Proposed USDA Salmonella Framework May Affect Your Local Poultry Processor

Overview

The USDA FSIS has worked on a proposed salmonella framework that would implement rules and regulations in place for producers to test and seek to eradicate the presence of salmonella in their poultry products. Salmonella is a naturally occurring bacteria that can be killed with proper cooking to avoid spreading illness to consumers. If implemented, this proposal would affect poultry producers with added costs, potential onsite inspections, and the burden of additional equipment and infrastructure. To learn more, hear our conversation with Alexia Kulwiec of the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund:

What is the USDA’s Proposed Salmonella Framework?

Salmonella is a naturally occurring bacteria with various serotypes and strains. The bacteria can cause illness that is typically not deadly, and will go away on its own over a few days. Various food products or live animals can cause outbreaks of salmonella, such as meats, produce or nuts. The bacteria can live within the intestines of animals, and when not properly cooked, it can spread through the consumption of meat (including poultry).

The USDA’s proposal would establish standards to prevent any final chicken products that include detectable levels of any salmonella serotypes to be sold. This would require microbial testing and inspection of poultry products, potential eradication measures (e.g. chemical washing), leading to increased processing costs and infrastructure, adding burden to small Farmers and processors. 

The issue with this proposal is that concerns about Salmonella can be readily solved by proper cooking (at an internal temperature of 165°F). Less than 100 people in America die per annum due to “Salmonella” poisoning, which is predominantly attributable to other pre-existing conditions (an at-risk individual). There’s too much unnatural stuff already in our food products (chemicals & additives). While larger Poultry operations “bleach” their poultry products to eradicate bacteria, this regulation will greatly affect Independent Farmers wanting to produce quality products in a natural, healthy manner (unfettered by chemicals & additives).

How will this Framework Affect Poultry Producers?

The proposed USDA framework is specific to Poultry processors (it does not affect other proteins). Smaller producers and facilities may not be able to afford these new requirements for testing poultry products without significantly raising their costs and making additional capital investments. If facilities cannot meet these requirements and close, this will constrain available processors for local poultry Farmers. The cost of infrastructure to test each chicken product may be too burdensome for smaller processors, such as submitting microbial samples to the USD FSIS electronically. This could lead to local processors raising their costs or closing altogether. 

As Independent Farmers, many local Buyers are well informed on the raising and processing of the poultry they purchase. Some may even go on Farm to help process these products. This will not interfere with on Farm poultry processors who do not operate a USDA or state facility (but rather operates under an on-Farm poultry exemptions). It will, however, affect small processing facilities that Farmers have chosen to create on their own premises.

It is unclear if this new USDA framework includes custom facilities (which do not have onsite inspectors, but still have to meet certain Federal requirements). Many Independent Farmers have grown beyond small Farm exemption to process poultry without federal inspection on-Farm.

For major processors, they will simply continue to “bleach” their birds to minimize a salmonella outbreak. While that solves one issue, it creates arguably a bigger problem of chemicals within our food, acting as a bandaid to protect against naturally-occurring bacteria that can be easily resolved by proper cooking.

Actions you Can Take

This proposed framework is open to comments until January 17th, 2025. Farms, and Buyers, can make their voices heard. You can also call a local legislator to let them know you are against the proposal. The more support against these regulations, the better for Independent Farmers. File your comments with the USDA here: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FSIS-2023-0028. 

To learn more about the USDA FSIS’ proposed salmonella framework, you can visit farmtoconsumer.org/actionalerts.

Conclusion

The proposed USDA framework for Salmonella may significantly increase the costs and burdens on Poultry processors (of all sizes), causing smaller processors to close their business (and constrain supply). If your business exceeds on-Farm processing limits, you may consider creating a flock share (much like a herd share). However, if you are below this threshold, you may continue to operate as-is (hoping the regulations don’t creep downstream). With the upcoming administration changes, there are hopes that this framework could be reversed. Regardless, we strongly encourage all Farmers to make their voices heard by submitting comments to USDA today.

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