USDA Eyes 175 Chickens Per Minute: Faster Poultry Processing Ahead?
Published Date: 2/19/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The USDA wants to let chicken and turkey plants speed up their processing lines—chickens up to 175 birds per minute and turkeys up to 60. This change helps plants work faster while keeping food safe and inspections thorough. Comments on this plan are open until April 20, 2026, so industry folks can weigh in before it’s final.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Young Chicken Speed Limit Raised to 175 bpm
FSIS proposes to allow young chicken establishments operating under the New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS) to operate at line speeds up to 175 birds per minute (bpm). FSIS says this would let poultry plants slaughter birds more efficiently while continuing required online carcass inspection and process-control verification.
Estimated Industry Net Benefits $96–$225M
FSIS provides estimated economic effects for the proposed rule: benefits of $223 million, $386 million, or $534 million and costs of $127 million, $202 million, or $309 million across lower (23 establishments), mid (58 establishments), and upper (85 establishments) adoption scenarios, yielding net benefits of $96 million, $184 million, or $225 million respectively. These estimates assume a mid-point (15 percent) increase in line speeds, a 5-year adoption period, and a 7 percent discount rate annualized over 10 years.
Inspectors May Order Line Speed Reductions
FSIS proposes to clarify that the inspector in charge (IIC) may require establishments to reduce their rate of operations at any point in slaughter if the establishment loses process control or if FSIS cannot conduct effective carcass-by-carcass inspection. The rulemaking text ties such reductions to maintaining process control and effective inspection as required by statute.
Turkey Line Speed Raised to 60 bpm
FSIS proposes to increase the maximum NPIS turkey line speed from 55 birds per minute (bpm) to 60 bpm. FSIS notes one turkey establishment already operates at 60 bpm under a waiver and that permitting 60 bpm would allow other turkey establishments to gain efficiency while FSIS continues food safety verification.
Remove Annual Worker-Safety Attestation Requirement
FSIS proposes to remove 9 CFR 381.45, which requires NPIS establishments to submit an annual attestation about worker safety programs, and 9 CFR 381.46 (a related severability provision). FSIS explains it lacks statutory authority to regulate establishment worker safety and that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the Federal agency with authority over workplace safety.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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