Quality control directors at two major poultry slaughterers have admitted an increase in water usage and concentration of chlorine has helped their plants remain in compliance with the Salmonella performance standards. They both agree the difficult challenge is meeting the zero-tolerance rule for fecal contamination. This individual knows what it's like to deal with suppliers after they find raw materials contaminated with Salmonella . This is the reason many small plants and some large ones do not perform extensive microbial testing. Dr. Emilia Rico, of BCN Laboratories, Knoxville, Tenn., agrees this has been a deterrent for the majority of companies.
Companies commonly contend increased testing leads to increased positives.
Prevention is critical for very small manufacturers, which have the least resources. These companies specialize in many classes of products as defined by F.S.I.S. and will be inspected using the same regulations as their larger counterparts. Even with all the extra help provided by government agencies, time constraints and lack of personnel will create tall hurdles for these companies. Clearly, as processors become accustomed to proactive food safety measures, the impact of the regulation will continue to change. The author is a microbiologist and senior food safety consultant for Chilton Consulting Services Table 1 .