Leading consumer interests advocating food safety are asking USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for a six-month comment extension for the new poultry standard for Salmonella that was rolled out in July. The request was made to the federal rulemaking docket and USDA’s Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Emilio Esteban.
The consumer interests request a six-month extension so that FSIS can provide an opportunity for public comment and genuine stakeholder dialogue on the need for and feasibility of a complementary Salmonella standard. In asking for more time, the consumer interests acknowledge they are joining with the poultry industry in wanting more comment time. “Stop Foodborne Illness (STOP), Consumer Reports, the Consumer Federation of America, and the Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health are writing to explain why we joined the Poultry Safety Coalition’s recent request for an extension of the comment period on USDA’s Salmonella in poultry rule-making.
We urge you to grant a six-month extension, and we outline here what we hope can be accomplished with that additional time.” states the request. The consumer interests were also careful not to offend the USDA.
“First, however, we want to applaud and express sincere appreciation for this FSIS rulemaking initiative,” they said. “It breaks critically important new ground by proposing the first legally enforceab.
