Three senators urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reduce levels of salmonella and campylobacter in chicken and turkey products through development of food safety standards, according to Agri-Pulse.
“We write to urge you to develop strong performance standards for poultry products that will significantly reduce foodborne illnesses and deaths,” Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) wrote in a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
The USDA is planning to finalize a proposed rule by the end of the year that seeks to create a new, faster inspection system at poultry harvesting plants.