WHAT HAPPENED: In its June 26 Constituent Update, FSIS announced a new pilot program allowing poultry processing establishments to test alternative approaches to managing Salmonella. The pilot is open to chicken and turkey slaughter and processing establishments subject to one or more existing Salmonella performance standards for carcasses, parts, or comminuted products.
WHAT IS BIOMAPPING? Biomapping is a facility-specific testing approach in which an establishment samples and tests multiple sites throughout its slaughter and processing operations — rather than relying solely on standard end-product testing points — to identify where and how Salmonella levels change as product moves through the facility.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE: To participate, establishments must either incorporate Salmonella biomapping into their food safety system or include a validated Critical Control Point (CCP) for Salmonella control in their HACCP plan. Facilities that already conduct biomapping or have implemented a validated CCP are also eligible to participate.
WHAT ELSE IS IN THE PROGRAM: FSIS plans to evaluate a shortened moving window for Salmonella performance standards, moving from the current 52-week window to a variable window beginning at 13 weeks, with a maximum of 52 weeks. FSIS will also consider waiver requests submitted through the Salmonella Initiative Program (SIP) for alternative carcass microbial sampling frequencies.
Under the pilot, establishments using this option must submit a sampling plan identifying the specific locations where Salmonella samples will be collected and enumerated. The resulting data is intended to give both the establishment and FSIS a clearer picture of where contamination risk is concentrated, supporting more targeted interventions.
WHY IT MATTERS: Information gathered through the pilot could inform future regulatory changes and support updates regarding how the Agency evaluates and enforces Salmonella performance standards. The pilot program follows a public meeting held January 14 that discussed practical strategies for reducing Salmonella illnesses tied to poultry products, signaling continued agency focus on data-driven, plant-specific control strategies rather than one-size-fits-all standards.
NCC’s TAKE: We appreciate the Agency working with industry to collect data that will aid in making informed and science-based regulatory decisions.
WHAT’S NEXT: For establishments approved to participate in this pilot, FSIS inspection personnel will routinely verify collected biomapping data. Establishments opting to participate in the CCP pilot must submit information to FSIS describing the validated Salmonella intervention in their HACCP plan.
NCC features in a short spotlight column the official representative from each of our Allied Leader and Allied Member companies. This week’s Allied Leader Spotlight is Josh Gillespie, Vice President of Sales, at BAADER.
We asked Josh three questions:
In 2-3 sentences, describe what good or service your company provides to the broiler industry: BAADER is a global corporation, offering a portfolio of wall to wall of poultry processing solutions that aim to make food processing humane, hygienic, efficient, and safe. With the help of digitalization, we offer user-friendly software and monitoring systems that increase efficiency and waste reduction. We enable our customers to create plants of the future and set new standards in the food industry.
Briefly describe your position and responsibilities within the company: As VP of Sales in BAADER Food Systems USA Inc, I am responsible for all equipment sales within the US and Canada. With over 25 years of experience in poultry processing, I utilize my expertise, professional demeanor and strategic thinking to lead the sales force and spearhead new initiatives to further strengthen our market presence.
What is your favorite chicken dish: Marry Me Chicken – rich cheesy sauce, fresh herbs, pasta and of course the star of the show, Chicken.
The USPOULTRY Board of Directors gathered in beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, June 25-27, for their summer board meeting. Thank you, USPOULTRY, for including NCC to help collaborate on initiatives that will continue moving the poultry industry forward. It was business by day and Idaho adventures in between.
Tom Super, NCC SVP of Communications, speaks to the USPOULTRY Board about opportunities for collaboration, generative artificial intelligence and other public affairs and communications issues in the poultry industry
The welcome reception and dinner was held on the front lawn of the Coeur d’Alene Resort. Members and guests watched the World Cup match between USA and Turkey on a screen outside.
The par-3 14th hole at The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course, featuring the first and only floating, movable island green. The 2,200-ton, 15,000-square-foot island uses an underwater cable system to change position daily. Source: The Coeur d’Alene Resort
The ferry ride to the 14th green. L-R: Thomas Super; Tom Super, NCC; Brian Roberts, Case Farms; West Roberts. We won’t say who hit the green and who didn’t.
Celebrating America’s 250th
The closing reception & dinner was a lake cruise aboard the Mish-an-Nock. NCC members gathered for a photo. L-R: Mikell Fries, Claxton; Joel Sappenfield, Simmons; John Wright, Fieldale; Bernard Leonard, Tyson (retired) and former NCC Chair; Tom Super, NCC; Kevin McDaniel, Wayne-Sanderson and current NCC Vice Chair; Tim Stiller, Foster Farms; Bill Griffith, Peco and NCC Immediate Past Chair; Brian Roberts, Case; and Monty Henderson, George’s (retired)
This Fourth of July marks 250 years of American independence. We’re grateful for the farmers, workers, and families who help fuel the cookouts and backyard celebrations — one wing and drumstick at a time. From all of us at NCC, Happy 4th — and Happy 250th, America! #ChickenUSA
WHAT HAPPENED: The Supreme Court on Thursday cleared the way for the Trump administration to remove legal protections from thousands of Haitian and Syrian immigrants in the United States, meaning they could be subject to deportation. The decision, in Mullin v. Doe (Nos. 25-1083 and 25-1084), was decided June 25. The question before the Court was whether challengers to the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals from Syria and Haiti were entitled to orders postponing the terminations during litigation. The Court ruled they were not. The Court also rejected a claim that the decision to remove protections for Haitians was discriminatory. Last year, the Supreme Court in two separate decisions allowed the Trump administration to revoke the same kind of legal status from 600,000 Venezuelans in the U.S.
WHY IT MATTERS: TPS provides work authorization to nationals from designated countries experiencing conflict or humanitarian crises, and TPS holders are employed across a range of U.S. industries, including food and agriculture. The ruling follows the administration’s broader effort to wind down TPS across multiple nationalities — DHS has moved to terminate protections for nationals of Nepal, Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Haiti, and other countries, affecting hundreds of thousands of workers.
WHAT’S NEXT: Attorneys representing TPS holders are analyzing the Court’s findings to decide on next steps. NCC will continue to monitor developments as the administration implements the ruling and as litigation on related TPS designations continues in the lower courts.
Source: The Supreme Court
WHAT HAPPENED: A coalition of 17 states filed suit against California this week seeking to block enforcement of the state’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, passed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2022. The lawsuit argues the law violates both the U.S. and California constitutions, and asks the court to declare it invalid and unenforceable.
WHO IS INVOLVED: Nebraska leads the coalition, joined by Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia. The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors also joined the suit.
WHY IT MATTERS: The law sets the nation’s strictest requirements for plastic packaging, requiring producers to reduce single-use plastics by 10% by 2027 and 25% by 2032, and mandating that plastic packaging be recycled at a rate of 65% by 2032. The plaintiffs argue that California’s rules would effectively force businesses nationwide — including food and agriculture companies — to overhaul their products and packaging operations to comply with a single state’s regulatory regime. Chicken processors and their suppliers rely on plastic packaging throughout the supply chain, from retail tray packs to food service formats, and a ruling upholding California’s law could have significant compliance implications across the industry.
WHAT’S NEXT: The lawsuit names as defendants the director of California’s recycling agency CalRecycle and the Circular Action Alliance, the nonprofit tasked with implementing the law. A separate legal challenge has also been filed by environmental groups who argue the final regulations were too weak. NCC will monitor the litigation and its potential implications for poultry packaging requirements.
While we are 100% behind the U.S. Men’s National Team, we kind of like France’s team uniform.
WHAT HAPPENED: USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) mission area this week announced a reorganization of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), along with the appointment of Kelly Moore as permanent Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). On the AMS side, the agency will restructure its Fair Trade Practices Program by moving commodity-specific functions into the appropriate AMS commodity or service programs. Most notably for the chicken industry, the Packers and Stockyards Division will move to the Livestock and Poultry Program. USDA says the changes will be accompanied by no reduction in force.
WHY IT MATTERS: The Packers and Stockyards Division’s move to the Livestock and Poultry Program is the most significant piece of this reorganization for NCC members. USDA says the realignment is intended to reduce siloing, streamline communication, and give industry stakeholders a single point of contact for AMS-related issues — which could mean more direct and efficient engagement on issues like Packers and Stockyards regulations. Moore’s permanent appointment at APHIS brings stability to an agency that plays a critical role in managing animal disease threats, including HPAI and New World Screwworm.
WHAT’S NEXT: AMS says it will gradually reduce its Washington, D.C.-area footprint, with most future hiring occurring in USDA hub cities or field offices. Both AMS and APHIS have pledged continued stakeholder engagement throughout the transition. NCC will monitor how the Packers and Stockyards Division’s integration into the Livestock and Poultry Program affects day-to-day industry engagement and ongoing regulatory proceedings.
