It’s a fact that people in the United States eat more
chicken than any other meat. However, according to food safety experts, chicken
is the meat most likely to be contaminated with salmonella. Now, troubling new
information has come to light revealing how unsafe chicken really is. As
reported by Mother Jones, a new study released
by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service division claims that the process for testing
salmonella levels in chicken may not be that reliable.
chicken than any other meat. However, according to food safety experts, chicken
is the meat most likely to be contaminated with salmonella. Now, troubling new
information has come to light revealing how unsafe chicken really is. As
reported by Mother Jones, a new study released
by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service division claims that the process for testing
salmonella levels in chicken may not be that reliable.
USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) division is required
to ensure that meat entering the food supply is safe. It routinely tests
chicken in slaughterhouses for salmonella. It turns out, however, that the
process for testing chickens can generate false negative results. This means
that salmonella-infected chickens are likely entering the food supply
undetected.
to ensure that meat entering the food supply is safe. It routinely tests
chicken in slaughterhouses for salmonella. It turns out, however, that the
process for testing chickens can generate false negative results. This means
that salmonella-infected chickens are likely entering the food supply
undetected.
Part of the reason the FSIS testing process is not entirely reliable
is that birds are tested while they are still in the middle of the processing
line, not at the end of it. Tests discovered salmonella in 26.2 percent of chickens
tested at the end of the line, about six
times the rate of salmonella in chickens tested in the middle of the line.
is that birds are tested while they are still in the middle of the processing
line, not at the end of it. Tests discovered salmonella in 26.2 percent of chickens
tested at the end of the line, about six
times the rate of salmonella in chickens tested in the middle of the line.
Although a different testing protocol would improve
accuracy, FSIS has not made a change. Not surprisingly, in response to this
study, FSIS claimed that the current method is accurate. However, it also states
that the “maximum acceptable rate for positive salmonella tests is 15.4
percent. Scary, right?! Even scarier? Salmonella in chicken does not trigger a
recall. This means that people who eat chicken could be exposed
to salmonella at much higher rates than expected.
accuracy, FSIS has not made a change. Not surprisingly, in response to this
study, FSIS claimed that the current method is accurate. However, it also states
that the “maximum acceptable rate for positive salmonella tests is 15.4
percent. Scary, right?! Even scarier? Salmonella in chicken does not trigger a
recall. This means that people who eat chicken could be exposed
to salmonella at much higher rates than expected.
Salmonella is a huge public health problem that can send
people to the hospital, or in rare cases, even kill them. Unfortunately, the
number of people affected by salmonella poisoning has not significantly
declined over the past 15 years.
people to the hospital, or in rare cases, even kill them. Unfortunately, the
number of people affected by salmonella poisoning has not significantly
declined over the past 15 years.
Chicken is gross
for reasons beyond salmonella. Numerous
undercover investigations by Mercy For Animals expose
the routine abuse of chickens from hatchery to slaughterhouse. MFA has caught
workers kicking, throwing, and beating chickens, and even stomping them to
death. Living conditions for these poor animals are also horrific.
for reasons beyond salmonella. Numerous
undercover investigations by Mercy For Animals expose
the routine abuse of chickens from hatchery to slaughterhouse. MFA has caught
workers kicking, throwing, and beating chickens, and even stomping them to
death. Living conditions for these poor animals are also horrific.
With all this uncertainty about salmonella, is it worth it? The best way
to avoid salmonella and prevent animal abuse is not to eat animals. Visit ChooseVeg.com to get started.
