Statement in Response to KGW Inquiry

February 4, 2015
Foster Farms is committed to the highest levels of food safety and regrets any illness that may have
previously been associated with any of its products.
Today, Foster Farms leads the U.S. poultry industry in controlling Salmonella, consistently achieving an
incidence rate of less than 5 percent in raw poultry parts compared to the 2011/2012 USDA-measured
industry average of 25 percent. The company intends to remain committed to an incidence rate of less
than 5 percent even if the anticipated new government parts standard is above that number.
In 2013, Foster Farms developed a $75 million food safety program that effectively reduced Salmonella
system-wide from the breeder level, to the farms where the birds are raised, to the plants where the
chicken is processed and packaged. This included improvements to equipment and processes, the
implementation of a continuous testing program, food safety education and the appointment of a Food
Safety Advisory Board comprised of leading national experts.
Foster Farms multi-hurdle program has been credited by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its success in consistently and continuously
controlling Salmonella in raw chicken. The company has also been recognized for its leadership in
controlling Salmonella by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, a champion of improved food safety. Based on
the programs success, Foster Farms is actively sharing data and insights with other poultry and meat
producers to improve food safety nationwide.
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Media Contact: Michael Fineman

mfineman@finemanpr.com
415-392-1000, x21
415-309-3811 (cell)