FSIS Updates Fact Sheet on Food Product Dating to Reduce Food Waste

The USDA estimates that approximately 30 percent of the U.S. food supply is wasted. Wasted food is the single largest category of material placed in municipal landfills and much of it likely could have helped feed families in need. Additionally, water, energy, and labor used to produce wasted food could have been used for other purposes. To help combat this issue, FSIS is announcing the availability of an updated fact sheet on food product dating that is aimed at reducing food waste through encouraging food manufacturers and retailers to use a “Best if Used By” date label.

The changes to the fact sheet include updating a hyperlink to FSIS’ fact sheet on shelf-stable products and adding “Freeze By” to the list of commonly used phrases used on labels to describe quality dates. These changes stem from FSIS requesting comments in 2016 to a previous version of the fact sheet.

The updated fact sheet also builds on other changes that FSIS has made to facilitate food donation and reduce waste. FSIS issued Directive 7020.1 to make it easier for companies to donate products that may be misbranded or economically adulterated but are still deemed to be safe and wholesome to eat. FSIS also worked with Cornell University, and the Food Marketing Institute to develop the FoodKeeper App, which helps consumers understand food and beverage storage, proper cooking temperatures, and how to maximize the freshness and quality of items.

Establishment Specific Datasets Now Available

FSIS has posted a new establishment specific dataset on the FSIS website in compliance with Docket No. FSIS-2014-0032, which was posted in the Federal Register on July 14, 2016. This is the full dataset of FSIS’ routine microbiological sampling of raw comminuted turkey. Prior to publishing this dataset, the sample dataset and corresponding data dictionary were posted on February 15, 2019, and comments were sought until March 29, 2019.  FSIS updates existing datasets quarterly and this dataset will next be updated in July.

The following quarterly updates to other establishment specific datasets are now available on the FSIS website:

• Establishment Demographic Data, which supplements the existing MPI Directory
• Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Meat and Poultry Sampling Data
• Egg Product Sampling Data
• Raw Ground Beef Sampling Data
• Raw Beef Trim Sampling Data
• Raw Beef Components Sampling Data
• Raw Beef Follow-up Sampling Data
• Raw Chicken Carcasses
• Raw Turkey Carcasses
• Raw Chicken Parts
• Raw Comminuted Chicken

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

Label Backlog Update and Tips for the Label Approval Process

FSIS is currently experiencing a delay of about 22-23 business days in evaluations for labels that require review prior to use. By providing industry with suggestions via the Constituent Update for correcting these mistakes, FSIS is hopeful that it will achieve a faster, more efficient label evaluation process while reducing the label application backlog.

TIP: Knowing when and how to use the “Edit” function in the Label Submission and Approval System (LSAS).

FSIS staff frequently return label applications through LSAS because the label requires changes, the application is incomplete, or the staff officer needs additional information or clarification to review the label. To update the label application with a corrected version of the label or to upload additional documentation, the submitter should select the returned application from the Returned Pool in LSAS and then select “Manage Application.” Next, the submitter should select “Edit” from the “Available Actions” menu. This function allows the submitter to make corrections to the label application.  Once in the editor, the submitter can quickly navigate to the desired information or screen by using the “Go To” drop-down list located in the upper right corner.  The submitter should then make the appropriate changes to the selected screen, and save them using the Save button at the bottom of the screen. Finally, the submitter needs to select the “7234 Summary” screen to review and resubmit the label application to FSIS. Following these steps will allow for the shortest turnaround time for the follow-up evaluation.

For additional information on how to resubmit a label application that has been returned in LSAS, please see the “Handle A Returned Label Application” section in the LSAS User Guide, beginning on pg. 112, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/import/LSAS-Industry-User-Guide-063015.pdf.

Export Requirements Updates

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

• Australia
• Barbados
• Canada
• Costa Rica
• El Salvador
• European Union
• French Polynesia
• Ghana
• Honduras
• Hong Kong
• Japan
• Jordan
• Kiribati
• Mexico
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• Qatar
• Republic of Korea
• Singapore
• South Africa
• Taiwan

Complete information can be found at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/inspection/import-export.

Policy Update

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

• Notice 09-19 - Changes to the Meat Regulations
• Directive 14000.2 - Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit Responsibilities Related to Siluriformes Fish and Fish Products
• Docket No. FSIS-2019-0005 - Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Registration Requirements
• Docket No. FSIS-2019-0006 - Notice of Request To Revise an Approved Information Collection: Import of Undenatured Inedible Product and Samples for Laboratory Examination, Research, Evaluative Testing, or Trade Show Exhibition