Report alleges problems with model chicken inspections
A report compiled by the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) suggests that as many as 40 percent of chickens heading to supermarket from plants participating in an experimental "model'' inspection program were contaminated with sores, scabs and other defects.
RTI's conclusions are based on its examination of 14,000 chickens from seven processing plants participating in a new "science based" inspection program undertaken by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The program allows federal meat inspectors to oversee broader food safety issues at chicken processing plants, and permits line workers to perform some tasks previously undertaken by inspectors. RTI was hired by FSIS to monitor the performance of participating plants.