On May 16, 2023, the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will be holding a hybrid (in-person in Washington, D.C. and virtual) public meeting to provide an update on the Cyclospora cayetanensis in produce and Cronobacter spp. in powdered infant formula charges. Concurrent subcommittee meetings will be held on May 16-18, 2023.

A Federal Register notice will publish in the next few weeks that provides more details and instructions on how to pre-register. When available, FSIS will share these details on the FSIS Events & Meetings page and in a future Constituent Update.

NACMCF has made important contributions to a broad range of critical food safety issues. Committee reports provide current information and scientific advice to federal food safety agencies and serve as a foundation for regulations and programs aimed at reducing foodborne disease and enhancing public health. Federal food safety agencies involved with NACMCF include FSIS, FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Department of Defense Veterinary Services.

Save the Date: NACMPI Public Meeting

On June 21 and 22, 2023, the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) will host its next virtual public meeting. A Federal Register notice will publish in the next few weeks that provides details on how to pre-register for the meeting and the topics the committee will consider. When available, FSIS will share these details on the FSIS Events & Meetings page and in a future Constituent Update.

NACMPI provides advice to the Secretary of Agriculture concerning state and federal programs with respect to meat and poultry inspection and other matters that fall within the scope of the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act. Committee reports inform FSIS inspection procedures and policies to help solve new and evolving food safety hazards and food borne illness trends.

Reminder: Deadline Extended to Submit Nominations for Membership on Food Safety Advisory Committee

As announced in the March 24, 2023, Constituent Update, FSIS extended the deadline to submit nominations for membership to the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF). The deadline to submit nomination packages was originally March 15, 2023. FSIS extended the deadline to April 17, 2023.

There are 15 vacancies on the advisory committee. USDA is seeking nominees with scientific expertise in the fields of microbiology, risk assessment, epidemiology, public health, food science, and other relevant disciplines. More information and instructions on how to submit nominations are detailed in the Federal Register notice.

FSIS to Post Individual Category Status and Aggregate Results for Poultry Carcasses, Chicken Parts, and Comminuted Poultry Tested for Salmonella

On April 20, 2023, FSIS will update the individual establishment Salmonella performance standard category information for raw poultry carcasses, raw chicken parts, and comminuted poultry products on the Salmonella Verification Testing Program Monthly Posting page on the FSIS website. Additionally, FSIS will post the aggregate sampling results showing the number of establishments in categories 1, 2, or 3 for establishments producing young poultry carcasses, raw chicken parts, or not ready-to-eat (NRTE) comminuted poultry products at the location linked above.

FSIS to Post Updated Datasets on Import Refusals and Import Volume

On April 17, 2023, FSIS will update the publicly posted dataset on import refusals for products that the agency regulates. Federal law requires every commercial shipment of imported meat, poultry, and egg products to be reinspected prior to product entering U.S. commerce. FSIS reinspects each shipment to verify labeling, proper certification, general condition, and any signs of tampering and to identify product adulterated by transportation damage. FSIS also performs additional activities on a random and/or for-cause basis, such as physical product examination and laboratory sampling for pathogens and chemical residues.

Any product that does not meet FSIS requirements is refused entry, and the importer has up to 45 days (30 days for egg products) to have the product destroyed for use as human food, re-exported/returned to the foreign country, converted to animal food, or brought into compliance with FSIS requirements, if applicable (e.g., relabeled, remarked, or issued a replacement certificate). 

The current import refusals dataset is updated around the 15th of each month and the archived import refusals dataset is updated around the 15th of the first month of each quarter. The datasets contain each shipment with product that was refused entry.

Both the current and archived import volume datasets are updated around the 15th of the first month of each quarter. The datasets represent the volume of imported meat, poultry, and egg products presented for reinspection to FSIS at port of entry.

To access these datasets or view more information about them, please visit the Import and Export Data page.

Upcoming Events

• May 16: NACMCF Public Meeting
• June 21-22: NACMPI Public Meeting

Available for Public Comment

FSIS seeks public comments on proposed rules and notices, which are viewable on the FSIS Federal Register & Rulemaking webpage. FSIS is currently seeking comments on the following:

• Until May 1: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Advanced Meat Recovery
• Until May 1: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Voluntary Destruction of Imported Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products
• Until May 1: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Nutrition Labeling of Major Cuts of Single-Ingredient Raw Meat or Poultry Products and Ground or Chopped Meat and Poultry Products
• Until May 1: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Sanitation SOPs and Pathogen Reduction/HACCP
• Until May 8: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Procedures for the Notification of New Technology and Requests for Waivers
• Until June 11: Voluntary Labeling of FSIS-Regulated Products with U.S.-Origin Claims
• Until June 12: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Laboratory Assessment Requests
• Until June 13: Notice of Request To Revise an Approved Information Collection: State Meat and Poultry Inspection Programs
• Until June 13: Notice of Request for Revision of an Approved Information Collection: Public Health Information System

Export Requirements Update

The Library of Export Requirements has been updated for products for the following:

• United Kingdom
• Japan
• North Macedonia
• Ecuador
• Qatar
• Singapore
• Korea
• India
• Canada
• European Union
• Honduras
• Barbados
• French Polynesia (Tahiti)
• Jordan
• United Arab Emirates

Complete information can be found at the FSIS Import & Export Library.

Original source can be found here