USDA Pushes for More Pathogen Testing via Poultry Inspection

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is switching up its guidelines for the first time in over 50 years. The changes press on the importance of safety that would essentially reduce the yearly rate of foodborne illnesses.

On Thursday, health officials announced guidelines surrounding the newest rules that will lower the number of federal poultry inspectors; remaining inspectors will be instructed on how to test food mainly for safety purposes. They will also be better trained to detect hazardous issues within the workplace and be encouraged to test for pathogens in foods and facilities, in general. However, as these rules will not be mandatory, companies that do not opt in will have the same amount of government inspectors in their facilities.

The new rules will also allow companies to associate with a voluntary system that inspects their own birds for any defects before the government inspectors come in. Furthermore, the USDA said they hope that if companies can be more proactive, the government will not even need as many inspectors.

"By allowing plant employees to conduct some preliminary sorting duties, federal inspectors will be freed to further verify testing on the spot, examine sanitation standards and enforcing safeguards throughout a processing plant," said Joel Brandenberger, president of the National Turkey Federation, via FOX News.

These voluntary rules are still expected to be followed by some of the nation's largest poultry companies, according to reports. Companies will also be required to use microbiological testing as part of two separate points during the production process regardless of whether or not they choose to adopt the aforementioned rules, which have been praised by much of the poultry industries.