Notice2025-21738
Exploring Practical Strategies To Reduce Salmonella in Poultry Products
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Published
December 2, 2025
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentFood Safety and Inspection Service
Abstract
FSIS will hold a public meeting on January 14, 2026, to discuss practical strategies for reducing Salmonella illnesses attributed to poultry products. This meeting supports USDA's broader food safety initiative and follows the withdrawal of the previous Salmonella framework proposed rule in response to issues raised in the public comments. FSIS is seeking input on how to address Salmonella through better use of data, alternative performance standard parameters, and policy options that reflect both public health goals and industry realities, especially for small and very small producers.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 229 (Tuesday, December 2, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 229 (Tuesday, December 2, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55297-55299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-21738]
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Notices
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Federal Register / Vol. 90 , No. 229 / Tuesday, December 2, 2025 /
Notices
[[Page 55297]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. FSIS-2025-0179]
Exploring Practical Strategies To Reduce Salmonella in Poultry
Products
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
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SUMMARY: FSIS will hold a public meeting on January 14, 2026, to
discuss practical strategies for reducing Salmonella illnesses
attributed to poultry products. This meeting supports USDA's broader
food safety initiative and follows the withdrawal of the previous
Salmonella framework proposed rule in response to issues raised in the
public comments. FSIS is seeking input on how to address Salmonella
through better use of data, alternative performance standard
parameters, and policy options that reflect both public health goals
and industry realities, especially for small and very small producers.
DATES: The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026,
from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST. All attendees, whether attending in
person or virtually, must register for the meeting by January 7, 2026.
Attendees planning to share public comments during the meeting must
register by January 5, 2026.
Submit comments on or before February 2, 2026.
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held in person at the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, South Building, Jefferson Auditorium, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250. Attendees must enter
through Wing 3 on Independence Avenue and pass through USDA security
screening. The South Building is a Federal facility and attendees
should allow adequate time to pass through the security screening
system. A valid photo ID is required to enter the building. FSIS will
also provide a virtual option for individuals who wish to participate
and provide comments to the meeting remotely. Registration instructions
and meeting materials will be available on the FSIS website at: <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/registration-2026-salmonella-meeting">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/registration-2026-salmonella-meeting</a>. The agenda and
transcripts will be available on the FSIS website at: <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/events-meetings">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/events-meetings</a>. Sign language
interpreter services will be provided.
Comments on this notice may be made by one of the following
methods:
<bullet> 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 <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for
submitting comments.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> 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-2025-0179. Comments
received in response to this docket will be made available for public
inspection and posted without change, including any personal
information, to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Docket: For access to background documents or comments received,
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dabeb5b9b1bfaeb9b6bfa8b19aafa9bebbf4bdb5ac"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3c58535f5759485f50594e577c494f585d125b534a">[email protected]</span></a> or call 202-286-2255 to schedule a time to
visit the FSIS Docket Room at 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20250-3700.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions related to the public
meeting, please contact the FSIS Office of Public Affairs and Consumer
Education at 202-853-6166 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5214001c12272136337c353d24"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c781958987b2b4a3a6e9a0a8b1">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
FSIS is the public health agency in USDA whose mission is to ensure
that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and properly
labeled. Salmonella remains a leading cause of foodborne illness in the
United States, and poultry products continue to be a leading source of
exposure among products under FSIS jurisdiction.
Between 2017 to 2021, the number of chicken samples in which FSIS
detected Salmonella decreased by more than 50%. However, from 2021 to
2024, no further significant reductions in Salmonella contamination
have been observed for any type of poultry products sampled by FSIS.
Given this plateau in contamination levels, FSIS is exploring how to
further drive reductions in Salmonella contamination. Modern laboratory
technologies, including methods to serotype and rapidly enumerate
Salmonella, provide FSIS with opportunities to refine its current
performance standard approach.
According to the most recent report from the Interagency Food
Safety Analytics Collaboration (2022), approximately 25% of foodborne
Salmonella illnesses are attributable to poultry--about 20% from
chicken and just over 5% from turkey.\1\ While poultry remains a
significant source of Salmonella illnesses, a separate analysis of
reported illnesses found that illnesses caused by poultry-associated
Salmonella serotypes declined between 1996 and 2019, whereas those
linked to non-poultry-associated serotypes increased.\2\ This reduction
occurred despite a roughly 15% increase in per capita chicken
consumption over the same time period. A second study, which accounts
for these changes in consumption, found a 19% reduction in the
probability of illness per serving of chicken during a slightly
different time period (1998 through 2017).\3\
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\1\ <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ifsac/php/data-research/annual-reports/index.html">https://www.cdc.gov/ifsac/php/data-research/annual-reports/index.html</a>.
\2\ <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/risa.14181">https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/risa.14181</a>.
\3\ Williams, M.S., and E.D. Ebel. 2022. Temporal changes in the
proportion of Salmonella outbreaks associated with 12 food commodity
groups in the United States. Epidemiology and Infection. 150:e126.
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In August 2024, FSIS published a proposed rule and determination
titled ``Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products'' in the Federal
Register (89 FR 64678). The proposal outlined a strategy to reduce
Salmonella-related illnesses by establishing final product standards
[[Page 55298]]
based on specific Salmonella levels and serotypes, revising microbial
monitoring requirements, and incorporating Statistical Process Control
(SPC) methods.
FSIS received over 7,000 public comments on the proposed framework.
Stakeholders raised concerns about FSIS' legal authority, the
scientific basis for the proposed standards, and the potential economic
impacts--particularly on small poultry growers and processors. After
reviewing the comments, FSIS withdrew the proposed rule and
determination on April 25, 2025 (90 FR 17344), to further evaluate its
approach. In the withdrawal notice, the Agency reaffirmed its
commitment to reduce Salmonella illnesses but acknowledged that several
key issues raised in the comments warranted additional consideration.
Shortly after the withdrawal notice, on July 15, 2025, Secretary of
Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a comprehensive plan to strengthen
USDA's efforts to combat foodborne illness.\4\ The plan emphasizes
science-based strategies, practical implementation, and strong
partnerships across the food system. FSIS' continued assessment of its
Salmonella strategy aligns with the broader goals outlined in this
plan.
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\4\ <a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAOC/bulletins/3e98d3a">https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAOC/bulletins/3e98d3a</a>.
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Public Meeting
As part of its ongoing reassessment of its Salmonella strategy,
FSIS will hold a public meeting on January 14, 2026, to gather input on
innovative, practical, and science-based strategies to further reduce
Salmonella illnesses associated with poultry products.
Leading up to the meeting, FSIS held a series of interactive
roundtable discussions with various stakeholders, including
representatives from large and small poultry establishments, industry
associations, commercial purchasers of raw poultry, academia, and
consumer advocacy groups. These discussions focused on broad policy and
technical issues related to Salmonella control. The public meeting will
build upon those conversations and provide an opportunity for
additional stakeholders to share their perspectives.
This meeting will focus on gathering feedback from the public on
these four key topic areas:
1. FSIS Data Uses and Opportunities
<bullet> How FSIS data inform business decisions
<bullet> Suggestions for improving FSIS data accessibility and
usability
2. Factors that inform Salmonella Controls
<bullet> Barriers to implementing additional controls
<bullet> Incentives and support for small producers
3. Alternative Parameters for Performance Standards
<bullet> Use of serotype, enumeration, genomic factors (e.g.,
virulence or antimicrobial resistance)
<bullet> Supporting data, public health impact, available
technology, and industry feasibility
<bullet> Product type, sampling frequency, or lotting
4. Policy Options Beyond Current Performance Standards
<bullet> Alternative or innovative strategies to reduce Salmonella
illnesses
An agenda will be published online before the public meeting. FSIS
will finalize the agenda on or before the meeting date and post it on
the FSIS website at: <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/events-meetings">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/events-meetings</a>.
Registration
There is no fee to register for the public meeting, but
registration is required for all participants attending either in
person or virtually. All attendees must register online by visiting
<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/registration-2026-salmonella-meeting">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/registration-2026-salmonella-meeting</a>, after
which they will receive an email acknowledging their registration.
Stakeholders who wish to speak at the meeting must notify FSIS during
registration and must register by January 5, 2026. Attendees that do
not plan to speak at the public meeting must register by January 7,
2026.
Public Comments and Participation in Meetings
Stakeholders may attend the meeting either in person or virtually.
Those who indicate during registration that they wish to speak--whether
attending in person or virtually--will have the opportunity to provide
oral comments. Each speaker will be limited to three minutes. Attendees
who wish to speak must indicate their interest and the topic(s) they
wish to address when registering. Due to anticipated high interest and
limited time, FSIS will do its best to accommodate all who pre-register
to speak. Speaking slots will be assigned in the order of registration
and generally organized by topic area(s), and FSIS will notify speakers
in advance of their approximate speaking time.
Stakeholders who do not indicate their intent to speak during
registration may not be able to provide oral comments during the
meeting due to time constraints. However, there will be an open comment
period at the end of the meeting for general questions or remarks.
Written comments may also be submitted as described in the ADDRESSES
section above.
Transcripts
As soon as the meeting transcripts are available, they will be
accessible on the FSIS website at: <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/events-meetings">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/events-meetings</a>.
Additional Public Notification
Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy
development is important. Consequently, FSIS will announce this Federal
Register publication on-line through the FSIS web page located at:
<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register</a>. FSIS will also announce and
provide a link through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to
provide information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations,
Federal Register notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of
information that could affect or would be of interest to our
constituents and stakeholders. The Constituent Update is available on
the FSIS web page. Through the web page, FSIS is able to provide
information to a much broader, more diverse audience. In addition, FSIS
offers an email subscription service which provides automatic and
customized access to selected food safety news and information. This
service is available at: <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe</a>. Options
range from recalls to export information, regulations, directives, and
notices. Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves and have
the option to password protect their accounts.
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights
regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, employees,
and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are
prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin,
religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status,
income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or
reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program
or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all
programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or
incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the
[[Page 55299]]
responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and
TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-
8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in
languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to
File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write
a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the
information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint
form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA
by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#69191b060e1b08044700071d08020c291c1a0d08470e061f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="acdcdec3cbdecdc182c5c2d8cdc7c9ecd9dfc8cd82cbc3da">[email protected]</span></a>.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Denise Eblen,
Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2025-21738 Filed 12-1-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P
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