The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to declare that not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) breaded stuffed chicken products that contain Salmonella at levels of 1 colony forming unit (CFU) per gram or higher are adulterated within the meaning of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA). Although the labeling of these products has undergone significant changes over time to better inform consumers that they are raw and to provide instructions on how to prepare them safely, NRTE breaded stuffed chicken products continue to be associated with Salmonella illness outbreaks. Therefore, FSIS has concluded that public health measures that focus primarily on product labeling and consumer handling practices have not been effective in preventing additional foodborne illnesses associated with NRTE breaded stuffed chicken products. FSIS is also proposing to carry out verification procedures, including sampling and testing of the chicken component of these products prior to stuffing and breading, to ensure producing establishments control Salmonella in these products.

Dates

Comments on this proposed determination and the proposed verification procedures must be received on or before June 27, 2023. FSIS specifically requests comments on alternative bases for determining adulteration of breaded stuffed NRTE products.

Addresses

FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this document. Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides the ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for submitting comments.
• Mail: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Washington, DC 20250–3700.
• Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 350–E, Washington, DC 20250–3700.

Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the Agency name and docket number FSIS–2022–0013. Comments received in response to this docket will be made available for public inspection and posted without change, including any personal information, to https://www.regulations.gov.

Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, call (202) 937–4272 to schedule a time to visit the FSIS Docket Room at 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250–3700.

For Further Information Contact

Rachel Edelstein, Assistant Administrator, Office of Policy and Program Development, FSIS, USDA; Telephone: (202) 937–4272.