Proposed Bill Aims to Halt USDA’s Regulation on Salmonella in Poultry
A new bill introduced by Representatives Steven Womack of Arkansas and Tracey Mann of Kansas seeks to prevent the USDA from implementing a proposed regulation addressing salmonella in raw poultry. The legislation, if passed, would stop the agency from finalizing or enforcing the rule.
USDA’s Proposed Regulation on Salmonella in Raw Poultry
The USDA’s proposal, initially published in August 2024, aims to classify raw poultry as adulterated if it contains 10 or more colony-forming units (CFU) of any salmonella strain or detectable levels of specific high-risk serotypes. The rule also includes requirements for regular USDA testing and stricter contamination prevention measures at slaughter facilities.
Government Accountability Office Report and Food Safety Concerns
The introduction of the bill coincided with a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that highlighted the USDA’s prioritization of salmonella initiatives over other microbial safety efforts. The GAO recommended that the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) develop a more effective strategy for managing food safety objectives.
Rise in Food Recalls Linked to Bacterial Contamination
Recent data from the FDA and USDA have shown a concerning increase in food recalls associated with bacterial contamination, reaching the highest level in five years. This underscores the importance of addressing salmonella and other foodborne pathogens to ensure public health and safety.
