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Find answers to questions on inspection-related policies, programs, systems, and procedures.

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State Inspection

Apply for Federal or State inspection. States operate under a cooperative agreement with FSIS.

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Participate in Creating Standards

FSIS invites the food safety community to participate in establishing standards for our food safety policies and services. Join us for public meetings or respond to comment requests.

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Reducing Salmonella in Poultry

On October 19, 2021, USDA announced that FSIS would be mobilizing a stronger and more comprehensive effort to reduce Salmonella illnesses associated with poultry products. The agency has undertaken several key activities to gather the data and information necessary to support future action and move closer to the national target of a 25% reduction in Salmonella illnesses.

If you have questions or suggestions about reducing Salmonella in poultry, please email salmonella@usda.gov.

Proposed Regulatory Framework to Reduce Salmonella Illnesses Attributable to Poultry

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is considering a regulatory framework for a new strategy to control Salmonella in poultry products and more effectively reduce foodborne Salmonella infections linked to these products. The framework under consideration has been shaped by months of information-gathering and discussions with a wide range of stakeholders,
researchers, and scientists.

Explore the Framework

Proposal to Make Salmonella an Adulterant in Breaded Stuffed Raw Chicken

“USDA is taking science-based, decisive action to drive down Salmonella illnesses linked to poultry products,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Today’s proposal represents the first step in a broader effort to control Salmonella contamination in all poultry products, as well as a continued commitment to protecting American consumers from foodborne illness.”

Raw Poultry Rinse Samples

FSIS laboratories will begin using quantification for Salmonella in raw poultry rinses.

Read the Constituent Update

Exploratory Sampling

FSIS Notice 44-22 revises our young chicken carcass exploratory sampling program.

Read the Notice

Salmonella Science & Research

USDA brought together research scientists to discuss scientific support for potential components of a revised strategy for Salmonella controls in poultry.

View the Event

Salmonella By the Numbers

Dive Deeper Into the Data & Research

1.35 million

The rate of Salmonella infections has remained consistent over the last two decades, with an estimated 1.35 million infections in the U.S. each year.

23%

It is estimated that over 23% of foodborne Salmonella illnesses are due to eating chicken or turkey.

50%

During 2017–2021, FSIS measured a 50% decrease in the proportion of chicken samples positive for Salmonella.

25%

FSIS needs a new approach to reach the Healthy People 2030 target of 25% reduction in Salmonella illnesses.

Salmonella Risk Assessments & Risk Management Questions

FSIS is conducting two quantitative risk assessments – one for Salmonella in chicken and one for Salmonella in turkey. These risk assessments will answer several key risk management questions.

Learn More About the Risk Assessments

Scientific Input

The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will be providing guidance on microbiological criterial to reduce foodborne illness.

Learn About Their Work

2022-2026 Key Performance Indicator (KPI)

USDA has set a key performance indicator for a reduction in the proportion of poultry samples with Salmonella serotypes commonly associated with human illness. This KPI will be used to evaluate our progress towards reaching the objectives and goals identified by both the department and the agency.

Learn More About Our KPI

Support & Input from Stakeholders

We value the expertise, input and perspectives of our stakeholders and welcome their thoughts on how USDA can move forward and make progress on reducing Salmonella in poultry products. Read some of their letters below.

Poultry Food Safety Improvements - a letter sharing thoughts and viewpoints from a coalition of food safety leaders
Recommendations to Reduce Salmonella - a letter from the Coalition for Poultry Safety Reform

Food Safety is About People

Each case of foodborne illness represents someone whose life was impacted. And among the most vulnerable — children, the elderly, and those with underlying health issues — those impacts can be serious, leading to physical, emotional, and financial harm.

Read the USDA Blog

Pilot Projects

Poultry slaughter and processing establishments are invited to submit proposals for pilot projects that will test different control strategies for Salmonella contamination.

Propose a Pilot