Earlier this year, the USDA announced it would be taking action to declare Salmonella an adulterant in breaded and stuffed raw chicken products, meaning these food products will be subject to regulation if the product contains at least one Salmonella colony per gram. To help prepare for this upcoming change, Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production has released two new #ScienceHearted resources for the poultry industry, demonstrating its commitment to the industry and a safer food supply.
These impending changes are largely due to illnesses believed to be caused by customer confusion on the status of the products. These products appear cooked but are only heat-treated—a process which has a preservative effect without eliminating pathogens. Since 1998, breaded and stuffed raw chicken products have been associated with up to 14 outbreaks and approximately 200 illnesses.