Proposed new rules for poultry processing plants appear to compromise both food safety and worker safety. The Obama Administration is proposing that it reduce inspections of poultry processing plants by up to 40%, speed up the rate of the production lines by about 25% and in return poultry processing plants agree to take unidentifed steps to reduce food-borne pathogens such as salmonella.
These proposals including the $500,000 annually spent for lobbyists by the National Chicken Council the last three years is discussed in the Washington Post, Poultry Workers, Industry Take Fight to Capitol Hill Over Proposal to Speed Processing Lines.
As they say, money doesn't talk it swears. What kind of deal is this: food safety inspections will be reduced in consideration for food safety steps being taken. How will anybody know whether they were done or not? The poultry processing industry will regulate itself? Profits will go up, food safety will further degrade and worker injuries will increase.
Lexington, Kentucky work injury lawyer Robert Abell represents individuals and employees on claims for Kentucky workers compensation benefits; contact him at 859-254-7076.
