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FSIS is giving everyone another 72 days to comment on the Salmonella rule for poultry

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FSIS is giving everyone another 72 days to comment on the Salmonella rule for poultry

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service has granted a second extension of the comment period for the Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products proposed a rule and provision — this time until January 17, 2025.

By adding another two months and eleven days to the clock, FSIS falls short of the six-month extension that leading food safety consumer advocates requested, which was in line with the poultry industry’s requests for more time.

The proposed poultry standard for Salmonella was rolled out in July. The USDA rule would prevent poultry producers from selling chicken and turkey contaminated with certain Salmonella. Consumer and industry groups appear to agree that the rule is complicated.

The deadline for submitting comments was originally scheduled for October 7, but was initially extended until November 7.

Consumer advocates from 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 joined the Poultry Safety Coalition in asking for an extension.

Reps. Steve Womack, R-AR, and Jim Costa, D-CA, co-chairs of the Congressional Chicken Caucus, quickly asked USDA Secretary Vilsack for an additional 180 days of comment on the proposed Salmonella rule.

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 new extension is valid for 72 days.

“We joined in requesting an extension of the comment period because we are concerned that the proposed rule is not comprehensive enough and may in itself exclude important reforms that we believe USDA should consider including in the final rule included,” said the consumer organizations. “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.”

FSIS said that following the initial extension, stakeholders, including consumer groups, industry associations and academia, submitted requests to FSIS to further extend the comment period to allow sufficient time to consider the proposal and supporting documentation and comment on these documents to formulate.

Comments may be submitted online through the federal eRulemaking portal, available at www.regulations.gov; mailed to Docket Clerk, US Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Washington, DC 20250-3700, or delivered by hand or courier to 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Jamie L. Whitten Building , Room 350-E, Washington, DC 20250-3700. All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the agency name and docket number FSIS-2023-0028.

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