Salmonella Scare at Foster Farms Leads to Changes in Poultry Inspection and Regulation

Foster Farms has been the epicenter of a salmonella outbreak for more than a year, but the company was not forced to issue a food recall for any of its chicken products because the USDA has, until recently, classified the disease as an “additive” rather than an “adulterant.”

On July 3rd, Foster Farms finally issued a voluntary food recall, but that left many consumers, critics, and legislators questioning why the USDA had so little control over an outbreak that sickened over 600 people and spread to 27 states and Puerto Rico.

Finally, on Thursday, July 31st, USDA announced revised guidelines to reform outdated practices for poultry inspection and regulations such as inspecting poultry facilities, like the much-maligned Foster Farms processing plants.

New rules require poultry processors to perform microbiological testing at two points in the production process, specifically for strains of salmonella, but also for other potential food-borne pathogens. The requirement addresses the issue of preventing the spread of food-borne illnesses, not simply dealing with problems after they arise. USDA officials believe that the move could prevent up to 5,000 food-borne infections per year.

The regulations also allow plant employees to do a poultry inspection, where they inspect the birds before processing for any physical issues such as blemishes, feces, or tumors.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the plan “imposes stricter requirements on the poultry industry and places our trained inspectors where they can better ensure food is being processed safely.”

“By allowing plant employees to conduct some preliminary sorting duties, federal inspectors will be freed to further verify testing on the spot, examine sanitation standards and enforcing safeguards throughout a processing plant,” said Joel Brandenberger, president of the National Turkey Federation.

Salmonella contagion causes an estimated 1.2 million illnesses in the US each year, with about 23,000 hospitalizations. California-based Foster Farms has been the epicenter of the salmonella problems for the past year, with around 170 different chicken products under food recall due to potential contamination.

Salmonella is one of the most common food-borne illnesses, and in healthy adults can last between 4 and 7 days. Most cases clear up on their own without treatment, but salmonella infections can be serious or fatal in young children, elderly adults, or people with compromised immune systems. Healthy people infected with salmonella can experience symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Dehydration is a potentially fatal side effect, and in rare instances, salmonella can enter the blood steam and cause heart infection or arthritis.

Food Recall and Defective Product Lawyers at the Strom Law Firm

It is important to hold manufacturers to a higher standard, and a defective products lawyer can help when a food recall has not been issued in time. The Columbia, South Carolina-based attorneys at the Strom Law Firm are licensed to practice in South Carolina, Georgia, and New York, to help you with your personal injury or food poisoning claim. We offer free consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today for help. 803.252.4800.