USDA Carcass Swab Testing Program
Great Plains Analytical Laboratory Carcass Excision and Carcass Swab Program
Under the Pathogen Reduction/HACCP Regulation, all slaughter establishments are required to collect samples from the type of livestock or poultry that it slaughters in largest number and test these samples for generic Escherichia coli (E. coli) – Biotype I). The purpose of this requirement is to have slaughter establishments use microbiological testing as a process control tool for measuring the effectiveness of their sanitation and dressing procedures.
The sampling frequency for E. coli testing is determined by the facility’s production volume. A very low volume establishment will sample the predominant species once per week beginning the first full week of operation after June 1, until at least 13 test results have been obtained or the following June 1, whichever is first. The establishment will repeat the same sampling regime once per year, beginning the first full week of operation after June 1.
If a very low volume establishment is using the excised-sample technique and is slaughtering a type of livestock for which performance criteria have been determined, the establishment must continue sampling once per week until results show that it has met the m/M criteria outlined in the Pathogen Reduction/HACCP Regulation.
The required minimum testing frequencies for all but very low production volume establishments are shown in Table 1 by type of livestock. An establishment only needs to sample the predominant species when two or more species are slaughtered.
Table 1. E. coli Testing Frequencies for large volume facilities
- Cattle – 1 test per 300 carcasses, or at least 1 test per week
- Swine – 1 test per 1,000 carcasses, or at least 1 test per week
Great Plains Analytical Lab will help you in every aspect of your carcass program. We supply the sampling kits, as well as the shipping materials to facilitate sending your samples in.
