The USDA is reworking its strategy for controlling salmonella in poultry.
They now consider salmonella an adulterant in breaded and stuffed raw chicken products, like frozen chicken cordon bleu and chicken kiev. By doing so, the Food Safety and Inspection Service will be able to ensure contaminated products that make people sick will not be sold to consumers. The FSIS proposes a limit of one colony-forming unit of salmonella per gram of product.
“There are about six or so companies that make them, but one company, in particular, produces the overwhelming amount of these products. We believe they will be able to address and meet our standard,” said Deputy Under Secretary of Agriculture Sandra Eskin.
The National Chicken Council issued a statement saying they are concerned about the “precedent set by this abrupt shift in longstanding policy.” The new rules are set to go into effect this fall and a public comment period will be announced at a later date.
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