Meat and poultry indsutry trade associations are voicing support for the US Deoartment of Agriculture's plan to bolster USDA’s efforts to combat foodborne illness.

The plan, announced July 15, 2025, by US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, aims to further USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service efforts to protect the nation’s food supply.

“The Meat Institute appreciates Secretary Rollins’ bold investment and prioritization of tools to combat foodborne illness,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “At the same time, our members are leading an effort to ensure food safety remains a critical focus of the top executives of each company. The goal is to prioritize food safety in all operations from the C-suite to the consumer. We appreciate USDA’s partnership in reducing foodborne illness and we are eager to work with USDA on this shared priority.”

The National Chicken Council welcomed USDA 's announcement, stating the council's commitment to working with FSIS to build on the industry’s progress in reducing Salmonella.

“America’s chicken producers appreciate USDA’s common sense, and science-based approach to achieve improvements in food safety,” said Ashley Peterson, NCC senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs. “We remain committed to working with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on an approach that will build on the industry’s tremendous progress in reducing Salmonella through policy that is based on sound science, is implementable, and will have a meaningful and measured impact on public health.”

Announced July 15, 2025, at the opening of USDA’s new Midwestern Food Safety Laboratory, USDA’s plan to bolster food safety includes:

• enhancing microbiological testing and inspection oversight;
• equipping FSIS inspectors with updated training and tools;
• strengthening partnerships with states
• empowering FSIS inspectors to take action to furhter compliance.