(NAFB) – USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection service seeks proposals from poultry processors for pilot projects that will test different control strategies for Salmonella contamination.

FSIS, in a constituent update Friday, said participating processors will experiment with new or existing pathogen control and measurement strategies and share data collected during the pilots with FSIS. The data will be analyzed to determine whether it supports changes to FSIS existing Salmonella control strategies. The agency announced in October it would be mobilizing a stronger and more comprehensive effort to reduce Salmonella illnesses associated with poultry products.

FSIS will consider proposals from all active poultry establishments, or parent corporations, that produce raw products subject to FSIS Salmonella performance standards. Key partners such as breeders, live animal producers, and allied businesses are encouraged to assist in the projects.

Proposals will consider new or existing control and measurement strategies for controlling Salmonella before and after harvesting of live birds.