031010 FSIS Boosts Salmonella Detection EfficiencyOctober 10, 2003The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service said it has adopted the BAX system to screen for Salmonella in raw meat and poultry products. FSIS said the measure will increase efficiency and allow the agency to protect public health better. FSIS has determined that the BAX system is as sensitive as the current method of detecting Salmonella in raw meat and poultry products, but it reduces the reporting time for negative samples by one to two days. FSIS has been using the BAX screening system for Salmonella in ready-to-eat meat, poultry and pasteurized egg products since February and for Listeria monocytogenes since April 2002. Three FSIS field service laboratories analyzed the BAX system to determine if it would be beneficial to the agency. The laboratories evaluated about 314 random poultry and meat samples. The official confirmation analysis method was used to confirm that the BAX system was as accurate as the current method, while also reducing reporting time. FSIS says it is planning this year to evaluate the BAX system to screen samples for E.coli O157:H7.
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