Perspectives in the implementation of risk-based meat safety assurance system (RB-MSAS) in broiler meat production

We discuss the challenges associated with risk-based meat safety assurance system (RB-MSAS) focussed on chicken meat production. Campylobacter, Salmonella, and more recently, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), are the primary causes of foodborne illness attributed to poultry meat and pose the most significant challenges for food safety assurance systems. To achieve the goals of RB-MSAS, thorough data collection and risk assessment are essential for food business operators (FBOs). The use of harmonised epidemiological indicators (HEIs) implies a set of standardized metrics that facilitate the assessment of the distribution and determinants of health-related events in animal populations. These indicators ensure consistency and comparability of data across different contexts or geographic areas and are valuable for informing risk management decisions. Current challenges encompass the limited availability of data on Campylobacter infection prevalence, concerns related to flock uniformity, and the burden of antibiotic resistance. The failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) model should be applied to prevent non-conformity from leading to unacceptable risk levels. We also address the challenges associated with implementing risk-based meat inspection (RBMI) at the slaughterhouse, highlighting the crucial role of public veterinary officers (PVOs) in ensuring compliance with food laws and maintaining good management standards. Towards these goals, the paper emphasizes the necessity for evidence-based interventions to enhance meat safety. It also advocates for the application of failure mode and effect analysis to implement efficient corrective and preventive actions, specifically targeting non-compliance and contamination issues.