On Aug. 7, 2024, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) proposed new rules aimed at reducing foodborne illnesses caused by Salmonella in raw poultry. The idea was to label certain raw chicken and turkey products as “adulterated”—and therefore illegal to sell—if they were found to contain specific levels or types of Salmonella. This would have applied to whole birds, parts, ground products, and similar items.

The proposed rule also included updates to how poultry plants should monitor and control Salmonella during processing. For example:

- Plants would need to test for Salmonella at specific points along the production line (such as after plucking but before chilling).
- These tests would use statistical tools to track patterns and help spot problems early.
-  The rule would have required plants to submit test results electronically to FSIS.

Initially, FSIS also considered setting limits for Salmonella levels in birds before processing starts. But feedback from small poultry producers and a lack of supporting research led FSIS to skip that part, opting instead for voluntary steps to reduce contamination in incoming flocks.

During the public comment period, which closed on Jan. 17, 2025, FSIS received more than 7,000 responses. These included feedback from large and small poultry companies, consumer groups, scientists, government officials, law students, and even international stakeholders. Many shared concerns about:

- Whether FSIS had the legal authority to make these changes
- The scientific data used to justify the proposal
- The potential cost to producers—especially smaller ones
-  And whether there were better ways to address Salmonella contamination

After reviewing the comments, FSIS decided to withdraw the proposed rule for now. The agency said the feedback raised important questions that need more time and analysis. FSIS emphasized that it still supports efforts to reduce Salmonella-related illnesses and will continue to work on strategies to improve food safety.

Keeping the Public Informed

FSIS will continue to keep the public updated through its website, the Constituent Update newsletter, and its email subscription service, which provides news on food safety, recalls, regulations, and more.