大腸桿菌雖然是糞便的指標性微生物，
但並不表示該產品實際上已被糞便污染。
羽毛或環境污染物（如灰塵）中存在的
大腸桿菌也會污染家禽屠體。 
美國農業部對美國家禽的屠宰衞生檢查
要求家禽屠體上的可見糞便必須是‘零檢出’的標準。
它還要求企業對屠體上的一般性大腸桿菌進行檢測，
以驗證屠宰過程是否可以完全控制、預防和消除糞便污染。

bacteria associated with chicken

The presence of E. coli,
although an indicator organism for fecal matter,
does not mean the product is,
in fact, contaminated by feces.
E. coli that is present in feathers or
environmental contaminants, like dust,
can also contaminate a poultry carcass.
As part of poultry inspection procedures,
FSIS enforces a "zero tolerance" standard for
visible fecal material on poultry carcasses.
It also requires slaughter establishments to
perform microbiological testing for generic E. coli
on carcasses to verify that slaughter processes
are under control for the prevention and
removal of fecal contamination.