The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is considering measures to reduce the prevalence of salmonella-contaminated poultry in the market. The proposal involves poultry establishments implementing a microbial monitoring program to prevent pathogen contamination throughout the slaughter system.
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that salmonella bacteria cause over one million illnesses in the US annually, with poultry being a significant contributor. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has spent three years reassessing its strategy to control salmonella infections from poultry and is now proposing the introduction of final product standards.
Under these standards, raw chicken and bird parts with ten or more colony forming units (CFU) of salmonella per gram/ml would be prohibited from entering the market. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasizes the importance of this framework in ensuring safer food for consumers and reducing illnesses.
The USDA urges stakeholders to provide comments and data on the proposal to develop science-based regulatory policies to address salmonella in poultry. The proposed framework is based on data and scientific evaluation, incorporating feedback from extensive stakeholder engagement.
Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is undergoing an organizational revamp in response to recent scrutiny, including the US infant-formula crisis. The FDA aims to oversee human food supply chains and agricultural products more efficiently, adapting to the ever-changing and complex industries it regulates.
According to FSIS estimates, there are approximately 125,000 cases of salmonella illnesses from chicken consumption and nearly 43,000 associated with turkey annually. Dr. Emilio Esteban, USDA’s Under Secretary for Food Safety, emphasizes the importance of data-driven, science-based regulatory policies to combat salmonella in poultry.
As the USDA seeks to reduce poultry-linked salmonella illnesses. The FDA’s restructuring efforts aim to enhance its efficiency and readiness to address food safety challenges effectively.
In conclusion, these proposed measures reflect a strategic approach to mitigating salmonella contamination in poultry. Stakeholder input and scientific evaluation will play a crucial role in shaping regulatory policies for a safer food supply chain.
