Chicken lobby wants to delay deadline for commenting on Salmonella regulation

First, the Congressional Chicken Caucus Co-chairs, Representatives Steve Womack, R-AR, and Jim Costa, D-CA, asked USDA Secretary Vilsack for an additional 180 days for comments on the proposed Salmonella Framework in a letter.

The National Chicken Council (NCC) wants at least a 90-day extension of the comment period for the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s (FSIS) proposal.

In July, the USDA proposed a rule that would stop poultry producers from selling chicken and turkey contaminated with high levels of certain types of Salmonella.

The rule would make it illegal to sell chicken, chicken parts, ground chicken, and turkey if they are found to be contaminated with certain types of Salmonella. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service will apply the rule, which was more than three years in the making. 

Once published in the Federal Register, the public and entities, including industry organizations, individual producers, and consumer groups, first had 60 days to comment, but that was already extended.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service estimates the proposed rule would result in benefits to society of $20.5 million per year, ranging from $4.4 million to $39 million. Most of the benefits would be derived from preventable illnesses of $12.9 million annually, ranging from $0.3 million to $28.7 million. FSIS also estimated avoided costs from a reduction in the risk of outbreak-related recalls for the industry. Additional industry actions in response to this proposal may lead to further benefits, according to the FSIS.

The influential trade association stated in its letter that it was pleased when the agency announced it would hold two webinars about the proposed rule, “Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products.”

 In an August constituent update, FSIS explained that participants in the webinars on Sept. 9 and 10 could ask clarifying or technical questions during those meetings.

The chicken lobbyist group’s science and regulatory staff found the webinars failed to provide meaningful insights or clarification on most of the clarifying and technical questions asked by participants, including representatives from very small, small, and large establishments, public health officials, trade association representatives, and other stakeholders.

“Again, although we appreciate the 30 days provided by the agency extending the comment period until Nov. 7, 2024, we reiterate the need for an additional 90 days to provide a complete and comprehensive review of all aspects of the proposal,” Peterson concluded.  “The voluminous amount of information required to be read, digested, analyzed, and responded to requires considerable time, resources, and scientific expertise. In light of the agency continuing to encourage feedback on the proposed Salmonella Framework, additional time is needed to provide the agency with the type of feedback required for a proposal of this magnitude.”

“NCC and our member companies made great efforts to develop and submit questions that would have been very helpful in aiding the industry’s understanding of the proposal,”  the statement continued.  “However, these webinars failed to fulfill their announced goal, as most clarifying and technical questions remain unanswered. In sum, it is evident that there are more questions than answers at this point. The lack of clarity around many aspects of the proposal directly impedes NCC’s and our members’ ability to comment meaningfully.”

The chicken council said the webinars showed that FSIS had limited guidance to offer the industry on how FSIS would implement the proposal as written.

In August, FSIS announced that it would extend the comment period for its proposed rule until Nov. 7, 2024.  The Congressional Chicken Caucus request for a 180-day extension would move the deadline to April 4, 2025.

NCC officials argue that industry experts still must read and analyze “voluminous” information, which requires more time.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)

Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/09/the-deadline-for-commenting-on-the-new-salmonella-regulation-might-move-to-2025/