The facility received a notice of suspension December 17 from our agency because of multiple violations in their food safety systems, which led the agency to be concerned about adulterated product possibly reaching consumers.

The procedure is typically completed while the small intestine and large intestine are still attached [to the carcass], so there's no chance that personnel would measure and cut from the wrong end.

It's the establishment's responsibility to maintain their facility. It's our regulatory responsibility to make sure those measures are being upheld.

I think it is paramount that we take proper steps to ensure the safety of our food supply and domestic livestock herd.

We are considering what we should do additionally to ensure food safety.

You never hear anything about food safety in this country unless it's attached to an outbreak of a food-borne illness. The bottom line is that ultimately, the employees at the store level are the last firewall before we reach the customer. It's a public service to educate everyone that chicken is safe to eat as long as you cook it to the proper temperature.