Consumer Reports Urges USDA to Take Stronger Action Against Salmonella
The nonprofit organization Consumer Reports (CR) claims that the U.S. has a “widespread” problem with Salmonella contamination in chicken products at the retail level. CR conducted an investigation of ground meat, which, according to the group, reveals gaps in the way that meat is regulated in the U.S. and highlights the need for stronger efforts to protect consumers from Salmonella contamination in chicken. The CR announcement follows a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) report that shows a 75 percent reduction in Salmonella-contaminated chicken parts at slaughter and at retail, which has not translated to a reduction in cases of salmonellosis.
CR’s investigation found Salmonella in 31 percent (23 of 75) samples of ground chicken. CR states that no single brand stood out as statistically better or worse than another with regard to Salmonella contamination. CR also reports that there was no significant difference between Salmonella contamination in ground chicken from organic and conventionally raised birds. CR found that all of the Salmonella isolates from ground chicken samples were resistant to at least one antibiotic, and 78 percent were resistant to multiple drugs.