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AR 100

Urges United States Department of Agriculture to declare Salmonella strain that causes human illness an adulterant.

2024-2025 Regular Session

NJ AR100 urges the USDA to declare any Salmonella strain that causes illness an adulterant, aiming for tougher recalls and safer meat, poultry, and egg products.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee
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Bill Summary · AR 100

AR 100 – Summary

Title

Urges United States Department of Agriculture to declare Salmonella strain that causes human illness an adulterant.

Bill Basics

  • Bill Number: AR 100
  • Type: State Assembly Resolution (non-binding)
  • Subject: Health
  • Introduced: February 5, 2024
  • Status: Introduced in the Assembly; referred to the Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee

Purpose and Intent

AR 100 is a resolution by the New Jersey General Assembly urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to declare any Salmonella strain that causes human illness an adulterant. The resolution argues for a consistent, comprehensive food-safety approach across pathogens and aims to empower stricter regulatory actions to prevent contaminated products from reaching consumers, thereby reducing infections and protecting public health.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1: The General Assembly respectfully urges the USDA to declare any strain of Salmonella that causes human illness an adulterant.
  • Section 2: Requires copies of the resolution to be transmitted to the USDA Secretary, the majority and minority leaders of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker and minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, and every New Jersey member of Congress.

Background and Rationale

  • Salmonella is a leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States, typically spreading through fecal contamination of food and water.
  • Raw foods of animal origin pose illness risk if not prepared to safe internal temperatures.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates in broad terms that Salmonella causes millions of infections annually, with tens of thousands of hospitalizations and hundreds of deaths.
  • The USDA already designates certain pathogens as adulterants in specific products (e.g., certain E. coli strains in raw ground beef; Salmonella in breaded and stuffed raw chicken products). AR 100 calls for expanding such adulterant status to any Salmonella strain that causes illness, aiming for a uniform safety standard across pathogens.

Potential Impact

  • Regulatory Impact: As a resolution, AR 100 does not change New Jersey law by itself but seeks federal action. If the USDA designates any illness-causing Salmonella strain as an adulterant, this could lead to stricter federal recalls, enforcement, and product safety standards for meat, poultry, and egg products.
  • Public Health: Could reduce contaminated product distribution and associated illnesses if acted upon by the USDA.
  • Stakeholders: Food industry participants, public health advocates, consumer safety groups, and policymakers at both state and federal levels.

Procedural Notes

  • Currently in the Assembly, awaiting committee consideration by the Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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