What actions describe the Agency's response when an establishment fails a Salmonella performance standard in carcasses?

• A. Discuss performance standard failure with establishment management and issue MOI
• B. PHIS will increase FSIS sampling frequency until the performance standard is met
• C. IPP will verify HACCP corrective actions and possible HACCP reassessment
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

When an establishment fails the Salmonella performance standard for carcasses, the Agency responds with a multi-pronged approach to both address the immediate issue and prevent recurrence. First, FSIS discusses the failure with the establishment’s management and issues a Memorandum of Intervention, which lays out required corrective actions, timelines, and follow-up steps. This ensures the establishment clearly understands what must be fixed and by when. At the same time, data collection intensifies: the Public Health Information System is used to increase sampling frequency so there is more data to confirm whether the standard is being met moving forward. Finally, the Inspection Program Personnel verify that the HACCP corrective actions are properly implemented and may require a reassessment of the HACCP plan if the root causes persist or the corrective actions aren’t effective. Together, these actions—communication and guidance, intensified monitoring, and HACCP verification—fully describe the Agency’s response.