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
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.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-03220 — Clean Water Act Hazardous Substance Facility Response Plans; Amendment Reconsideration
The EPA is asking for your thoughts on updating rules for hazardous substance spill plans to make them clearer and easier to follow. These changes affect facilities that handle dangerous chemicals near water and aim to protect people and the environment without adding extra hassle. You’ve got until March 20, 2026, to share your ideas before any new rules are proposed.
Next: 2026-03228 — Maximum Line Speed Under the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System (NSIS)
The USDA is proposing new rules that let swine slaughter plants set their own line speeds if they can keep things safe and under control. Inspectors can slow down the line if they spot problems, and plants won’t have to send yearly reports about worker conditions anymore. These changes aim to make swine processing faster without risking food safety, with public comments open until April 20, 2026.
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