FSIS has updated its voluntary guideline for federally regulated swine slaughter and pork processing establishments to control Salmonella in market hogs from pre-harvest through slaughter. FSIS updated the document in response to comments on the previous guideline. Updates include the addition of current, peer-reviewed scientific references related to pre-harvest controls, swine slaughter, processing of pork cuts, and comminuted pork products. FSIS also updated the guideline to include information on pre-harvest controls, including farm rearing, multi-hurdle interventions, transport, and lairage. The guideline also includes best practice recommendations for pork fabrication controls, including processing and packaging controls for pork cuts and comminuted pork products.

Translations Posted for Nine Guidance Documents

FSIS has posted translations of nine industry guidance documents. The documents were translated into one or more of the following languages, depending on the target audience for each specific guidance document: Arabic, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Spanish. These guidelines are not new but have been translated as one of FSIS’ initiatives to reduce barriers to access for small and very small establishment owners and operators and to advance equity for those in marginalized and underrepresented communities. The translated guidelines can be found at the following links:

• Ready-to-Eat Fermented, Salt-Cured, and Dried Products Guideline
• Establishment Guidance for the Selection of a Commercial or Private Microbiological Testing Laboratory
• Controlling Listeria monocytogenes in Post-lethality Exposed Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Products
• Compliance Guide for a Systematic Approach to the Humane Handling of Livestock
• FSIS Compliance Guideline: Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection - Microbiological Sampling of Raw Poultry
• Mobile Slaughter Unit Compliance Guide
• Compliance Guideline for Training Establishment Carcass Sorters in the New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS)
• Compliance Guideline for Validating Cooking Instructions for Mechanically Tenderized Beef Products
• FSIS Compliance Guideline for Meat and Poultry Jerky Produced by Small and Very Small Establishments

FSIS previously posted translations of a number of other guidelines including the FSIS Cooking Guideline for Meat and Poultry Products (Revised Appendix A) and the FSIS Stabilization Guideline for Meat and Poultry Products (Revised Appendix B). Additional guidelines can be found on the FSIS Guidelines page. Questions regarding guidelines, including requests for additional translations, should be referred to the Office of Policy and Program Development through askFSIS selecting HACCP Deviation & HACCP Validation as the Inquiry Type or by telephone at 1-800-233-3935.

Upcoming Events

• June 21-22, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. ET: 2023 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 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

Policy Update

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 22-23 - Availability of FSIS Guideline for Controlling Salmonella in Swine Slaughter and Pork Processing Establishments

Export Requirements Update

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

• Germany
• Canada
• Azerbaijan
• Japan
• Singapore
• Mexico
• Brazil

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

Original source can be found here.