On February 16, 2022, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) published its proposed pathogen reduction performance standards to address Salmonella in raw comminuted pork and raw pork cuts.

FSIS notes that there have been several outbreaks of Salmonella attributed to pork, suggesting that raw pork is a continuing health concern. Since 2013, FSIS has committed to a 25% reduction in annual cases of salmonellosis attributed to the products it regulates.

The agency is proposing two pathogen reduction standards – one for raw comminuted pork and another for intact and non-intact raw pork cuts, as sampling suggests that the two classes differ in Salmonella contamination. FSIS intends to collect and analyze 52 samples per year for each establishment that is subject to the performance standards. Beginning one year after the standards are finalized, FSIS will post each establishment’s performance category based on the most recent 52 Salmonella sample results.

FSIS is seeking input on the proposed standards and will accept comments until April 18, 2022.