What is the purpose of the FSIS Salmonella and Campylobacter verification sampling program?

The purpose of the FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service) Salmonella and Campylobacter verification sampling program focuses largely on assessing the overall performance of establishments in terms of controlling these pathogens. While the program does involve sampling products to detect the presence of Salmonella and Campylobacter, the underlying goal is to encourage continuous improvement in food safety processes within facilities rather than solely determining the disposition of affected product lots.

Assessing the performance of establishments directs attention to the practices that prevent contamination and ensure that safety standards are upheld. This sampling program provides important information about how effectively plants manage and control possible contamination, guiding both regulatory actions and industry best practices.

The other choices highlight important concepts but don't align precisely with the primary objectives of the program. For example, identifying the source of foodborne illnesses is crucial for public health but is not the main goal of this specific program, which emphasizes monitoring establishment performance. Similarly, while knowing the disposition of positive product lots is important, the emphasis is on improving processes to minimize instances of positive results rather than just managing them after they occur. The idea of eliminating pathogens entirely from food sources is a goal of broader public health initiatives but is not a specific aim of this verification sampling program.