USDA Withdraws Proposed Salmonella Rule for Raw Poultry: A Setback for Food Safety?
On April 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the withdrawal of its proposed “Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products,” a regulation intended to reduce salmonella contamination in chicken and turkey. This decision, following over 7,000 public comments, has sparked a debate between industry stakeholders and public health advocates.
Understanding the Proposed Rule
Introduced in August 2024, the USDA’s proposal aimed to establish enforceable standards for salmonella levels in raw poultry. Specifically, it would have required poultry producers to test for six salmonella strains most associated with human illness—three prevalent in chicken and three in turkey. Products exceeding the set thresholds or testing positive for these strains would have been deemed adulterated, making them ineligible for sale. The USDA estimated that implementing this rule could prevent approximately 125,000 salmonella infections from chicken and 43,000 from turkey annually. Given that salmonella causes about 1.35 million infections and 420 deaths each year in the U.S., primarily through foodborne transmission, the proposed rule represented a significant public health initiative.
Reasons for Withdrawal
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) cited the need for further assessment in light of the extensive feedback received during the public comment period. The agency acknowledged that the comments raised important issues warranting additional consideration. As a result, FSIS decided to withdraw the proposed rule to reevaluate its approach to addressing salmonella illnesses associated with poultry products.
Industry Support for Withdrawal
The National Chicken Council (NCC), representing poultry producers, welcomed the USDA’s decision. Ashley Peterson, NCC’s Senior Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, stated that the proposed framework was legally unsound, misinterpreted scientific data, and would have led to increased costs and food waste without meaningful public health benefits. The NCC expressed commitment to collaborating with the USDA on science-based, implementable policies that effectively reduce salmonella in poultry products.
Public Health Advocates’ Concerns
Conversely, food safety advocates criticized the withdrawal, viewing it as a missed opportunity to enhance consumer protection. Sandra Eskin, a former USDA official involved in drafting the proposal, argued that the decision undermines efforts to prevent foodborne salmonella infections linked to poultry. Similarly, Sarah Sorscher from the Center for Science in the Public Interest likened the proposal to the landmark 1994 regulation that banned certain E. coli strains in ground beef, emphasizing that the withdrawal could lead to increased salmonella-related illnesses.
Broader Implications
The USDA’s decision reflects ongoing tensions between regulatory agencies, industry stakeholders, and public health advocates. While the poultry industry emphasizes the need for regulations grounded in sound science and economic feasibility, public health experts stress the importance of proactive measures to prevent foodborne illnesses. The withdrawal also coincides with the USDA’s delay in enforcing a separate rule regulating salmonella levels in certain breaded and stuffed raw chicken products, now postponed to November 3, 2025.
Looking Ahead
As the USDA reassesses its approach to controlling salmonella in poultry, stakeholders from all sides will likely continue to engage in discussions to develop effective, science-based regulations. As the national food poisoning lawyer, Ron Simon, notes, balancing public health priorities with industry concerns remains a complex challenge, underscoring the need for collaborative efforts to ensure food safety for consumers nationwide.
