A recent study by Dr. Matthew Stasiewicz at the University of Illinois indicated that regulatory concentration on high levels of known virulent Salmonella serotypes would benefit public health. To date, Salmonella standards have been based on prevalence resulting in an evident reduction in recovery from processed poultry. Unfortunately there has not been a corresponding reduction in the incidence rate of chicken-related salmonellosis among consumers.
The risk assessment concluded that specific products with high levels of pathogenic serotypes should receive attention in order to develop appropriate control modalities. Dr. Stasiewicz suggested that programs focusing on generic prevalence of Salmonella may contribute to the emergence of more pathogenic serotypes such as Salmonella Kentucky.
The risk assessment was supported by a grant from the USPOULTRY Foundation.