The National Chicken Council (NCC) has raised objections to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed strategy aimed at reducing food waste and enhancing organic recycling, saying that despite being well-intended it may have potential unintended consequences.
In their submitted comments, the NCC highlighted the chicken industry’s efforts to mitigate waste. However, it warned of certain aspects of the EPA’s proposals, citing a lack of scientific evidence supporting the USDA’s framework to decrease salmonella in raw poultry products.
The NCC warned that such measures could result in substantial production waste and shipment delays, impacting the efficiency of operations.
Emphasizing the magnitude of potential waste, the NCC says that even a minor percentage of discarded chicken could translate into loss of hundreds of millions of pounds annually, necessitating careful evaluation of regulatory initiatives.
Moreover, the NCC contested a 2009 FDA rule imposing stricter storage temperature requirements for surplus hatching eggs. They argued that this regulation compels producers to discard usable and safe eggs unnecessarily, affecting both supply and consumer prices.
Despite these challenges, the NCC mentioned various industry-led initiatives aimed at reducing food waste, including the utilization of byproducts in chicken feed and rendering meat and poultry byproducts for livestock and pet food. These efforts demonstrate the industry’s dedication to sustainability and waste reduction, it adds.
The NCC urges collaborative efforts between industry stakeholders and regulatory agencies to devise innovative solutions that effectively curb waste without compromising food safety or escalating production costs.
By promoting cooperation, the NCC believes that substantial progress can be made in achieving waste reduction objectives while ensuring the accessibility and affordability of food for consumers. -PR
