Annex D: Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7 testing for exporting to the US
As of February 21, 2020, the CFIA has obtained equivalency with the United States Department of Agriculture – Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) for Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Listeria spp. qualitative methods published in Health Canada's Compendium of Analytical Methods (CAM). These methods can be obtained from the Health Canada Compendium of Analytical Methods site. Note that the most recent published version of the method should be used. The "application" section of the method chosen must be appropriate for the intended purpose.
Industry must ensure that their laboratories and/or private accredited laboratories contracted for testing are informed of this equivalency.
Industry must inform their private laboratories that testing is submitted for a US eligible establishment and to follow these testing method(s).
Should industry wish to use other methods, they must contact the Food Safety Science Services Division (FSSSD) of the CFIA, in order for FSSSD to determine equivalency and fitness for use.
Please note the following US import requirements for sample testing sizes.
For E. coli O157 and Salmonella testing in meat products, a 325 g portion must be analyzed.
For Listeria testing in RTE meats and egg products, a 125 g portion must be analyzed. Swabs of environmental surfaces may be tested individually or composited (up to 10 swabs).
For Salmonella testing in egg products, a 100 g portion must be analysed.
In addition, FSIS will accept all methods for the above pathogens published in the USDA/FSIS Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook. Previous versions of MLG screening methods (specifically Listeria monocytogenes (8A.06), E. coli O157 (5A.04), E. coli STEC (5B.05) and Salmonella (4C.07) may continue to be used. To obtain copies of these versions of the screening methods, please contact FSIS Laboratory Quality Assurance Staff by mail or telephone:
FSIS Microbiology Section
Laboratory Quality Assurance Staff, USDA/FSIS/OPHS
950 College Station Road
Athens GA 30605
Phone: 706-546-3559
Please direct questions or comments to FSSSD at the following e-mail address: cfia.labcoordination-coordinationdeslaboratoires.acia@inspection.gc.ca
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