The agency said the Biden-era proposal would have been a burden on businesses. Food-safety experts criticized the decision as an unwillingness to protect the public.

The Agriculture Department will not require poultry companies to limit salmonella bacteria in their products, halting a Biden Administration effort to prevent food poisoning from contaminated meat. The department on Thursday said it was withdrawing a rule proposed in August after three years of development.

The USDA revoked a proposed rule to declare salmonella in chicken an adulterant. Consumer Reports experts explain how you can still stay safe.