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FSIS Participates In CBP Webinar
FSIS will participate in a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) webinar on
upcoming pilots of the PGA Message Set on Wednesday, March 20 from 2 pm to 4 pm ET. For more information on
how to participate in the webinar, go to
http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/csms.asp?srch_argv=13-000133&srchtype=all&opt=1 and click on CSMS#13-000133.
The PGA Message Set is the harmonized set of data that will be collected electronically from the trade
community by CBP, through ACE, on behalf of the participating government agencies or PGAs. The initiation of
the upcoming pilots is a significant step toward delivery of the Single Window.
The Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) will discuss the specifics of their pilot using the PGA Message Set
for products covered by the Import Inspection Application, FSIS Form 9540-1. The draft Data Samples and
Guidelines for Using the PGA Message Set for Electronic Completion of the Import Inspection Application
(FSIS Form 9540-1) can be accessed on the FSIS website at
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/
Data_Samples_Guidelines_PGA_Message_Set.pdf.
Learn About Paperless Label Submissions
FSIS is offering a webinar on the Labeling Submission and Approval System (LSAS)—a Web-based application
for accepting label submissions that launched last May.
The discussion will focus on the steps establishments can take to register and submit label applications.
LSAS allows industry to electronically submit the required information to obtain label approval. It also
makes it possible to flag application submission errors that could delay the approval process and allows
users to track the progress of their submission.
This session is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on March 20. To access the webinar, go to
https://connect16.uc.att.com/usda/meet/?ExEventID=85277207
and follow the on-screen instructions.
Materials from a previous session are available on the FSIS website at
www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/
LSAS_Industry_Webinar_012313.pdf.
For questions, contact Kristin Goodwin at (301) 504-0878 or
kristin.goodwin@fsis.usda.gov.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following areas:
- European Union
- Hong Kong
- Japan
Complete information can be found at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
Public Comment Period Extended for E. coli (STEC) Survey
The original deadline to submit comments on the draft STEC Survey questions was March 10. FSIS announced
through a Constituent Update Special Alert earlier this week that it
has extended the opportunity for comment in response to a request from three industry groups. The new deadline to
receive comments is March 25. The industry associations stated that the additional time was needed to provide
meaningful feedback on the survey questions.
FSIS is particularly interested in receiving feedback concerning the clarity of the questions. Go to the
Federal eRulemaking Portal online at
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FSIS-2013-0010
to view the survey and provide comment.
FSIS Begins Industry Implementation of PHIS
Last month, FSIS began rolling out the industry functionality of the Public Health Information System (PHIS)
to FSIS-inspected domestic establishments and official import inspection establishments. A full implementation
schedule for each district is listed below.
This part of the system gives industry the ability to respond and view noncompliance records and file appeals.*
It also gives industry the ability to view, export to a PDF, and print reports of sampling results,
noncompliance records (NR), and the establishment profile.
Participation in PHIS is voluntary. Implementation for industry will be conducted in phases through a web
registration process. Establishments will receive a letter with the implementation schedule, as well as
instructions on the web registration process. This information is also available at
www.fsis.usda.gov/PHIS/index.asp.
Start dates are designated for establishments associated with each FSIS district and regional import field
office. Establishments will not be able to access the system before the scheduled start dates.
PHIS users with questions or issues may contact the FSIS Service Desk at 1-800-473-9135. As a reminder, if an
establishment elects to use PHIS, a Level 2 USDA eAuthentication (eAuth) account must be obtained to enroll
and access the system. Steps for obtaining an eAuth account have been published in the FSIS Constituent
Update and are available on the FSIS website.
- February 25, 2013 – Alameda
- March 4, 2013 – Atlanta
- March 11, 2013 – Chicago and Dallas
- March 18, 2013 – Denver, Des Moines and all official import inspection establishments
- March 25, 2013 – Jackson and Philadelphia
- April 1, 2013 – Raleigh and Springdale
*NOTE: The appeals functionality is not available for industry use at this time, but will be in the near future.
Food Safety at Your Fingertips
Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available
24 hours a day at www.AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at
m.askkaren.gov. "Ask Karen" live chat services are available
Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET.
The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), is also available to consumers
in English and Spanish and can be reached Monday through Friday from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET.
FSIS Launches Small Plant News Survey
FSIS is conducting a survey through its Small Plant News, the newsletter written especially for small and
very small federally inspected establishment owners and operators who produce meat, poultry and processed
egg products.
The survey takes only a few minutes and will assist the agency in improving the quality of Small Plant News
to better serve the needs of its stakeholders.
Individuals have until March 31 to complete the survey. To fill out the survey form, go to the Volume 6, No. 4
issue of Small Plant News at www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
Small_Plant_News/index.asp.
Click on the survey button on the first page of the newsletter.
Codex Public Meeting on Food Labeling
FSIS and the FDA are hosting a public meeting to receive comments and draft U.S. positions that are scheduled
to be discussed at the 41st session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL) in Charlottetown, Canada.
The public meeting is scheduled for April 17, from 1-3 p.m., at USDA's Jamie L. Whitten Bldg., Rm. 107-A, 1400
Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250.
Agenda items include: implementation of the World Health Organization Global Strategy on Diet, Physical
Activity and Health; proposed draft revision of the guidelines on nutrition and health claims concerning
non-addition of sodium salts; and guidelines for the production, processing, labeling and marketing of
organically produced foods.
Documents and agenda items related to the 41st session of the CCFL will be available at
www.codexalimentarius.org/meetings-reports/en.
For more information about the public meeting, contact Doreen Chen-Moulec at (202) 205-7760 or uscodex@fsis.usda.gov.
Get Answers at askFSIS
AskFSIS is a Web-based technology and policy question-and-answer forum on topics such as exporting,
labeling, inspection, programs and procedures.
In addition, askFSIS offers Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds that link back to the Q&As.
Visit http://askfsis.custhelp.com/ to view recently posted topics.
The following topic was recently updated:
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Last Modified:
March 18, 2013 |
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