Under performance standards, which statement best captures the required expectations for establishments?

• A. They must operate under sanitary conditions, ensure product is not adulterated, and operate in a manner that does not interfere with FSIS inspection.
• B. They must use the same sanitation procedures as all other plants.
• C. They must conduct daily inspections of all equipment by external auditors.
• D. They must maximize production speed at all times.

Answer: (A)

Performance standards focus on what an establishment must do to protect public health: keep sanitary conditions, ensure the product isn’t adulterated, and operate in a way that does not impede FSIS inspectors. The statement that captures these duties directly expresses those obligations, making it the best fit.

Maintaining sanitation is foundational to preventing contamination; ensuring the product isn’t adulterated addresses safety and integrity; and not interfering with inspection ensures inspectors can verify compliance and enforce safety rules. The other options miss essential elements: using identical sanitation procedures across all plants isn’t what the standards require, daily external audits aren’t a mandated requirement, and maximizing production speed has no place if it compromises sanitation or safety.