During 2022, the US Food and Drug Administration will issue a series of guidance documents relating to food production, public health and related topics.  Of interest to the egg industry will be a document entitled Prevention of Salmonella Enteritis in shell eggs during production, storage and transportation. The update is intended to consider flocks with access to areas outside the poultry house.  The update is expected to include FAQs regarding the amended final rule.

The Guidance for the Industry document should make interesting reading given that Salmonella serovars including SE will remain viable in soil for periods in excess of a year especially if soil is moist and contains biological material found near the perimeter of houses where flocks congregate or in the vicinity of feeders or drinkers in pastures or with inadequate drainage.

It is hoped that the Guidance Document takes into account the realities of commercial production.  In past years we have been faced with a conflict that FDA considers an aperture in the structure of a chicken house larger than one inch in diameter as a hazard for entry of mice.  The USDA organic rule relating to outside access requires, at the discretion of auditors, large openings to allow outside access by flocks.

The FDA does not have a good record in executing their responsibilities.  Regulations relating to the Final Rule On Prevention of Salmonella were late, ignored the benefit of vaccination and the initial FDA auditors were untrained, slow and incompetent.  The FDA has failed to develop regulations that would prevent E.coli contamination of irrigation water used to produce leafy greens. There is also evidence that the FDA is not maintaining adequate inspection of imported foods or surveillance of pharmaceutical plants in Asia producing a high proportion of the drugs consumed in the U.S.

Food safety in the U.S will always be compromised by the split jurisdiction between FDA and USDA. EGG-NEWS has consistently favored a single food safety agency staffed with competent scientists and administrators and with trained personnel capable of addressing all aspects of food production, importation and distribution through to point of sale.  Comprehensive food safety agencies are functioning adequately to the benefit of consumers in many nations including our neighbor to the north.

Let us hope that the FDA has consulted with professionals in the industry and academia before releasing a draft document for comment.