REVISED DOCUMENTATION RELATED TO SPECIFIED RISK MATERIALS (SRMs)
AND OTHER REGULATIONS

This notice cancels FSIS Notice 01-07, Documentation Related to Specified Risk Materials (SRMs) and Other Regulations, and reissues its content to present a clearer example of an SRM noncompliance.

The purpose of this notice is to emphasize the importance of citing every relevant regulation on FSIS Form 5400-4, Noncompliance Record (NR), and, in particular, stresses that inspection program personnel are to always cite the appropriate sections of 9 CFR 310.22 when a noncompliance involves SRMs.

Inspection program personnel are to cite 9 CFR 310.22 in the Relevant Regulation section of every noncompliance record (NR) for an establishment that does not meet the regulatory requirements for controlling SRMs. In addition to selecting 9 CFR 310.22, inspection program personnel are to select all other regulations with which there has been noncompliance.

For example, while performing the 03C02 procedure the IIC observes spinal cord on previously cut semi-boneless steaks, and the establishment cannot demonstrate the spinal cord was from an animal that was younger than 30 months at the time of slaughter. The IIC cites 9 CFR 417.2(c)(4) and 310.22(b) in the Relevant Regulations section on the Procedure Results NR screen. The IIC notifies the appropriate establishment official of the finding. The IIC also verifies that the corrective actions implemented by the establishment meet the requirements of 9 CFR 417.3(a) before issuing the NR.

Inspection program personnel are to describe the noncompliances in the Narrative Section, block 10, of the NR. The narrative should include a complete description of the SRM noncompliance, including the type of SRM and any other information relevant to the noncompliance. The narrative should also address each of the other regulations that inspection program personnel cite in the Relevant Regulations section on the NR screen. The statements in block 10 of the NR are to support completely and adequately the regulatory noncompliances cited.

For every NR that inspection program personnel issue, it is important that they cite all relevant regulations. These citations provide data that are the basis for critical, risk-based decisions that the FSIS must regularly make when working to ensure that meat and poultry products are safe. Thus, it is not appropriate for inspection program personnel to cite only one regulation if other regulations are also violated by the noncompliance that is the subject of the NR.

Inspection program personnel with technical questions related to the use of PBIS, or who experience technical problems, should contact the FAIM Help Desk at 1-800-473-9135. They should contact the Technical Service Center at 1-800-233-3935 for policy-related questions.
 

Philip S. Derfler /s/

Assistant Administrator
Office of Policy, Program, and Employee Development