FSIS Develops Quantitative Risk Metric for International Equivalence Reviews

FSIS has developed a new risk metric to support international equivalence reviews for countries that implement alternative measures as part of their food safety inspection system. The quantitative risk metric bolsters FSIS’ data-driven approach to food safety and enhances FSIS’ robust process for evaluating the equivalence of a country’s alternative measures.

FSIS permits countries with inspection procedures that differ from FSIS’ inspection system to export products to the United States if they can show that their inspection system provides an equivalent level of public health protection to FSIS’ inspection system. Countries may choose to submit pathogen testing data as evidence of the comparative safety of their food products. The quantitative risk metric supplements FSIS’ existing process for evaluating alternative measures with a consistent and objective approach to evaluating pathogen testing data a country may submit.

To further transparency of FSIS’ process for evaluating alternative measures, the methodology for the risk metric has been published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology.

FSIS Releases FY 2018 Dioxin Report

FSIS has published the Dioxin FY 2018 Survey: Dioxins and Dioxin-Like Compounds in the U.S. Domestic Meat and Poultry Supply on the FSIS website. FSIS in collaboration with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency conducts periodic surveys for dioxins in meat and poultry.

In comparison to previous surveys, dioxin and dioxin-like compounds were 30% lower in young chickens and young turkeys, 16% lower in market hogs, and 26% higher in steers/heifers.

Although there was an increase in dioxin contamination level in steers/heifers, the change in residue levels in the 2018–2019 survey as compared to 2012–2013, were not considered significant. Steers and heifers generally have the widest range of values. This finding is expected given that cattle in the U.S. graze on a wide variety of pastureland across the country, whereas poultry and market hog production is typically confined and integrated with large feed suppliers.

FSIS and the collaborating agencies will continue to monitor and report the dioxin levels in meat and poultry products to inform future activities related to dioxins. More information on the process of sampling meat, poultry, and egg products for chemical contaminants is available on the FSIS website.

FSIS Releases Five-Year Review of Siluriformes Fish Testing

Today, FSIS posted a new report, Data Summary of Siluriformes Fish Testing: A Five-Year Review, FY 2016-2020, on the FSIS website.

The report describes the decline in Salmonella and chemical residues (veterinary drugs, dyes, pesticides, and metals) in Siluriformes fish over the past five years. This analysis affirms FSIS’ commitment to review and utilize the information collected by the agency and provide data-driven recommendations for future FSIS sampling activities related to raw Siluriformes fish products.

More information can be found on the FSIS Sampling Program webpage. 

FSIS to Post Establishment-Specific Datasets

On April 1, 2022, FSIS will post quarterly updates to establishment-specific datasets on laboratory sampling and inspection tasks on the FSIS website.  

FSIS will update the following establishment-specific datasets on laboratory sampling:

• Egg Product Sampling Data
• Intensified Verification Testing Data
• Raw Beef Components Sampling Data
• Raw Beef Follow-up Sampling Data
• Raw Beef Trim Sampling Data
• Raw Ground Beef Sampling Data
• Raw Chicken Carcasses Sampling Data
• Raw Chicken Parts Sampling Data
• Raw Comminuted Chicken Sampling Data
• Raw Comminuted Turkey Sampling Data
• Raw Turkey Carcasses Sampling Data
• Raw Pork Products Sampling Data
• Raw Poultry Follow-up Sampling Data
• Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Meat and Poultry Sampling Data
• Risk-based Listeria monocytogenes Sampling Data
• Siluriformes Product Sampling Data

Please note that the establishment-specific data on tested product contained in laboratory sampling results datasets are not sufficient to determine an association to human illnesses. Further epidemiologic information is needed to determine if there is an association between the non-clinical isolates and human illnesses.

FSIS will update the following establishment-specific datasets on inspection tasks:

• Livestock Humane Handling Inspection Tasks
• Poultry Good Commercial Practices Inspection Tasks

Tips for Faster Label Approval Process

Labels are currently taking about 3-5 business days to evaluate.  

TIP: The USDA legend and establishment number are the only mandatory labeling features permitted on unprocessed meat cuts packaged in unlabeled protective coverings. When protective coverings bear additional mandatory labeling features (e.g., safe handling instructions), they must bear all of the label features required on an immediate container.  

FSIS regulations in 9 CFR 317.1 state that receptacles or coverings that constitute the immediate container of a product must bear all mandatory labeling features required under 9 CFR 317.2. While 9 CFR 317.1(a) lists exceptions to this requirement, the Food Standards and Labeling Policy Book describes the agency’s policy for transparent film bags enclosing individual unprocessed meat cuts. Such containers can be considered protective coverings and exempt from marking and labeling requirements if placed in an outer container that meets all mandatory labeling requirements of an immediate container. These unlabeled, unprocessed meat cuts may only be removed from the shipping container for resale and further distribution to retailers, hotels, restaurants, and similar institutions if the film bag or the product itself bears a clearly legible official mark of inspection and the establishment number.

Although not specifically applicable to unprocessed meat cuts, 9 CFR 317.1(a)(1) allows for non-mandatory information such as “company brand names, trademarks or code numbers which do not include any information required by 317.2” to appear on protective coverings. If an unprocessed meat cut is packaged in a protective covering bearing a mandatory labeling feature other than the official inspection legend and establishment number, such as safe handling instructions (SHI), it is then considered the immediate container and subject to all applicable labeling requirements prescribed in 9 CFR 317.2. Thus, if an establishment elects to apply SHI to protective coverings, the protective covering, which is now considered the immediate container, must bear all other mandatory label features required on an immediate container.

For additional information about the FSIS protective covering policy see the entries under “Protective Coverings” in the FSIS Food Standards and Labeling Policy Book.

FSIS will continue to provide updates regarding label turnaround time, as well as suggestions to assist industry to streamline label submissions in its Constituent Update. 

Policy Update

FSIS notices and directives on public health and regulatory issues are available on the FSIS Policy webpage. The following policy updates were recently issued:

FSIS Directive 10240.3 - FSIS Ready-To-Eat Sampling Programs

FSIS Directive 10240.4 - Listeria Rule Verification Activities - Revision 4

Export Requirements Update

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

• Morocco
• Egypt
• South Africa
• Tunisia
• Canada
• Mauritius
• Benin
• Kazakhstan
• Turkey
• North Macedonia
• United Kingdom
• Ukraine
• Taiwan
• European Union
• Singapore
• Korea
• French Polynesia (Tahiti)
• China
• Kiribati
• Jordan
• Vietnam
• Myanmar
• Dominican Republic
• Western Samoa (Samoa)
• New Caledonia
• Hong Kong
• New Zealand
• Solomon Islands
• Qatar
• United Arab Emirates 
• India
• Dominica
• Cuba
• Mexico

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