USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service’s (FSIS) is withdrawing its proposed rule and determination titled “Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products,” published on Aug. 7, 2024, to further assess its approach for addressing Salmonella illnesses associated with poultry products. The agency determined that additional consideration is needed in light of the feedback received during the public comment period that closed on Jan. 17.
“The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) appreciates FSIS listening to our food safety concerns and withdrawing its proposed ‘Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products,’” says Ashley JOhnson, NPPC director of food policy. “This is an important step in recognizing the need for a more scientific approach to Salmonella testing, and NPPC will continue to work with FSIS to ensure thorough food safety testing.”
In January, the NPPC raised concerns about the scientific validity and practicality of reaching the goal of protecting public health through this proposed rule and determination. Under the regulation, FSIS would have classified certain Salmonella levels and serotypes in raw poultry products as adulterants and, therefore, prohibit them from entering the food supply.
Additionally, poultry slaughter operations would have had to include microbial monitoring programs with statistical process control methods and specific sampling methods in their procedures for addressing enteric diseases such as Salmonella.
NPPC pointed out that to reduce illnesses, risk-based performance standards will incentivize establishments to evaluate their status by conducting Salmonella quantification testing.
“An adulterated determination can result in unintended consequences, such as food waste of safe products, and will not help protect public health,” the organization said in January. “NPPC also noted that because Salmonella isn’t an ‘added’ substance – it occurs naturally – it doesn’t meet the statutory definition of an adulterant, and that case law does not support Salmonella being classified as such.”
The microbiological testing FSIS proposed involves a small portion of product, NPPC said, so it is not representative of all products. NPPC said this testing should be used only for verification.
“Consumer health and safety is at the forefront of the pork industry’s practices,” NPPC wrote. “Although the proposed rule is focused on raw poultry products, NPPC acknowledges the importance of food safety and taking a scientific approach to protect our nation’s food. Salmonella continues to be a high priority for the pork industry, as producers and processors implement strategies and look for improved ways to address the bacterium. The pork industry will continue its collaborative efforts with FSIS to deal with Salmonella through informed policy.”
Ashley Peterson, National Chicken Council senior vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs said the proposal could have increased the price of chicken without any health benefits as Salmonella rates on chicken are at all-time lows and chicken producers are working to reduce them even further.
“America’s chicken producers remain committed to further reducing Salmonella and fully support changes in food safety regulations that are based on sound science, robust data, and are demonstrated to positively impact public health,” Peterson said in a release. “We are concerned this proposal is not based on any of those.”
Based on the input received from stakeholders in January, FSIS says it will evaluate whether it should update the current poultry Salmonella performance standards.
Your Next Read: NPPC Raises Concern on USDA’s Proposed Salmonella Regulation
