Senators lend support to Poultry Modernization Act

U.S. Senator Kay Hagan led a bipartisan group of thirteen Senators in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack that expresses support for the proposed Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection rule and inquires as to when it will be finalized, reports the Jacksonville Daily News.

The letter, available here, states, “[T]he peer-reviewed risk assessment included in the proposed rule demonstrates that at least 5,000 foodborne illnesses would be prevented if the poultry inspection system were modernized. Additionally, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) projects that almost $80 million in health care costs would be saved on an annual basis by preventing foodborne illnesses.