Regulatory action criteria for filth and other extraneous materials III. Review of flies and foodborne enteric disease

Forty-seven species of flies have been reliably associated with filthy cond itions that might allow the spread of foodborne pathogens. These are catego rized as "filth flies." Of that 47, only 21 species represent a potential t hreat to human health as scientifically proven causative agents of foodborn e myiasis or as carriers of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and other foodborne pathogens. These 21 species are categorized a s "disease-causing flies" based on strict scientific criteria. The criteria are association with E. coli, Salmonella, AND Shigella; synanthropy; endop hily; communicative behavior; attraction to both excrement and food product s; and recognition by authorities as a potential health hazard, Within Haza rd Analysis and Critical Control Point and other U.S. Food and Drug Adminis tration regulatory frameworks, disease-causing flies are contributing facto rs to the spread of foodborne disease that require preventive and correctiv e actions as appropriate under Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures, Go od Manufacturing Practices, or pest control programs.