Exploring Practical Strategies to Reduce Salmonella in Poultry Products

FSIS is holding a public meeting and open comment period under Docket No. FSIS-2025-0179 to gather stakeholder input on future strategies to reduce Salmonella illnesses associated with poultry products. This follows the withdrawal of FSIS's earlier proposed Salmonella framework, and the agency is now seeking feedback on alternative policy approaches, data use, performance measures, and practical implementation considerations. 

FSIS has specifically invited comments on:

• How data should be used to drive Salmonella reduction strategies
• Potential performance standards or control approaches
• Ways to improve public health outcomes without unintended consequences
• Practical impacts on establishments, including our small and very small processors

Before submitting my own thoughts and comments, I'm interested in hearing your perspectives/insights. 

For context, the previous withdrawn proposal suggested (v simplified):

1. Adulteration determinations would be based on Salmonella levels and serotypes
2. Serotypes of concern (specific strains would carry more penalty)
3. Enhanced process monitoring (more frequency w/ additional required locations like rehang and post-chill)

Are there gaps or ambiguities in current FSIS/FDA guidance that should be addressed?

I appreciate any insights as I shape my own comments for the docket. Wishing everyone well during the holiday season :)

I think it's a shame they've back tracked

When Canada changed the rules on breaded chicken the following positives followed

• Reduced Contamination: A study found Salmonella prevalence in FBCPs dropped from 28% to 2.9% after the rule.
• Fewer Illnesses: The rules led to an estimated 23% reduction in Salmonella illnesses typically linked to these products.

Why doesn't the US adopt vaccination in broilers as standard? Obviously that's not the only control but it seems nuts not to.

Why doesn't the US adopt vaccination in broilers as standard? Obviously that's not the only control but it seems nuts not to.

In order for this to succeed, responsibilities must be clearly defined and there should be incentive(s) for adopting new practices, even if it is only initially for trial periods to gather data. Another challenge that I feel we don't mention is how large companies are resistant to change, particularly in the poultry industry, which often relies on longstanding personal relationships and established networks. 

That being said, I have very little faith in our gov to push this through, would 'cost too much' in subsidy

In order for this to succeed, responsibilities must be clearly defined and there should be incentive(s) for adopting new practices, even if it is only initially for trial periods to gather data. Another challenge that I feel we don't mention is how large companies are resistant to change, particularly in the poultry industry, which often relies on longstanding personal relationships and established networks. 

 

That being said, I have very little faith in our gov to push this through, would 'cost too much' in subsidy

But chicken is cheap here? Surely vaccination is cheaper long term as it will help reduce loss as well? It might be a saving?

I have no idea how this compares with the US but this is a standard large chicken here (everything is bigger in America right so who knows if this is large over there) but this is 1.7kg minimum (3 lb 12 oz) would serve 6.

Tesco Large Whole Chicken 1.7-2.1kg - Tesco Groceries

That costs £5.15 or £4.60 if you have a clubcard (which everyone does). That's just over $6. Is chicken that cheap over there?

But chicken is cheap here? Surely vaccination is cheaper long term as it will help reduce loss as well? It might be a saving?

I have no idea how this compares with the US but this is a standard large chicken here (everything is bigger in America right so who knows if this is large over there) but this is 1.7kg minimum (3 lb 12 oz) would serve 6.

 

Tesco Large Whole Chicken 1.7-2.1kg - Tesco Groceries

 

That costs £5.15 or £4.60 if you have a clubcard (which everyone does). That's just over $6. Is chicken that cheap over there?

Yes, chicken is relatively inexpensive here, but in the U.S., the retail price for Whole Bird (WB) can easily hit $2/lb (~£3.75/kg) at major chains. I agree that vaccination programs would likely be cheaper in the long term, particularly if they reduce flock losses and improve overall flock health.

The challenge, in my mind, is not the cost of the vaccine itself (though no party 'wants' to pick up this cost), but the upfront investment: educating staff, updating procedures, documenting compliance, and training teams. Many producers are hesitant to overhaul systems that 'already work,' even if they're less efficient or riskier in the long run. 

Vaccination will never happen in a broad scale in the USA as too many producers (think Tyson) see it as an added expense with zero benefit and flock sizes will never go down either 

The problem is the slaughter houses are NOT following the pathogen control problem that is already established (IMHO) e.g. proper sanitizer levels in chill tanks, ensuring your adding enough make up water to the chill tanks, no clear and proper segregation between value added and evis, I could go on and on

Vaccination will never happen in a broad scale in the USA as too many producers (think Tyson) see it as an added expense with zero benefit and flock sizes will never go down either 

 

 

The problem is the slaughter houses are NOT following the pathogen control problem that is already established (IMHO) e.g. proper sanitizer levels in chill tanks, ensuring your adding enough make up water to the chill tanks, no clear and proper segregation between value added and evis, I could go on and on

While sanitation has always been a challenge, there is always a drive to minimize costs by relying on the cheapest labor or outsourcing critical functions. This fragmentation of responsibility allows accountability to be diluted. Deflecting blame is the game, rather than addressing larger systematic issues. Entrenched industry influence has created structural resistance to adopting well-supported public health interventions. 

Regulatory capture has become the status quo, largely independent of specific markets.