USDA Declares Salmonella an Adulterant in Frozen Breaded Chicken Products

The new USDA regulation mandates lower salmonella levels in certain poultry products to prevent foodborne illnesses, effective from 2025.

The USDA's new rule targets frozen breaded and stuffed chicken products, including popular items like chicken cordon bleu and chicken Kiev.
Salmonella levels above 1 colony forming unit per gram in these products will lead to them being considered adulterated and not fit for sale.
This marks the first time salmonella has been classified as an adulterant in raw poultry, aligning with past measures against E. coli in beef.
The regulation is based on data linking these products to multiple salmonella outbreaks and at least 200 illnesses since 1998.
Industry reactions are mixed, with concerns about the impact on food production and public health outcomes.