DeLauro Statement on Foster Farms Plants Being Allowed To Stay Open

Company Has Been Linked To Multiple SalmonellaOutbreaks

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) releasedthe following comment today on the Agriculture Department's decision allowingFoster Farms chicken plants to remain open. DeLauro is a former chairwoman ofthe subcommittee responsible for funding the Department.

"It is outrageous that, having already not recalled anyFoster Farms products, the Food Safety and Inspection Service is allowing thecompany to keep its plants open just days after detailing facility conditionsthat are clearly a threat to the public health. Over 400 people have beensickened by Foster Farms raw chicken products, many of them hospitalized, andyet no recalls have been issued and the facilities continue to operate. FSIS should come forward with the evidence to support their decision immediately.In light of this negligence by FSIS and Foster Farms, I applaud stores that arepulling Foster Farms products off their shelves and urge consumers to avoidthese products."

Foster Farms has been tied to a salmonella Heidelbergoutbreak that has sickened nearly 300 people nationwide this year. Nearly halfof the people who have become sick have been hospitalized. It was previouslytied to a 2012 outbreak that sickened 134 people.

For information on protecting yourself from salmonella Heidelbergplease visit https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/heidelberg-10-13/advice-consumers.html.