October 9, 2024

 

US consumer groups request extension on USDA poultry salmonella rule

Several US consumer advocacy groups focused on food safety are requesting the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to extend the public comment period for a new poultry standard on salmonella by six months. Food Safety News reported.

 

The new standard was introduced in July.

 

The request, made to the federal rulemaking docket and USDA's Under Secretary for Food Safety, Dr Emilio Esteban, seeks additional time to allow for broader public comment and meaningful dialogue with stakeholders on the feasibility of implementing the new salmonella standard.

 

In making the request, consumer advocates acknowledge that they are joining the poultry industry in calling for more time to submit comments.

 

"Stop Foodborne Illness (STOP), Consumer Reports, the Consumer Federation of America, and the Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health are writing to explain why we joined the Poultry Safety Coalition's recent request for an extension of the comment period on USDA's salmonella in poultry rulemaking. We urge you to grant a six-month extension, and we outline here what we hope can be accomplished with that additional time," the consumer groups stated.

 

The groups also expressed their support for the FSIS initiative, noting the importance of the new regulations.

 

Despite their support for the initiative, the consumer advocates voiced concerns that the proposed rule may not be comprehensive enough and could limit further reforms that they believe the USDA should consider.

 

"We joined in requesting an extension of the comment period because we are concerned that the proposed rule is not sufficiently comprehensive and may by itself foreclose important reforms that we believe USDA should consider for inclusion in the final rule," they explained. "Additional time is required for USDA to notify stakeholders regarding these alternatives and to solicit written comment and genuine public dialogue to produce the best possible rule."

 

Earlier, Representatives Steve Womack and Jim Costa, co-chairs of the Congressional Chicken Caucus, were the first to request an additional 180 days for comments on the proposed Salmonella Framework from USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. The National Chicken Council (NCC) also followed suit, seeking at least a 90-day extension.

 

The USDA proposal, which has been in development for more than three years, aims to prohibit poultry producers from selling chicken and turkey contaminated with high levels of certain salmonella strains. Under the rule, it would be illegal to sell chicken, chicken parts, ground chicken, and turkey if contaminated with specified salmonella strains. The FSIS is tasked with enforcing the rule.

 

Consumer groups also urged the FSIS to organise public stakeholder dialogue meetings, involving FSIS leaders, industry representatives, consumer advocates, and independent experts. These meetings would provide a platform for discussing key issues related to the salmonella standard and fostering understanding among stakeholders.

 

"For an issue of such impact on consumers and on which USDA is breaking important new ground, we think USDA should provide a setting in which consumer voices can be heard alongside other industry and other stakeholders," the consumer groups said in their request.

 

-      Food Safety News