code may be implemented, the ARS labs will be performing the analysis of these samples.

5

 Lab sampling for imported Siluriformes depends on the frequency in which these products are imported, a lower number of 

shipments were received for these products. 
U.S. Department of Agriculture - Food Safety and Inspection Service 13

Table B-2: Chemical Residues Tested by Production Class

Tier 1: Production Class Tier 2: Production Class Tier 3

Methods Beef 

Cows

Dairy 

Cows Steers Heifers Bob Veal

Market 

Swine

Market 

Sows

Young 

Chicken

Young 

Turkey Goats Sheep

NonBob 

Veal

Bull Roster 

Swine

Feral 

Swine

Egg 

Products Siluriformes

Multi-class x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Aminoglycoside x x x x x x x x x x x

Pesticides x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Metals x x x x x x x x x x

B-agonists x x x x x x x

Carbadox x

Nitrofurans x x x

Antifungal Dyes x
 14 FY 2019 Sampling Program Plan 

Appendix C: Other Sampling Programs

Table C1 in this appendix summarizes the numbers of samples in FSIS’ sampling programs other than microbiological 

and chemical residue sampling programs for FY2018 and FY2019.

Table C-1: FY2018 and FY2019 Sample Numbers for FSIS Sampling Programs other than

Microbiological and Chemical Residues 

Number of Samples 

FY2018

Number of 

Samples FY2019

Sampling Project Sampling Project Planned Actual Planned

Domestic AMR - Beef1 AMR01 150 101 150

Import AMR - Beef1 IMPAMRBEEF 10 0 10

Follow-up AMR01 - Beef 1,2 FAMR01 NA 40 NA

NARMS Sampling for Enteric Bacteria NARMS 6,400 6,486 6,400

NARMS Sampling for Residues on Dairy Cows9 RESNARMS_DC 1,280 869 0

NARMS Sampling for Residues on Young Chickens9 RESNARMS_YC 768 620 0

Foodborne Illness and Outbreak Sampling 3,4 Various 7,000 449 7,000

Label Verification for Nutrient Content - Raw 

Ground Beef

EXP_LV_NUTR 200 121 200

Label Verification - Allergens5 EXP_LV_SOY 200 12 200

Label Verification - Antibiotic Free5 EXP_LV_ABX 400 70 400

Label Verification - Hormone Free5 EXP_LV_HORM 200 23 200

Species Identification - Collector Generated SPECID NA 2 NA

Import Species Identification IMPSPECIESID 250 155 250

Food Chemistry - Collector Generated6 FOODCHEM NA 3 NA

Compliance Testing 3,7 COMPLIAN NA 151 NA

Pathology - Collector Generated 3,8 Various NA 3,480 NA

Import - Abnormal Container IMPABNCONT and ABNCONT NA 10 NA

Abbreviations: AMR, Advanced Meat Recovery; NARMS, National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System

1

 FSIS collects samples in regulated establishments to test for AMR processes 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 through the 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 in the field can collect a sample on the basis of 

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

samples plus a calculated projected number of samples that includes the follow-up sampling. Follow-up sampling actual values are 

located within their respective product class tables.

4

 FSIS collects and analyzes food samples potentially related to human disease outbreaks. Analyses include cultural and molecular 

methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), PFGE, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and molecular serotyping to identify and 

further characterize organisms in outbreak samples.

5

 FSIS implemented several other Label Verification programs in FY2018 which were originally scheduled to begin in FY2016.

6

 FSIS performs food chemistry analyses such as moisture, protein, fat, and testing for the presence of food additives to identify 

mislabeling, economic fraud, and adulteration of meat, poultry, and egg products

7

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

allegations, and their own observations during routine or for-cause surveillance activities.

8

 FSIS carries out diagnostic and consultative pathology services to identify diseases, parasites, and related conditions in response to 

the needs of field operations.

9

 These projects gather data to determine if there is a link between antimicrobial resistance and drug use in animals.
 15 FY 2019 Sampling Program Plan 

Appendix D: 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 it is for microbiological pathogens, chemical residues, 

pathology diagnoses or other various analyses.

Analyzed - A sample was processed by the laboratory.

Beef Manufacturing Trimmings - product trimmings produced from cattle slaughtered onsite. 

Bench Trim - product trimmings derived from cattle not slaughtered onsite (i.e., purchased product).

Comminuted - product that has been ground, mechanically separated, or hand- or mechanically deboned 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 in order 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 standards or moving windows.

Performed - A sample was collected and submitted to the laboratory.

Planned - Quantity of samples identified by the workgroup and annual FSIS Sampling Plan.

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 gaps - The difference in the desired number of samples or products samples and the actual quantity 

analyzed. 

Sampling Plan - Annual agency reissuance of the FSIS Report on the Food Safety and Inspection Service 

Microbiological and Residue Sampling Programs, first issued in December 2011, and comprehensively identifies 

sampling programs, including statistical and policy basis. The data-driven 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. In order to collect samples from infrequent producers and 

optimize the total number of 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. A FSIS user may not be 

able to schedule all of the samples distributed to a particular establishment due to factors such as eligible project 

availability and assignment operations.
 U.S. Department of Agriculture - Food Safety and Inspection Service 16

References

Please see the following website for more information on Food Safety and Inspection Service Microbiological and 

Residue Sampling Programs:

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/0816b926-c7ee-4c24-9222-34ac674ec047/FSIS_Sampling_Programs_

Report.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

To review past Annual sampling plans, please see the following website for more information: 

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/data-collection-and-reports/fsis-data-analysis-and-reporting/datareporting

Please see the following website for more information on the FY2017-2021 FSIS Strategic Plan: 

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/317d14d6-1759-448e-941a-de3cbff289e5/Strategic-Plan-2017-2021.

pdf?MOD=AJPERES

For more information about FSIS’ role in sample collection for BSE, please see FSIS Directive 10,400.1: https://www.

fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/09bf6ed8-1e4b-4ef5-a3e1-fa454b116b8e/10400.1.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

Additional data for NARMS can be found at the following:

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

FDA website: www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/AntimicrobialResistance/

NationalAntimicrobialResistanceMonitoringSystem/ucm059089.htm

USDA website:

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/data-collection-and-reports/microbiology/antimicrobial-resistance/

narms
FSIS CORE VALUES

ACCOUNTABLE

FSIS holds itself accountable in fulfilling its regulatory 

mission and in serving the public interest.

COLLABORATIVE

FSIS actively promotes and encourages collaboration 

within our agency and with our partners to prevent 

illness and protect public health.

EMPOWERED

FSIS employees are empowered with the necessary 

training, tools, and approaches they need to make and 

carry out informed decisions that protect public health 

and promote food safety.

SOLUTIONS-ORIENTED

FSIS is committed to deploying effective, 

evidence-based solutions to ensure that the Nation’s 

food supply is safe.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and 

policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs 

are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender 

expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public 

assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity 

conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by 

program or incident. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large 

print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at 

(202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, 

program information may be made available in languages other than English. 

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found 

online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and 

provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 

(866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office 

of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; 

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. 

November 2018