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
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-06526 — Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: New Poultry Inspection System
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service wants to keep collecting info about how poultry is inspected, with no changes to the current process. This affects poultry plants and helps keep our chicken safe to eat. They’re asking for public comments by June 2, 2026, before renewing the approval that expires August 31, 2026.
2026-05746 — Revising Establishment Size Definitions
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service wants to update how it defines the size of meat, poultry, and egg plants. These size rules help decide how the agency checks and supports businesses, especially small ones. If changes happen, they could affect how often inspections happen and how rules apply, so businesses should share their thoughts by May 26, 2026.
2026-05550 — Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Voluntary Destruction of Imported Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service wants to keep collecting info about companies that choose to destroy imported meat, poultry, and egg products instead of selling them. No changes are coming, but the current approval expires July 31, 2026, so they’re asking for comments by May 22, 2026. This keeps things clear and safe for everyone involved, with no new costs or rules.
2026-05509 — Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Procedures for the Notification of New Technology and Requests for Waivers
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service wants to keep collecting info on how companies tell them about new tech or ask for special permission (waivers). Nothing’s changing, but they need to renew this approval before it expires on July 31, 2026. If you’re involved in food safety tech or waivers, now’s the time to share your thoughts by May 19, 2026!
2026-05155 — Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: (Public Health Information System)
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service wants to keep collecting info through its Public Health Information System, with no changes to how it works. This affects folks who provide or use public health data and keeps things running smoothly until November 30, 2026. If you have thoughts, you can share them by May 18, 2026—no extra costs or new rules involved!
2026-04820 — Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Nutrition Labeling of Major Cuts of Single-Ingredient Raw Meat or Poultry Products and Ground or Chopped Meat and Poultry Products
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service wants to keep collecting nutrition label info on major cuts of raw meat and poultry, plus ground or chopped versions. No changes are planned, but they need to renew approval before July 31, 2026. Meat producers and packagers should note this keeps the labeling rules steady with no new costs or surprises.
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