The FSIS and USDA are cracking down on Salmonella. Especially in the case of poultry farmers who raise chickens and turkeys.
On July 29, the FSIS published the details of a new proposed regulation that would prohibit the sale of “raw chicken carcasses, chicken parts, ground chicken, and ground turkey products with specific levels of Salmonella contamination.”
The FSIS also wants to update the rules for poultry slaughter plants to include a microbial monitoring program with statistical process control methods, sampling at rehang instead of pre-chill, and paired sampling at rehang and post-chill, as stated in the 249-page proposal.
This is simply the most recent attempt in a three-year fight by the organizations to stop the spread of Salmonella.
The Associated Press in 2022 covered the USDA’s proposal to classify Salmonella as an adulterant in breaded and stuffed raw chicken products, including various frozen foods. The USDA’s initial measure aimed to reduce Salmonella-related illnesses in the U.S., which result in high healthcare costs and over 400 deaths annually, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The new proposal suggests that implementing it could lead to societal benefits amounting to $20.5 million annually, with a range of $4.4 million to $39.0 million, according to FSIS estimates. Most of the advantages come from averting diseases worth $12.9 million annually, with a range of $0.3 to $28.7 million. FSIS also calculated the savings resulting from decreased chances of recalls linked to outbreaks for the sector. It further stated that “further industry measures taken in response to this suggestion could result in added advantages.”
After the new rule is officially released, the public and industry will have a 60-day period to give feedback before the rule is completed.
Dr. José Emilio Esteban, the USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety, stated that the Salmonella framework is based on data, thorough scientific assessment, and input from stakeholders. “We urge all stakeholders who are interested to provide feedback and pertinent information on the proposal as we aim to develop evidence-based regulatory measures to tackle Salmonella in poultry.”
Certainly, you don’t have to wait for the new regulation to be approved in order to safeguard yourself from Salmonella. The CDC provided many suggestions for avoiding infection, such as washing your hands with soap and running water after handling pets and their belongings, as well as not touching your mouth after interacting with animals. Moreover — and this can be challenging — it was pointed out that you should refrain from kissing “cats, dogs, chickens, turtles, lizards, or any other pets or animals.” Check out all the advice on cdc.gov.
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