The U.S. poultry industry has established a new, industry-run organization aimed at strengthening food safety outcomes through collaboration, shared learning, and science-based best practices. The Poultry Industry Food Safety Council (PIFSCo) was formally launched during the 2026 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) and brings together food safety leaders from across the poultry supply chain.
PIFSCo was created to provide a unified forum for addressing complex food safety challenges facing poultry processors and producers, from pathogen control to evolving regulatory expectations. Unlike traditional trade associations, the council is structured as a collaborative body focused specifically on food safety strategy, identifying research needs, and practical application of emerging science.
PIFSCo is governed by an executive board of leaders from major poultry companies and supported by leading industry groups. Its membership spans more than 60 poultry processors and allied partners committed to advancing effective, science-based food safety practices.
“We’re focused on bringing together the broad expertise and practical experience of poultry food safety professionals to identify key research gaps, accelerate knowledge sharing, and strengthen our collective ability to advance food safety across poultry operations,” said Kim Rice, chair of PIFSCo and vice president of food safety and quality at Rose Acre Farms. “PIFSCo gives the poultry industry a unified platform to advance practical solutions that make a real difference on-the-ground in poultry operations.”
Rice’s leadership background spans more than three decades in regulatory affairs, HACCP/preventive controls, and quality assurance across poultry and protein sectors, informing her perspective on food safety strategy and execution.
Membership in PIFSCo spans all poultry segments, including broilers, turkeys, layers, ducks, and breeders, with representation from processors, producers, and allied industry partners. The council operates under an executive board composed of food safety and quality assurance leaders from major poultry companies, ensuring that its work remains grounded in real-world processing and production realities.
By design, PIFSCo emphasizes cross-company and cross-sector collaboration, providing a neutral setting for food safety professionals to exchange insights, discuss emerging risks, and align on best practices without duplicating existing association efforts.
A central mission of the council is to identify critical research gaps and help guide industry-relevant food safety research. PIFSCo also aims to improve communication and interpretation of scientific data, helping processors better understand how research findings translate into operational decision-making.
The launch of PIFSCo comes at a time when poultry processors are navigating heightened scrutiny around food safety performance, regulatory modernization, and consumer expectations. Council leaders say the organization is intended to complement — not replace — existing regulatory and trade association efforts by focusing on proactive, industry-led solutions.
The council also serves as a platform for aligning industry perspectives and improving how food safety data and performance metrics are communicated and understood, both internally and externally.
As PIFSCo continues to grow, organizers expect participation to expand and working groups to address additional priority topics identified by the industry. The council’s leadership emphasizes that its long-term success will be measured by its ability to drive practical improvements in food safety performance across the poultry sector.
For poultry processors, PIFSCo represents a new venue for engagement, collaboration, and influence in shaping the future of food safety through shared knowledge and coordinated action.