Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- escalate /ES-kuh-leyt/
- contradict /kon-truh-DIKT/
- stuffed /stuhft/
- implicate /IM-pli-keyt/
- regressive /ri-GRES-iv/
[verb] – to increase rapidly
New taxes might escalate transportation costs in rural areas.
[verb] – to say or do something that is the opposite of something else
The company’s decision contradicts its earlier promise to reduce emissions.
[adjective] – filled with something inside
The bakery sells stuffed pastries with various fillings like cream and fruit.
[verb] – to show that something is involved in causing a problem or harmful event
Multiple medications have been implicated in causing serious side effects.
[adjective] – becoming less advanced; returning to a former or worse state
The budget cuts are considered a regressive measure by public health experts.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
On April 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officially withdrew a proposed rule that would have required poultry producers to reduce levels of salmonella bacteria in their products. The rule, first introduced in August following three years of development, aimed to address an estimated 125,000 annual infections from chicken and 43,000 from turkey. Each year, salmonella leads to around 1.35 million cases of illness and results in about 420 fatalities across the United States, based on data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rule planned to limit the presence of six specific strains of salmonella—three linked to chicken and three to turkey—and prevent the sale of contaminated products. The Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA stated that it received more than 7,000 public comments and decided to reevaluate the existing standards instead of implementing the proposed rule.
The decision has led to polarizing reactions. The National Chicken Council welcomed the move, stating that the rule lacked scientific validity, would escalate production costs, and generate unnecessary food waste without offering substantial benefits to public health. On the other hand, food safety experts and former USDA officials expressed concern. They claimed that the withdrawal undermines recent progress in protecting consumers and contradicts previous food safety milestones, such as the 1994 ban on harmful E. coli strains in ground beef. Meanwhile, the USDA also announced a six-month delay in enforcing a separate salmonella rule for breaded, stuffed chicken products, including frozen chicken Kiev, which have been implicated in multiple outbreaks. Critics argue the reversal prioritizes industry convenience over consumer protection, calling it a regressive step in national food safety policy.
The decision has led to polarizing reactions. The National Chicken Council welcomed the move, stating that the rule lacked scientific validity, would escalate production costs, and generate unnecessary food waste without offering substantial benefits to public health. On the other hand, food safety experts and former USDA officials expressed concern. They claimed that the withdrawal undermines recent progress in protecting consumers and contradicts previous food safety milestones, such as the 1994 ban on harmful E. coli strains in ground beef. Meanwhile, the USDA also announced a six-month delay in enforcing a separate salmonella rule for breaded, stuffed chicken products, including frozen chicken Kiev, which have been implicated in multiple outbreaks. Critics argue the reversal prioritizes industry convenience over consumer protection, calling it a regressive step in national food safety policy.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever gotten sick after eating chicken or another type of meat? If so, what happened, and how did you feel? If not, what do you do to make sure your food is safe to eat?
- Have you ever checked food labels or packaging for safety information before buying something? If yes, what kinds of things did you look for? If not, why not?
- Do you agree that food safety rules should be more strict, even if they increase costs?
- What is more important in your opinion: keeping food prices low or making food as safe as possible? Why?
- How can food companies and the government work together to improve food safety without wasting too much food or money?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- poultry
- bacteria
- infection
- product
- safety policy