As a part of evaluation the surveillance system of Salmonella in frozen imported poultry meat into Jordan, we conducted a study to estimate the limit of detection (LOD50% and LOD95%) of S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis based on chromogenic media of Rapid’Salmonella method. Salmonella-free chicken meat samples was inoculated with 1 to 100 CFU of 11 wild strains that originated from frozen imported poultry meat and 2 reference strains. In the experiment, the observed lowest concentration for Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis using Rapid’Salmonella method were from 1 to 50 CFU/25 g. Based on these results, probability of detection (POD) curve was estimated according to the model described in EN ISO 16140-4. From the estimated POD functions, the LOD50% and LOD95% was determined for the Rapid’Salmonella method. The LOD50% of the different strains varied from 0.9 to 21.2 CFU/25 g. The two reference strains and 9 wild strains had a LOD50% less than 2 CFU/25 g, one wild strain of Salmonella Enteritidis had a LOD50% of 6.8 CFU/25 g and another one had a LOD50% of 21.2 CFU/25 g. The majority of Salmonella strains has a LOD50% of 1-4 CFU/25 g in poultry meat, but also that there are some Salmonella strains which will first be detected at 10 CFU/25 g and higher.

The JFDA applies border control for Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis in frozen poultry products. A QMRA model was developed to evaluate the effectiveness of this system in controlling the risk for consumers.The model consists of three modules; consumer phase, risk estimation, and risk reduction. The model inputs were the occurrence of Salmonella in different types of imported poultry products, the LOD of the Rapid’Salmonella, the number of tested samples of each batch, and the criteria for rejection. The model outputs were public health impact as the Minimum Relative Residual Risk (MRRR) given the batches’ refusal and the percentage of Batches that are Not‐compliant with the Microbiological Criteria (BNMC) of rejection. To estimate the overall MRRR of the border control, the estimated country and product‐specific MRRR were summarized and weighted by the total imports of each product from each country. The current border control based on one sample per batch gives an overall MRRR value of 27%. The alternative scenarios based on three and five samples per batch are 12% and 8%, respectively. Overall, the higher the prevalence and/or concentration of Salmonella in imported products, the more the likelihood that batches will be rejected. For products with up‐to‐date data of occurrence, the estimated BNMC was similar to the observed proportion of rejected batches. The lack of data on the Salmonella concentrations in poultry products from different countries is the major source of the uncertainties in the model. It reduces our opportunities to obtain valid estimates of the absolute risk.

Jordan's Food and Drug Administration Laboratories are responsible for the surveillance of zoonoses in frozen meat imports. Results from the surveillance are stored in Laboratory Food Examination System (LFES) portal. In the period from 2015 to 2019, there was an apparent decrease in the occurrence of microbiological pathogens in imported meat and meat products. Poultry meat was the main product not fulfilling the criteria for compliment. The dominant detected pathogen was Salmonella Typhimurium. The other detected pathogens were Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Enteritidis. All red meats were tested for E. coli O157:H7 and there were no batches with positive findings. Overall, the occurrence of these pathogens has decreased in the period from 2015 to 2019, which is probably due to the enforcement of food safety guidelines and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point systems in the slaughterhouses in exporting countries. Still, the occurrence of microbiological pathogens in imported meat and meat products poses a risk for consumers in the region. Recommendations are required for the continuous evaluation and optimization of border inspection.