What is the FSIS maximum allowed percent of Salmonella contamination in chicken parts samples?

• A. 15.4% (8 of 52)
• B. 7.7% (4 of 52)
• C. 25% (13 of 52)
• D. 13.5% (7 of 52)

Answer: (A)

FSIS uses an acceptance sampling plan for Salmonella in chicken parts. The plan tests a fixed number of samples from a batch and sets an acceptance number for positives in that sample. For chicken parts, you’re allowed up to eight positive results in a 52-sample test. Eight divided by 52 is 0.1538, which rounds to 15.4%. So the maximum allowed percent of Salmonella contamination in this scenario is 15.4%. If you find more than eight positives in the 52 samples, the batch fails; eight or fewer positives means it passes. The other percentages would correspond to different possible acceptance numbers, but they’re not the standard FSIS limit for this case.