WASHINGTON — The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is extending modified poultry line speed waivers through Jan. 15, 2025.

In July 2022, FSIS began conducting a study with assistance from a team of third-party worker safety experts to measure the impact of increased line speeds on worker safety. Since then, the team has been collecting data in New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS) establishments participating in modified speed waivers.

The waivers were set to expire on Nov. 15, 2024, but FSIS said the study was not yet completed. With the extension, the agency intends to conclude the study.

The waivers allow for line speeds of up to 175 birds per minute at the 44 processing plants currently participating in the study. Participants include Tyson Foods Inc., Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., Wayne-Sanderson Farms, Peco Foods, House of Raeford Farms, George’s and several other poultry processors.