Which statement about FSIS regulated products is true?

• A. The four pathogens most frequently affecting FSIS regulated products are E coli, Listeria, Salmonella, and Campylobacter
• B. They include Norovirus
• C. They are only viruses
• D. They are not a concern for FSIS

Answer: (A)

FSIS-regulated foods are routinely evaluated for the major microbial hazards that most often cause illness from meat, poultry, and processed egg products. The four pathogens most frequently linked to outbreaks from these foods are E. coli (including pathogenic strains like O157:H7), Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. This group is emphasized because surveillance and inspection programs target these organisms due to their prevalence and potential to cause serious illness in a variety of meat and poultry products. Norovirus, while a common cause of gastroenteritis in the population, is not one of the top four FSIS-focused hazards for regulated products. Also, not all of these hazards are viruses—Listeria is a bacterium—so the statement that they are only viruses isn’t correct. And FSIS does consider these pathogens a concern, not a non-issue.