In response to a stakeholder request received in May 2023, FSIS is making the underlying data from the consumer survey related to its voluntary “Product of USA” proposed rule available on Regulations.gov.
Announced on March 6, 2023, FSIS’ proposed rule outlines new regulatory requirements to better align the voluntary “Product of USA” claim with consumers’ understanding of what the claim means. FSIS also released the survey report with the announcement.
The comment period for the proposed rule opened on March 13, 2023, and expires on June 11, 2023. Public comments can be submitted at Regulations.gov.
FSIS Raw Beef Laboratory Sampling Establishment-Specific Dataset Updates
As announced in the November 18, 2022 Constituent Update, FSIS expanded its routine verification testing for six Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) that are adulterants (non-O157 STEC; O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, or O145) on February 1, 2023, in addition to the adulterant E. coli O157:H7 in samples of raw ground beef, bench trim, and other raw ground beef components collected at official establishments. FSIS also began testing for these non-O157 STEC in ground beef samples collected at retail stores and in applicable samples of imported raw beef products. Previously, the only raw beef products routinely tested for all seven targeted STEC serotypes was beef manufacturing trimmings, while all other raw beef products were only tested for E. coli O157:H7. Also, on February 1, 2023, FSIS stopped using the N60 excision sampling method to sample domestic beef manufacturing trimmings and bench trim for adulterant Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Salmonella and replaced it with a non-destructive surface sampling method that uses a cloth to conduct sampling. For more information, please see FSIS Notice 06-23, FSIS Notice 05-23 and FSIS Directive 10010.1.
To reflect these changes, FSIS will combine the Raw Beef Components Sampling, Raw Ground Beef Sampling, Raw Beef Trim Sampling, and Raw Beef Follow-up Sampling datasets into a single Raw Beef Laboratory Sampling Establishment-Specific Dataset. This dataset replaces the EColiO157 and NonO157 columns with the STEC serogroup columns that are displayed as [Serogroup][ColumnName], with the [Serogroup] being one of the seven STECs (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145, O157) and column name being one of the six columns:
- [Serogroup]Result
- [Serogroup]PFGEPrimaryPattern
- [Serogroup]PFGESecondaryPattern
- [Serogroup]AlleleCode
- [Serogroup]FSISNumber
- [Serogroup]AMRProfile
- MT44T_C – Follow-up coli Sampling of Raw Ground Beef, Trimmings or Components
- MT52_C – Follow-up Sampling of Suppliers of Raw Ground Beef Trim or Components
- MT53_C – Follow-up Sampling of Beef Mfg Trim or Other Raw Ground Beef or Beef Patty Components
- MT60_C – Sampling of beef manufacturing trimmings
- MT65_C – Sampling of bench trim for further use in any raw, non-intact beef products
FSIS will also release this dataset in an open, non-proprietary csv format instead of xslx, consistent with requirements set by the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018. This means there will no longer be a Data Notes tab in the dataset, however information on the use and limitations of the data is still available on the Laboratory Sampling Data website page and in the associated data documentation.
Establishments can access the data through the “Industry Sampling Results for Primary Establishment Number Detailed” report within the Public Health Information System (PHIS).
The new dataset will be released on July 7, 2023. To remain consistent with the other establishment-specific datasets, the dataset will be posted with an archive and current file. Both the archive and current files are planned to publish on July 7, 2023. Subsequent postings will follow the regular posting schedule for establishment-specific datasets. New datasets are released the first Friday of the next quarter with a quarter lag, meaning data for FY2023 Q2 (i.e., January, February, March 2023) are planned to be released on July 7, 2023, data for FY2023 Q3 (i.e., April, May, June 2023) are planned to be released October 6, 2023 and so forth. Existing datasets will be updated quarterly.
FSIS to Post Individual Category Status and Aggregate Results for Poultry Carcasses, Chicken Parts, and Comminuted Poultry Tested for Salmonella
On May 22, 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.
Upcoming Events
- May 22, 2:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m. ET: Webinar on Ready-to-Eat Fermented, Salt-Cured, and Dried Products Guideline (encore 2)
- June 21-22, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. ET: 2023 NACMPI Public Meeting
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 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
- Until June 23: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection
- Until July 5: Availability of FSIS Ready-To-Eat Fermented, Salt-Cured, and Dried Products Guideline
- Until July 11: Notice of Request for a New Information Collection: Consumer Labeling Research: Focus Groups
- Until July 27: Salmonella in Not-Ready-To-Eat Breaded Stuffed Chicken Products
FSIS notices and directives on public health and regulatory issues are available on the FSIS Policy webpage. The following policy update was recently issued:
FSIS Notice 21-23 - Cancellation of FSIS Directives
FSIS Directive 1301.1 - Enterprise Architecture
FSIS Directive 3410.3 - Reimbursement Procedures for Inspection Expenditures - Revision 7
Export Requirements Update
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated for products for the following:
- Jamaica
- Myanmar
- Jordan
- Vietnam
- Benin
- Azerbaijan
- Canada
- Taiwan
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
- French Polynesia (Tahiti)
Original source can be found here.