In a significant move to enhance food safety across the United States, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins has launched a comprehensive modernization plan during the opening of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new Midwestern Food Safety Laboratory in Normandy, Missouri. The initiative, led by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), focuses on strengthening the nation’s food safety framework for meat, poultry, and egg products.
The new 70,000-square-foot facility replaces an outdated lab in St. Louis and will serve as a critical hub for analyzing foodborne pathogens and chemical residues. Its launch aligns with the USDA’s expanded strategy to detect and address food safety threats, especially those linked to Listeria and Salmonella.
Key Components of the USDA Food Safety Plan:
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Expanded Listeria Testing and Oversight:
FSIS has significantly ramped up testing for Listeria, conducting over 23,000 tests so far in 2025—more than double the previous year. Enhanced testing methods are designed to provide quicker results and detect a broader spectrum of Listeria species. -
Increased Food Safety Assessments:
FSIS has completed 440 in-person Food Safety Assessments in 2025, a 52% increase over the same period in 2024, with a focus on ready-to-eat meat and poultry establishments. -
Inspector Training and Risk Monitoring:
A new weekly questionnaire now collects data on Listeria risk factors from RTE facilities, generating over 840,000 data points. More than 5,200 FSIS inspectors have received updated training to identify and escalate systemic safety issues. -
Salmonella Reduction Strategy:
In a shift from the previous administration’s regulatory approach, FSIS is crafting a new strategy to address Salmonella in poultry. The previous Salmonella Framework proposal was withdrawn in April due to concerns about its impact on small producers. Listening sessions with stakeholders are planned to shape a more practical path forward. -
State Partnership Strengthening:
USDA is boosting support for state inspection programs with an additional $14.5 million in funding and new cooperative agreements in place across all 29 states operating state programs. In-person reviews have been completed at 77% of Talmadge-Aiken facilities this year. -
Enforcement and Compliance Efforts:
FSIS has taken 103 enforcement actions in 2025 to date—up 36% from 2024—to ensure compliance and food safety. Field supervisors are also conducting follow-up visits when systemic problems are found during assessments.
The USDA’s plan reflects a coordinated effort with agencies like the FDA and CDC and signals a broader push to improve food safety standards, support small producers, and ensure consumer protection through smarter oversight and modern infrastructure.
