FSIS Posts Updated Dataset on Import Refusals

On April 15, 2020, FSIS will update the publicly posted dataset on import refusals for products that the agency regulates. Federal law requires every commercial shipment of imported meat, poultry, and egg products to be re-inspected prior to product entering U.S. commerce. FSIS re-inspects each shipment to verify labeling, proper certification, general condition, and any signs of tampering and to identify product adulterated by transportation damage. FSIS also performs additional activities on a random and/or for-cause basis, such as physical product examination and laboratory sampling for pathogens and chemical residues.

Any product that does not meet FSIS requirements is refused entry, and the importer has up to 45 days (30 days for egg products) to have the product destroyed for use as human food, re-exported/returned to the foreign country, converted to animal food, or brought into compliance with FSIS requirements, if applicable (e.g., relabeled, remarked, or issued a replacement certificate).

This dataset is updated around the 15th of each month and contains each shipment with product that was refused entry. To access these datasets or view more information about them, please visit the FSIS Datasets page at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/science-data.

COVID-19 FAQs

Make sure to review our Frequently Asked Questions at USDA.gov/coronavirus. New this week:

1. Are meat, poultry, and egg products inspection services and the issuance of export documentation being discontinued by the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak?
2. Are food products produced in the United States and exported a risk for the spread of COVID-19?
3. Should employees in food production settings wear face coverings to prevent exposure to COVID-19?

Establishment-Specific Datasets Now Available

FSIS has posted the quarterly updates to the establishment-specific datasets on the FSIS website for the following products:

• Egg Product Sampling 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 Poultry Follow-up Sampling Data
• Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Meat and Poultry Sampling Data
• Risk-based Listeria monocytogenes Sampling Data

Data contained in the laboratory sampling results datasets on tested products from establishments 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.

Additional details can be found at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/science-data/data-sets-visualizations/laboratory-sampling-data

Policy Updates

FSIS notices and directives on public health and regulatory issues are available at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/policy/directives-notices. The following policy updates were recently issued:

FSIS Notice 17-20 - FY2020 Continuing Education Program for Public Health Veterinarians

FSIS Notice 18-20 - Covid-19 Funding Use for Payroll and Travel

FSIS Notice 19-20 - Use of Protective Face Coverings to Reduce the Spread of Covid-19

FSIS Directive 4410.5 - Student Loan Repayment Program For In-Plant Veterinary Medical Officers