Deerpark, NY – Kosher Road Salt Donated by Monroe Co. Tainted with Chicken Waste

Deerpark, NY – The tate DEC is investigating the donation of salt containing the chicken parts by a kosher chicken-processing plant for road use.

The chicken is usually separated from the salt through a screening process before it is donated, Highway Superintendant Ed Hughson said. At least one of the loads of salt that was delivered to the town contained chicken fat, said Hughson, who said he didn’t know about the problem until the DEC contacted him. There were 10 to 12 loads of salt delivered to the town, Hughson said.

Hughson said he was approached by a man from a Monroe company who offered the free kosher salt. The company was acting as a delivery agent for a chicken-processing plant. Hughson said he didn’t know the name of the plant.
“If they were giving it to us, why not take it?” said Hughson, who has worked for the highway department for 20 years. “I would never do anything malicious.”
Hughson said with the proper permits, kosher salt can be used for municipal use because it normally contains no contaminants. Hughson planned to mix the salt with sand to spread on the road.
Supervisor Mark House said the Town Board had never approved the salt donation.

DEC spokeswoman Wendy Rosenbach said an anonymous caller notified the agency about the contaminated salt about. Rosenbach would not release the name of the chicken-processing company because of the ongoing investigation. [Record]