Poultry
Ensuring food safety is critical in the poultry industry. That’s why our scientists have spent years researching and developing better sampling technology. Our advanced MicroTally® sampling methods offer efficient surface sampling, saving you time and money while providing accurate and reliable data to meet stringent food safety standards.
- Home
- Industry Applications
- Poultry
The MicroTally® Mitt Sampler
The MicroTally® Mitt sampler is engineered to effectively capture pathogens like Salmonella and Campylobacter on poultry carcasses and parts. Designed to meet the unique challenges of poultry processing, it allows sampling across multiple production stages, ensuring precise microbial data for process control and compliance. Its innovative design preserves sample integrity, reduces waste, and lowers costs.
Having been granted an FSIS NOL, the MicroTally® Mitt sampler provides an alternative to traditional rinse sampling. By reducing sampling time and eliminating the need for large buffer volume, the MicroTally® Mitt sampling method simplifies workflows, reduces costs, and minimizes ergonomic strain on workers. Additionally, the Mitt can be used in aggregative sampling methods providing greater sample representation compared to rinse methods.
Comparing Rinse Method to MicroTally® Mitt Sampler
| Rinse Sampling | MicroTally® Mitt Sampling | |
|---|---|---|
FSIS NOL | Yes | Yes (See NOL) |
| Sampling Time | Longer | Shorter (approx. 1/2 the time) |
| Shipping Cost | Higher | Lower (approx. 1/5 the weight) |
| Overall Cost | Higher | Lower (See How MicroTally Compares to Your Current Costs) |
| Risk of Sample Spillage During Transport | High | Low |
| Safety of Collection Method | Hazardous (Some methods require cutting to obtain sample material) | Safe (Safe Sample Collection) |
| Ergonomic Stress to Workers | Yes | Reduced |
| Sample Representation (Compared to Standard) | Equal | Equal or Greater |
| Product Downgrade | Sometimes | None |
| Environmental Impact | Higher | Lower (approx. 1/4 the landfill impact) |
Sampling Supplies for the Poultry Industry
Meet Your Regulatory Requirements
We work closely with industry leaders and regulatory bodies to validate the performance of our sampling solutions. The MicroTally® Mitt sampler complies with USDA standards and has been granted an FSIS NOL, providing processors with a reliable tool for pathogen testing and process monitoring. Our solutions are scientifically validated, ensuring you can trust the data to maintain food safety and compliance throughout your operations.
Poultry Industry Sampling Videos
MicroTally® Product Line Overview
Dr. Terry Arthur at IPPE: Validating MicroTally Mitt Manual Sampling Method for Poultry
MicroTally® Mitt – Poultry Sampling
MicroTally® MicroMitt™ – Environmental Sampling Concept Demo
Poultry Industry FAQs
-
Each MicroTally® sampler product utilizes the same underlying polyolefin cloth technology that has been evaluated by the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and implemented by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for official pathogen sampling. The material is scientifically proven to deliver reliable, legally defensible, and highly reproducible microbiological data.
-
No. There have been no provisions made for washing and resterilizing MicroTally® samplers. They were developed with the intention of being single-use devices. The impact of trace residuals is unknown.
-
The sampler is constructed from a specially engineered, non-woven spun polyolefin polymer fabric. This advanced, food-contact-safe material is physically optimized to effectively capture and retain surface moisture, biofilms, and microbial pathogens upon direct contact.
-
USDA/FSIS has issued a Letter of No Objection covering:
- Beef trim pathogen and indicator organism sampling via MSD™ and CSD™ sampling
- Poultry pathogen and indicator organism sampling using the MicroTally® Mitt
In addition, USDA/FSIS recently named “Polyolefin Cloth” – our MicroTally® Swab sampler – as their official pathogen sampling method for their in-plant inspectors.
-
Yes, see Manual Sampling Device (MSD™) testing. However, we highly recommend using the MicroTally® Mitt for this purpose as it offers a significantly enhanced sampling experience tailored to meet your needs.
-
MicroTally® products are designed for non-destructive surface sampling across a wide range of solid food matrices and processing environments where microbial pathogens or indicator organisms on external surfaces are of concern.
Supported sample matrices and applications include:
Floor & Pathway Footprint Sampling: Sample facility floors, poultry litter, and field soil.
Raw Beef & Meat Trim: MicroTally® spun-polymer cloth is USDA-FSIS evaluated and approved for sampling beef trim, carcass surfaces, and manufacturing trimmings for pathogens and indicator organisms.
Produce & Cut Produce: Scientifically proven effective for surface pathogen capture on leafy greens (such as lettuce), cut produce processing lines, and whole produce.
Environmental & Equipment Surfaces: Direct surface swab sampling of processing machinery, conveyers, food-contact equipment, and hard-to-reach plant infrastructure.
-
MicroTally® samplers should not be used on:
Products with internal contamination: Items where the suspected contamination is trapped inside and not accessible on the surface.
Certain fine powders and liquids: Substances that can fill or clog the sampler's capture sites, interfering with the process.
Learn More About Our Sampling Solutions
Contact us to learn more about our innovative sampling technology for the detection of pathogenic organisms on poultry. Our team of experts is ready to assist you and provide customized solutions tailored to your specific needs.
Join the global leaders in the poultry industry who choose MicroTally® products as their preferred sampling innovation for reliable and accurate results in food safety

