Posted November 14, 2013
In response to recent statements from lawmakers, the
USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a correction, stating that
poultry from China is not allowed for import to the United States, according to
an Agri-Pulse article available here.
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Representative Rosa
DeLauro (D-CT) made strongly-worded statements against USDA’s supposed approval
of importing poultry processed in China.
Rep. DeLauro stated, “From chicken filled with illegal
drugs, to pet treats filled with contaminated chicken, to the ongoing bird flu
epidemic, China’s atrocious food safety record, and related concerns in the
poultry sector make abundantly clear the current course being pursued by USDA
jeopardizes the health of American consumers.”
Sen. Schumer’s statements are available here.
USDA issued a correction in response, stating “USDA has
not found China’s poultry slaughter system to be equivalent and therefore
poultry slaughtered in China is not allowed to be imported to the United
States. The U.S. food supply is among
the safest in the world, and the Food Safety Inspection Service is dedicated to
maintaining that status.” The USDA
correction response is available here.
USDA is current conducting an audit of China’s poultry
slaughter system, but the report has not been finalized. The Hill also reported on the story here.
For more information on food safety, please visit the
National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
