The U.S. Department of Agriculture has pulled a proposed rule that would have set new limits on salmonella in raw poultry. The withdrawal follows concerns from poultry producers over cost and feasibility.
The rule, proposed last August, would have required chicken and turkey processors to adopt stricter monitoring and reporting standards. It included thresholds for salmonella levels and serotypes in chicken parts, ground products, and whole birds. Processors would also have needed to sample and report microbial data electronically to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
Public health groups supported the framework, saying it could have reduced foodborne illness. Salmonella is one of the most common causes of food poisoning in the U.S., and poultry is a leading source.
FSIS received over 7,000 public comments, many raising questions about legal authority, scientific backing, and the burden on small processors. Some suggested alternatives to the proposed plan.
The agency said it remains committed to reducing salmonella-related illness but will reconsider its approach before moving forward.
