CHICAGO – A recent poll by the non-profit group Stop Foodborne Illness (STOP) showed consumer support for bolstering food safety regulations that deal with poultry. 

The poll asked if the US Department of Agriculture should impose stricter regulations on poultry production to reduce Salmonella and other illnesses. According to STOP, 86% of respondents favor those standards. In a separate question, 86% of people supported prohibiting the sale of products failing to meet safety standards. 

Results from the polling come after an October effort by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the USDA to reduce Salmonella illnesses associated with poultry products. 

“Consumers want to trust that the food they eat is safe,” said Mitzi Baum chief executive officer of STOP. “We applaud USDA Secretary Vilsack for initiating this reform process. Leadership now needs to be courageous, focusing on real action that significantly reduces Salmonella illnesses and deaths.”

Other results from the poll showed that 87% of voters know about Salmonella poisoning and illnesses related to contaminated poultry. STOP asked 1,000 registered voters during their polling.