On October 19, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced a new initiative to reduce  Salmonella illnesses by 25%. These pilot projects focus on poultry slaughter and processing plants and will increase preharvest screenings for Salmonella to reduce the number of infected poultry entering slaughterhouses and processing plants. The goal is to detect Salmonella in birds earlier in the production process to prevent downstream implications. The program will directly impact broiler producers, though FSIS is looking to reduce Salmonella outbreaks throughout the industry.

The data gathered through this program will help determine how to further reduce Salmonella among consumers. The National Advisory Committee for Microbiological Criteria in Foods, an independent federal advisory committee, will advise FSIS on implementing the latest science for combatting Salmonella in these pilot projects. USDA encourages stakeholder program feedback and partnerships with research organizations and advisory groups.