What is the purpose of performance criteria and statistical process control?

• A. They set mandatory standards for fecal contamination
• B. They replace all regulatory standards
• C. Performance criteria provide guidance; SPS is used to develop own criteria when Agency has not developed criteria
• D. They apply to poultry only

Answer: (C)

Performance criteria and statistical process control are about guiding how a process should perform and then tracking it to maintain that performance over time. Performance criteria provide targeted expectations for how a process should operate, offering guidance on acceptable outcomes. Statistical process control (SPC) gives a data-driven method to monitor the process, identify variation, and keep it in control. When the Agency hasn’t published criteria for a specific step, SPC lets the operation develop its own criteria based on actual process capability and then use those criteria to drive improvements and consistency. They’re not about setting mandatory contamination limits, they don’t replace regulatory standards, and they apply beyond any single product like poultry.