Alarmingly High Salmonella Contamination Levels in U.S. Poultry Plants

— OPINION —

A new report from Farm Forward has brought to light a concerning trend in poultry safety in the U.S. According to five years’ worth of monthly inspection data gathered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), many poultry processing facilities, including those supplying major brands like Foster Farms, Costco, and Perdue, consistently surpass federal limits for salmonella contamination.

Frightening Inspection Outcomes

The analysis highlights Lincoln Premium Poultry, a primary supplier for Costco, which failed to meet USDA standards in an alarming 54 out of 59 inspections. Some of the most problematic plants recorded zero compliance—failing all 60 inspections in their assessment.

Current USDA Standards and Their Implications

This situation is particularly concerning given the USDA’s current regulations. These guidelines allow a significant margin for salmonella presence, tolerating up to 25% contamination in ground chicken, 13.5% in ground turkey, 15.4% in chicken parts, and 9.8% in whole chickens before enforcement actions are initiated.

The Call for Change

At Marler Clark, we believe salmonella should be classified as an adulterant in poultry products, similar to the treatment of E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef. In May 2019, we submitted a petition to the USDA advocating for the acknowledgment of 31 strains of salmonella as adulterants in meat and poultry, a petition that faced inactivity for four long years.

In August 2024, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) introduced a proposed rule entitled Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products, which had the potential to reshape poultry regulation fundamentally. However, in April 2025, this proposal was withdrawn following overwhelming opposition from industry stakeholders concerned about “regulatory overreach” and economic consequences.

This withdrawal, as detailed in Farm Forward’s report, marks a significant regression for public health and consumer safety. It leaves the FSIS unable to enforce critical contamination limits, thereby allowing elevated levels of salmonella to infiltrate the market continually.

For continued updates and insights, refer to the source: Food Safety News.