USDA Indefinitely Delays Salmonella Testing Program for Raw Breaded Stuffed Chicken

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that it will delay sampling and related verification activities for Salmonella in not ready-to-eat (NRTE) breaded stuffed chicken products indefinitely.

FSIS cited "current limitations in available test methods, including concerns about accuracy and unacceptably high false positives" as reasons for the delay.

In April 2024, FSIS published a final determination announcing its plan to implement sampling and testing of raw incoming chicken components used to produce raw breaded stuffed chicken products. This testing program was initially set to begin May 1 and was later postponed until Nov. 3 to “give the agency additional time to finalize relevant guidance and instructions and to prepare laboratories for sampling and testing.” A new implementation date has not been set.

Earlier this year, USDA withdrew its proposed framework for Salmonella in raw poultry products, a policy effort that had been underway for years. The agency said in April that additional consideration was needed regarding feedback received during the public comment period.

Public Meeting on Salmonella in Poultry.

Continuing the conversation on Salmonella in poultry, FSIS will host a hybrid public meeting on Jan. 14, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, to gather input on practical strategies for reducing Salmonella illnesses attributed to poultry products. The meeting will take place at USDA’s South Building in Washington, D.C., with a virtual option available.

The meeting will focus on gathering feedback from the public on:

• How FSIS data informs business decisions
• Suggestions for improving FSIS data accessibility and usability
• Barriers to implementing additional Salmonella controls
• Incentives and support for small producers
• Use of serotype, enumeration and genomic factors (e.g., virulence or antimicrobial resistance)
• Supporting data, public health impact, available technology and industry feasibility
• Product type, sampling frequency and lotting
• Alternative or innovative strategies to reduce Salmonella illnesses

Leading up to the meeting, FSIS held a series of roundtable discussions with 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, said the agency.

Register for the webinar here.