Leading consumer food safety advocates are asking the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for a six-month delay in commenting on the new poultry standard for Salmonella rolled out in July.
The request was directed to the federal regulatory docket and to USDA’s Assistant Secretary for Food Safety, Dr. Emilio Esteban.
Consumer interests are calling for a six-month extension so that FSIS can provide an opportunity for public comment and genuine dialogue with stakeholders on the need and feasibility of an additional Salmonella standard.
By asking for more time, consumer interests are recognizing that they are joining the poultry industry in wanting more comment time.
“Stop Foodborne Illness (STOP), Consumer Reports, the Consumer Federation of America and the Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health write to explain why we have joined the recent request of the Poultry Safety Coalition for an extension of the USDA Salmonella comment period in developing poultry regulations. We urge you to grant a six-month extension, and we outline here what we hope to achieve with that additional time.” states the request.
Consumer interests were also careful not to offend the USDA.
“First, however, we would like to applaud and express our sincere appreciation for this FSIS regulatory initiative,” they said. “It breaks critical new ground by proposing the first legally enforceable standards for finished products to limit the presence of dangerous Salmonella in poultry. This is common sense, but long overdue reform. You, Secretary Vilsack, Deputy Secretary Eskin, and the FSIS team deserve much credit for this USDA breakthrough in food safety policy. Well-constructed, enforceable product standards will make a big difference for consumers and public health.”
And they were clear about the reasons why they asked.
“We joined in requesting an extension of the comment period because we are concerned that the proposed rule is not comprehensive enough and may itself rule out important reforms that we believe USDA should consider including in the final rule to be included,” the report continued. “Additional time is needed for USDA to inform stakeholders of these alternatives and to solicit written comments and genuine public dialogue to arrive at the best possible rule.”
Reps. Steve Womack, R-AR, and Jim Costa, D-CA, co-chairs of the Congressional Chicken Caucus, were the first to ask USDA Secretary Vilsack for an additional 180 days to comment on the proposed Salmonella Framework.
The National Chicken Council (NCC) followed suit and wants at least a 90-day extension of the comment period on the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s proposal.
The USDA proposal is a rule that would prevent poultry producers from selling chicken and turkey contaminated with high levels of certain Salmonella.
The rule would make it illegal to sell chicken, chicken parts, ground chicken and turkey if contaminated with certain Salmonella. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service will enforce the rule, which was more than three years in the making.
“We also urge FSIS to convene one or more public stakeholder dialogue meetings, involving FSIS leaders and staff, consumer and industry representatives, and independent experts, to provide an opportunity for genuine exchange between FSIS and its stakeholders on the issues related to Salmonella spp. standard,” the consumer groups said. “Such meetings must be open to the public in accordance with (procedural) requirements and designed to both inform FSIS and build stakeholder understanding of the key issues and options for resolving them.”
“For an issue with such an impact on consumers and where USDA is breaking significant new ground, we believe USDA should provide an environment where consumer voices can be heard alongside industry and other stakeholders,” the request reads.
The consumer advocacy groups are suggesting that FSIS grant a six-month extension starting Nov. 7
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