LIVINGSTON, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has reviewed the safety plan for Foster Farms’ salmonella-linked processing plants and will allow the plants to remain open, the processor said in a press release.
FSIS continues to monitor food safety at Foster Farms, according to the press release.
Raw chicken from Foster Farms has been implicated in a salmonella outbreak that has spread to 17 states and led to 278 illnesses.
No recall has been issued for the tainted meat.
“The CDPH [California Department of Public Health] has not requested Foster Farms to recall chickens because, with proper handling and preparation, this product is safe for consumption,” Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the CDPH and state health officer, said in a statement.
Consumer Reports issued a press release condemning the USDA’s decision.
“It is shameful that the government would not take action despite so many consumers getting sick and becoming hospitalized in this ongoing outbreak," Dr. Urvashi Rangan, toxicologist and executive director of Consumer Reports’ Food Safety and Sustainability Center, said in a statement.
"We believe there is enough information to take action to protect public health now.”
Read more: Consumer Groups Issue Warnings on Tainted Chicken
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