WASHINGTON, April 26, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced its final determination to declare Salmonella an adulterant in raw breaded stuffed chicken products when they exceed a specific threshold (1 colony forming unit (CFU) per gram or higher) for Salmonella contamination.
“Under President Biden’s leadership, USDA is taking significant steps toward keeping American consumers safe from foodborne illness,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
In an effort to reduce Salmonella illnesses associated with raw poultry products in the United States, FSIS will consider any raw breaded stuffed chicken products containing a chicken component testing positive for Salmonella at 1 CFU per gram or higher to be adulterated.
The determination aims to enhance consumer safety by preventing the sale of products with levels of Salmonella contamination that could pose health risks. FSIS will enforce verification procedures, including sampling and testing of the raw chicken components before stuffing and breading, to ensure that establishments effectively control Salmonella in these products.
The CDC estimates that Salmonella bacteria cause over 1 million human infections in the U.S. each year, with food being a leading source of these infections and poultry products being a significant contributor.
This final determination is part of FSIS’ broader efforts to reduce Salmonella illnesses associated with the raw poultry supply in the United States.
USDA's continuous efforts under the Biden-Harris Administration aim to protect American consumers by ensuring food safety and preventing misleading label claims. The agency will continue to evaluate and refine its policies related to the oversight of raw breaded stuffed chicken products as advancements in science and technology become available.
USDA emphasizes its commitment to transforming America’s food system with a focus on resilience, fairness, safety, and equity. For more information and to view the final determination, visit the FSIS Federal Register Rules webpage.
