USDA Announces Interest in Salmonella Vaccines for Poultry

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) has published a notice informing veterinary biologics manufacturers of the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s (FSIS) interest in Salmonella vaccines for poultry.

As part of the Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products, FSIS has proposed serotypes of public health significance for raw chicken carcasses, chicken parts and comminuted chicken (Enteritidis, Typhimurium and I,4,[5],12:I:-); and for raw comminuted turkey (Hadar, Typhimurium and Muenchen). FSIS also noted that Salmonella Infantis remains a serotype of considerable concern in terms of potential severity of illness and antimicrobial resistance and has requested comment on the possible inclusion of Infantis as a serotype of public health significance.

FSIS said it is interested in learning about and engaging in discussions with veterinary biologics manufacturers on vaccination technologies, especially modified-live vaccines targeting FSIS’ proposed serotypes of public health concern or their associated serogroups.

CVB regulates the licensing of veterinary biologics, including products for animal pathogens, such as Salmonella, that are also considered food safety risks. CVB has published previous notices describing the jurisdictional issues where food safety is an additional consideration beyond an animal health claim, including Notice 05-07, Biologics for Reduction of Colonization and/or Shedding in Animals and Notice 12-09, Licensing of Vaccines as Preharvest Food Safety Interventions.

FSIS extended the comment period for the Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products proposed rule and determination until Jan. 17, 2025. Written comments may be submitted online via the federal eRulemaking portal, available at www.regulations.gov; by mail sent to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Washington, D.C. 20250-3700, or by hand or courier delivery to 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 350-E, Washington, D.C. 20250-3700. All items submitted must include the agency name and docket number FSIS-2023-0028.