FSIS to Host Webinars on Voluntary U.S.-Origin Claims

On April 30 and May 15, 2024, FSIS will host webinars to provide an overview of the March, 2024, “Voluntary Labeling of FSIS-Regulated Products with U.S.-Origin Claims” final rule and information about the related guidance. The webinars will also provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions.

Both webinars will be held from 1:00-2:15 p.m. ET.

Establishments choosing to include voluntary U.S.-origin claims (e.g., “Product of USA”) on the labels of FSIS-regulated products will need to comply with the new regulatory requirements by January 1, 2026, and are encouraged to do so as soon as practicable.

The webinars will be held on Microsoft Teams. Pre-registration for the webinars is not required. Recordings of both webinars, along with presentation slides, will be posted on the FSIS website for those unable to attend. To access the webinars please visit the events page on the FSIS website.

FSIS Releases Revised Guideline for Training Establishment Carcass Sorters in NPIS

FSIS has updated its industry guideline for training establishment carcass sorters in the New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS) to reflect the final rule “Condemnation of Poultry Carcasses Affected With Any Form of Avian Leukosis Complex; Recission” published on August 17, 2023. This guideline provides information to help poultry establishments train employees to conduct carcass and associated viscera sorting activities that are required under the NPIS.

FSIS to Post Updated Datasets on Import Refusals and Import Volume

On April 15, 2024, FSIS will update the publicly posted datasets on import refusals and country-level import volume for products that the agency regulates. Federal law requires every commercial shipment of imported meat, poultry, and egg products to be reinspected prior to product entering U.S. commerce. FSIS reinspects 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). 

The current Import Refusals dataset is updated around the 15th of each month and the archived Import Refusals dataset is updated around the 15th of the first month of each quarter. The datasets contain each shipment with product that was refused entry.

Both the current and archived Import Volume datasets are updated around the 15th of the first month of each quarter. These data represent the volume of imported meat, poultry, and egg products presented for reinspection to FSIS at port of entry.

To access these datasets or view more information about them, please visit the Import and Export Data page.

Upcoming Events

• Voluntary Labeling of FSIS-Regulated Products with U.S.-Origin Claims: April 30: 1:00-2:15 p.m. ET; May 15, 1:00-2:15 p.m. ET.

Available for Public Comment

FSIS seeks public comments on proposed rules and notices, which are viewable on the FSIS Federal Register & Rulemaking webpage. FSIS is currently seeking comments on the following:

• Until May 17, 2024: Voluntary Labeling of FSIS-Regulated Products with U.S.-Origin Claims
• Until May 31, 2024: Availability of Revised Guideline for Controlling Retained Water in Raw Meat and Poultry
• Until June 3, 2024: Notice of Request to Renew an Approved Information Collection: Voluntary Recalls of Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products

Policy Update

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

FSIS Directive 10100.1 - FSIS Cecal Sampling Under the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System Surveillance Program - Revision 3

Export Requirements Update

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

• Dominican Republic
• Western Samoa (Samoa)
• Chile
• Egypt
• Vietnam
• Mexico
• El Salvador
• Kazakhstan
• Jamaica
• Hong Kong
• Peru
• Singapore
• Korea
• Costa Rica
• Curacao
• Canada
• Taiwan
• Japan
• China
• Colombia
• Cuba

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