USDA Admits Defeat on Chicken Safety, Asks for Help
Published Date: 12/15/2025
Notice
Summary
The USDA is hosting a public meeting on January 14, 2026, to find smart ways to reduce Salmonella in poultry products. This affects poultry producers, especially small businesses, and aims to protect public health while keeping industry needs in mind. People can join in person or online, but must register by early January and send comments by February 2, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
FSIS Targets Poultry-Linked Salmonella
FSIS is exploring ways to reduce Salmonella illnesses tied to poultry, noting roughly 25% of foodborne Salmonella illnesses are attributable to poultry (about 20% from chicken and just over 5% from turkey). FSIS says contamination declines stalled from 2021–2024 and is seeking public input to drive further reductions.
FSIS Considering New Testing Parameters
FSIS is asking for feedback on alternative performance-standard parameters for Salmonella in poultry, including use of serotype, enumeration, and genomic factors (like virulence or antimicrobial resistance), as well as product type, sampling frequency, or lotting. These topics could inform future regulatory approaches for poultry producers.
Focus on Small Producer Support
FSIS specifically seeks input on barriers to controls and on incentives and support for small and very small poultry producers as part of its reassessment of Salmonella strategy. Stakeholders raised concerns about economic impacts on small growers and processors in comments to a prior proposed framework.
Improving FSIS Data for Businesses
FSIS is requesting feedback on how FSIS data inform business decisions and on suggestions to improve FSIS data accessibility and usability. The agency plans to use input on data uses and opportunities to inform its Salmonella control approach.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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