Assessing Effectiveness of Sanitation Programs in Egg Processing Facilities

Recent foodborne outbreak investigations have resulted in extensive sample collection in the implicated shell egg processing facilities by the investigation teams. The FDA investigation reports detail concerns about processing facility cleaning and sanitation practices. Furthermore, Salmonella Braenderup (foodborne outbreak agent) was isolated in the processing facility. In light of current events and with the shift in housing systems (previous sanitation assessment was only eggs from conventional cage housing which has been shown to have different microbial flora than extensive housing systems) there is a need to conduct a broader assessment of current shell egg processing facility sanitation program effectiveness.