There is a widespread criticism from public health groups and consumer advocates, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has withdrawn its proposed rule that would have made it illegal to sell poultry contaminated with dangerous strains of Salmonella. The rule was initially part of the USDA’s “Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry” — a long-awaited initiative to curb rising foodborne illnesses linked to chicken and turkey.

What Was Proposed?

The rule, published on August 7, 2024, aimed to classify poultry products as “adulterated” if they were contaminated with high levels of specific Salmonella strains, such as Infantis, Enteritidis, and Typhimurium — the three most notorious for causing human illness. Over 7,000 comments were received during the public consultation period, with major poultry producers opposing the rule and consumer safety organizations strongly supporting it.

The Stakes: Rising Health Risks

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), poultry is the leading source of foodborne Salmonella infections. Chicken alone is linked to an estimated 195,634 illnesses annually, costing Americans approximately $2.8 billion each year in medical expenses and productivity losses. Despite these alarming numbers, the USDA’s final withdrawal notice on April 24, 2025 did not directly address the health and economic burden of Salmonella.

Consumer Reports’ past investigations revealed that almost one-third of ground chicken samples tested contained Salmonella, and 91% of those samples were infected with the strains most dangerous to human health.

Reaction from the Food Safety Community

The rollback has been met with strong backlash from food safety experts:

• Sandra Eskin, former USDA Deputy Under Secretary and now CEO of STOP Foodborne Illness, called the decision “premature and reckless,” accusing the USDA of neglecting its duty to protect public health.
• Bill Marler, renowned food safety attorney, criticized the decision, saying it undermines the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda and will inevitably increase sickness, especially among vulnerable populations.
• Sarah Sorscher from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) stated bluntly, “Shipping more Salmonella to restaurants and grocery stores is certain to make Americans sicker.”
• Brian Ronholm of Consumer Reports highlighted the timing of this decision amidst budget cuts, staff reductions, and delays in FDA food safety regulations, adding that “consumers will be on their own when it comes to protecting their families.”

What This Means for Consumers

The USDA’s withdrawal of the rule effectively means that raw poultry containing even dangerous strains of Salmonella can legally remain on the market. The decision shifts the burden of food safety to consumers, who must now rely more heavily on proper cooking and handling to avoid illness — a task easier said than done, especially in vulnerable households with children, elderly, or immunocompromised individuals.

The Bigger Picture

Foodborne illness from Salmonella is preventable, yet the withdrawal of this regulation signals a policy shift away from proactive prevention and toward reactive consumer responsibility. With no mandatory restrictions on Salmonella levels in raw poultry, the U.S. now lags behind other countries that have stricter microbial limits in place.

Source: Food Safety News