The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled a proposal this week aimed at significantly reducing Salmonella contamination in poultry products. Developed by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the proposed rule represents a three-year effort to reevaluate and enhance strategies for controlling Salmonella in poultry and protecting consumers from related foodborne illnesses.
Salmonella remains a persistent threat to public health, causing over 1 million infections annually in the United States. Poultry products are among the leading sources of these infections, with an estimated 125,000 chicken-associated and 43,000 turkey-associated illnesses each year. Despite decreasing Salmonella contamination rates in poultry products, there hasn’t been a corresponding reduction in Salmonella-related illnesses.
The proposed framework introduces stringent standards for raw chicken and turkey products and aims to prevent products containing Salmonella at or above 10 colony forming units (CFU) per gram/ml from entering the market. Additionally, it targets specific Salmonella serotypes of public health significance, prohibiting any detectable levels of these strains in poultry products.
In a USDA press release, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized the historical significance of this proposal, describing it as a systematic approach to addressing Salmonella contamination in poultry processing. The new standards are expected to result in safer food for consumers and fewer illnesses.
A key component of the proposal requires poultry establishments to implement microbial monitoring programs to prevent pathogen contamination throughout the slaughter process with a goal of addressing Salmonella risks at multiple stages of production.
The development of this framework was informed by extensive data collection, scientific evaluation, and stakeholder engagement. The USDA conducted various activities, including consulting with the National Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Food, developing risk assessments, and hosting public meetings and roundtables to gather input.
The USDA’s Under Secretary for Food Safety stressed the data-driven and science-based nature of the proposed framework. The USDA is encouraging all interested parties to submit comments and relevant data to help finalize these regulatory policies.
According to the USDA, the initiative aligns with broader efforts by the Biden-Harris Administration to protect American consumers. It follows other recent actions, such as declaring Salmonella an adulterant in certain chicken products (previously reported on by Food Poisoning News here) and clarifying “Product of USA” labeling requirements.
