USDA Withdraws Salmonella Framework for Poultry, Sparking Debate on Food Safety

In a significant policy shift, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Thursday the withdrawal of a proposed rule aimed at limiting Salmonella bacteria in poultry products. This decision halts a Biden Administration effort initiated in August, which sought to set stringent standards for poultry companies to manage the presence of Salmonella, a major cause of foodborne illnesses. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), which called off the rule following extensive public feedback—over 7,000 comments—indicated it would reevaluate existing Salmonella regulations. Ashley Peterson, Ph.D., senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs at the National Chicken Council (NCC), expressed support for the USDA’s decision, asserting that the proposed rule was “legally unsound” and lacked a basis in sound science. Peterson emphasized NCC's commitment to reducing Salmonella through policies grounded in robust data that can effect meaningful public health improvements. The NCC, an industry trade group, applauded the withdrawal as a necessary correction to what they believed could have escalated production costs and increased food waste without improving safety outcomes. Conversely, the withdrawal has faced sharp criticism from food safety advocates, such as Sandra Eskin, a former USDA official involved in the original proposal development. Eskin condemned the decision, remarking that it sends a disheartening message about the current administration’s priorities regarding public health. She highlighted the potential repercussions, noting that many thousands fall ill due to preventable Salmonella infections linked to poultry each year. Similarly, Sarah Sorscher from the Center for Science in the Public Interest lamented the missed opportunity for advancing food safety, likening the proposed regulation to historical milestones for public health protection. The proposed measures aimed to curb an estimated 125,000 annual Salmonella illnesses attributed to chicken and 43,000 linked to turkey, according to CDC statistics. The ongoing debate raises essential questions about how best to balance industry interests with public health priorities, especially given that an overwhelming majority of Salmonella infections arise from food origins. Overall, the USDA's retraction of the Salmonella framework signifies a substantial shift in regulatory approach, leaning more toward accommodating industry concerns than pursuing strict public health safety measures. The potential implications for food safety in America are considerable, as critics warn that relaxing regulations may encourage more Salmonella-tainted poultry products to reach consumers, jeopardizing public health further.