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FSIS Issues Directive on Donning and Doffing Time Measurement
On Sept. 27, Docket No. FSIS-2011-0032, FSIS made additional changes to 9 CFR 307.4(c) and 381.37(c) to define the 8-hour
workday as including time that inspection program personnel need to prepare the inspection station, if necessary, or retrieve
and return lot tally sheets; the time necessary for FSIS inspection program personnel to sharpen knives, if necessary; and the
time necessary to conduct duties scheduled by FSIS, including administrative activities. The activities are integral and
indispensable to inspectors' work and are part of the continuous workday as defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act. Therefore,
they are activities that need to be part of the agency's regulatory definition for the 8-hour workday.
In addition, FSIS issued Directive 5090.1
today, providing Supervisory Public Health Veterinarians (SPHVs), Supervisory Consumer Safety Inspectors (SCSIs) and Frontline
Supervisors (FLSs) instructions on how to measure the time it takes them to retrieve and don required gear, walk to an on-line
station, set up the inspection station (if applicable), retrieve and return lot tally sheets (if applicable), walk back from the
on-line station, and clean and doff required gear. These personnel will measure these times primarily for on-line personnel.
Current time measurements at meat slaughter establishments may not have to be re-done as a result of this directive. The
instructions apply for when an establishment makes changes that would change the donning, doffing and walk time, to establishments
receiving their first grant of inspection, and, as a result of the new regulation discussed in Section II B, to poultry slaughter
establishments so that time to pick up required forms and drop off required forms is included in the time measurement.
As detailed in the directive, any time the SPHV, SCSI or FLS plans to conduct a time measurement, they are to inform the
establishment management at a weekly meeting. Establishment personnel and union representatives may observe the time measurement.
In addition, the directive states that knife sharpening and administrative duties are now part of the 8 hour workday. The directive
provides instructions on the amount of time for the inspector to perform knife sharpening duties (when necessary) and if the
establishment does not offer a knife-sharpening service. The directive also provides instructions regarding the performance of
administrative duties (such as time and attendance preparation).
Implementation of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) Sampling Program Changes
After reviewing current ready-to-eat (RTE) product policies and procedures, FSIS has decided to delay the implementation of
the Routine Risk-based Listeria monocytogenes (RLm) Sampling Program and its Intensified Verification Testing (IVT)
protocol changes until Jan. 2, 2013.
FSIS announced in the Federal Register (Docket No. FSIS-2012-0032)
that the agency will increase the number of product samples it collects from three to five samples per sampling unit for the RLm
and IVT sampling programs. In addition, agency laboratories will composite the five 25-g product samples from each RLm sampling
unit, which will increase the sample size of the analyzed test portion from 25 g to 125 g.
The delay in implementing the sampling program changes is necessary in order to issue updated instructions to the field, and to
update sample scheduling in PHIS. Delaying the implementation of the program until Jan. 2, 2013, also allows FSIS to better analyze
the impact of the sampling program changes on an annual basis, and allows industry more time to make changes in establishment
sampling programs in response to the agency's changes.
For questions on the RLm and IVT sampling program changes or the implementation date, submit questions through askFSIS at
http://askfsis.custhelp.com/.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following
countries:
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Japan
Complete information can be found at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
Proposed Rule: Eligibility of the Republic of Korea
On Nov. 27, 2012, FSIS published a proposed rule to add the Republic of Korea to the list of countries eligible to export poultry
products to the United States. FSIS' reviews of Korea's laws, regulations and inspection implementation show that its poultry
inspection system requirements are equivalent to those of the Poultry Products Inspection Act and its implementing regulations.
Under this proposal, slaughtered poultry or parts or other products thereof processed in certified Korean establishments would be
eligible for export to the United States. All such products would be subject to re-inspection at United States ports-of-entry by
FSIS inspectors. The proposed rule is available on the FSIS website at
www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/2012-0019.pdf.
Comments on this proposed rule must be received on or before Jan. 28, 2013, and may be made through the Federal eRulemaking
Portal at www.regulations.gov. They may also be submitted by mail to the Docket Clerk,
USDA, FSIS, Patriots Plaza III, 1400 Independence Ave. S.W., Rm 8-163A, Mailstop 3782, Washington, DC 20250-3700. All comments
submitted must include docket number FSIS-2012-0019.
Proposed Rule: PHIS Import Component
This week, FSIS published a proposed rule that will amend its regulations to provide for the Import Component of the Public Health
Information System (PHIS). The proposed rule was published on Nov. 27, 2012, and is posted on the FSIS website at
www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/2009-0022.pdf.
The PHIS Import Component, launched on May 29, 2012, provides an electronic alternative to the paper-based import inspection
application, foreign inspection and foreign establishment certification processes. Information on the implementation of the PHIS
Import Component can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/
PHIS_Import_Component/index.asp.
The comment period for the proposed rule closes on Jan. 28, 2013. Comments may be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking
Portal at www.regulations.gov. They may also be submitted by mail to the Docket Clerk,
USDA, FSIS, Patriots Plaza III, 1400 Independence Ave. S.W., Rm 8-163A, Mailstop 3782, Washington, DC 20250-3700. All
comments submitted must include docket number FSIS-2009-0022.
Updates on FSIS Testing for E. coli
FSIS posts bi-weekly updates for the agency's raw ground beef E. coli sampling program. Included are testing results of
raw ground beef component samples for E. coli O157:H7 and STECs from FSIS routine and follow-up sampling programs.
Also featured is data for non-O157 STECs by each non-O157 STEC serogroup.
To review testing results, go to www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/
Ground_Beef_E.Coli_Testing_Results/index.asp.
FSIS Policy Updates
FSIS issues notices and directives to protect public health. All notices and directives are available at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/index.asp. The following policy
updates were recently issued:
- Directive 7120.1 - Revision 13, Safe and Suitable Ingredients Used in the Production of Meat, Poultry and Egg Products
- Directive 8030.1, Communicating With the Office of Inspector General (OIG)
PHIS Update
FSIS is gearing up to launch the industry functionality of the Public Health Information System (PHIS) to establishments
nationwide. This will include the "plant management" role to review and print noncompliance records, respond to noncompliance
records and appeal noncompliance records, view industry-specific reports and manage users associated with an establishment.
The use of PHIS by industry is optional. For those who are interested in accessing PHIS, you must first establish a USDA
eAuthentication (eAuth) Level 2 account. PHIS will not be accessible to anyone without an eAuth account. The steps on obtaining
eAuth are:
- Log onto www.eauth.egov.usda.gov. Complete the online application for approval and submit it. Within a few minutes, you will receive an e-mail message with instructions on how to proceed.
- You are required to have a Licensed Registration Agent (LRA) verify your identity in person. You must do this before you can receive
a password for your eAuth account. Go to the eAuth website at www.eauth.egov.usda.gov and click on "Find an LRA" at the top right
corner of the screen. Then find an agent in your area using the map provided.
- It is important that you store your eAuth password in a secure location and that you do not share it with others; it is unique to you as an individual.
If you need assistance or have questions about eAuth, contact the USDA eAuth service desk at eAuthHelpDesk@ftc.usda.gov or 1-800-457-3642.
FSIS Updates Aminoglycosides Test
FSIS is announcing that it intends to modify the Chemistry Laboratory Guidebook Method for Screening and Confirmation of
Aminoglycosides by LC/MS/MS. The new method will be used to analyze for aminoglycoside residues in poultry kidney and muscle.
The method will be posted to the FSIS Chemistry Laboratory Guidebook once finalized. The agency intends to begin using the method
on Dec. 21. To review the revisions to the guidebook, visit www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/
Chemistry_Lab_Guidebook/index.asp.
FSIS is Here to Help
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 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24
hours a day.
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.
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Last Modified:
December 3, 2012 |
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