Who is responsible for selecting and analyzing swine and poultry samples for microbiological analysis?

• A. Establishment
• B. FSIS laboratory
• C. Third-party contractor
• D. State regulatory agency

Answer: (A)

The establishment is responsible because sampling and initiating microbiological testing are built into the plant’s operations. The plant must design and carry out a sampling plan that yields representative swine and poultry samples from its lots, then arrange for those samples to be analyzed by the appropriate laboratory (FSIS laboratory or an approved contract lab). This keeps testing tied directly to the product, ensures proper chain of custody, and enables timely corrective actions if results show an issue.

The FSIS laboratory does the actual analysis, but it is not typically the party that selects the samples for routine testing; a third-party contractor may perform analyses only if accredited and contracted, but the responsibility to select and submit samples originates with the establishment. State regulatory agencies oversee programs and enforcement, not the day-to-day selection of samples for each lot.