The poultry industry – a major contributor to Hall County’s economy as well as Georgia’s – is taking issue with a report released this week that attacks the industry’s history of dealing with salmonella contamination in its products.
“Consumers should not be concerned,” Tom Super, a spokesman for the National Chicken Council, said of the Farm Forward investigation. Super added the report was “unscientific” and described Farm Forward as an “activist organization whose stated goal is to end commercial chicken farming.”
Both Super and Bill Mattos, president of the California Poultry Federation, said poultry is safe when cooked to 160 degrees, and knives, cutting boards and other items that may have come into contact with raw meat are disinfected and cleaned.
“All chicken is safe to eat when properly handled and cooked,” said Mattos.
By analyzing USDA salmonella regulations and inspection records, federal purchasing data for nutrition assistance programs, and humane handling reports, Farm Forward says its findings reveal how regulatory failures, industry practices, and government procurement policies together undermine food safety.
You can read the full report here: Farm-Forward-Salmonella-and-Foodborne-Disease-October-2025.pdf