Salmonella Food Poisoning Linked to Chicken Continues to Affect People in the U.S.

 Posted on November 18, 2021 in Salmonella

Of the different types of toxic substances that can lead to food poisoning, salmonella is one of the most common. This bacteria is often spread through raw poultry, and unfortunately, agricultural practices in the United States can significantly increase the risks of chicken being contaminated. Government agencies often lack the power and resources to enforce regulations and ensure that food product manufacturers are following the correct safety procedures, and this has caused thousands of people to contract dangerous infections and suffer serious injuries.

Industry Practices Lead to the Spread of Salmonella

In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigated an outbreak of salmonella food poisoning that affected more than 100 people in 32 different states. This particular strain of salmonella was known as multidrug-resistant infantis. It caused people to suffer serious illnesses, and it was not affected by the antibiotics usually used to treat these types of infections. The CDC closed the investigation in 2019, but people continued to be infected, and this strain of salmonella is still present in the food supply in the United States. In fact, the CDC has noted that it is responsible for between 11,000 and 17,000 illnesses every year.

While poultry products in the U.S. are often contaminated by salmonella, government officials have little power to address this issue. Food manufacturers have argued that salmonella occurs naturally in raw meat, and courts have ruled that Congress does not have the authority to enforce regulations against salmonella infections that occur before meat enters a processing facility. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees farms and food processing plants, it does not have the power to enforce standards for the levels of salmonella present in poultry, and it rarely takes action to shut down plants with unsanitary conditions.

Due to lax standards, there are many ways that chicken can be contaminated with salmonella. Overcrowded conditions on chicken farms can lead to the contamination of feed and water. Salmonella may also be present in the “litter” spread on the floors of chicken houses, and in many cases, this litter is only changed once per year. Salmonella can also be spread during the process of washing chicken carcasses and removing feathers and internal organs. While chillers are used to decontaminate carcasses, overloading of these chillers often allows salmonella to survive and spread. Contaminations can also spread when carcasses are cut into breasts, thighs, legs, and wings and when meat is processed into ground chicken.

Contact Our Illinois Salmonella Infection Injury Attorneys

While government regulators may be unable to enforce regulations regarding salmonella, consumers who contract food poisoning may have some recourse against those who were responsible. At Newland & Newland, LLP, we help victims of salmonella food poisoning take legal action against companies that failed to follow the correct safety procedures, and we work to ensure that victims can recover compensation for the harm suffered due to an infection. Contact our Illinois salmonella food poisoning lawyers at 312-981-0409 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.propublica.org/article/salmonella-chicken-usda-food-safety 

https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/infantis-10-18/index.html