FSIS Extends Comment Period on Proposed Rule for Voluntary “Product of USA” Labeling Claim

FSIS is extending the comment period on the proposed rule for a voluntary “Product of USA” labeling claim. Published on March 13, 2023, the deadline for comments was originally May 12, 2023. The proposed rule will be open for comments for an additional 30 days until June 11, 2023.

As announced in the March 10, 2023, Constituent Update, FSIS proposed new regulatory requirements to better align the voluntary “Product of USA” claim with consumers’ understanding of what the claim means. The proposal allows the voluntary “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” claim to be used only on FSIS-regulated products that are derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the United States.

FSIS is extending the comment period in response to requests from an industry association and a foreign country for additional time to determine and formulate comments on the impact of the proposed regulations.

Comments may be submitted through the federal eRulemaking portal or by mail, sent to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Washington, D.C., 20250-3700. All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the agency name and docket number FSIS 2022-0015.

FSIS Announces Adjusted Dollar Limitations to Qualify for Retail Exemption

FSIS is announcing the dollar limitations on the amount of meat and poultry that a retail store can sell to hotels, restaurants, and similar institutions without disqualifying itself for exemption from federal inspection requirements. In accordance with FSIS' regulations, for calendar year 2023, the value for the retail dollar limitation for meat and meat products (including Siluriformes) is $98,900, and the value for the retail dollar limitation for poultry and poultry products is $72,000. These dollar limitations will be effective on May 8, 2023.

USDA Appoints New Members to Food Safety Advisory Committee

On April 4, 2023, USDA announced the appointment of 15 new members and five returning members to the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI). NACMPI advises the Secretary of Agriculture concerning state and federal programs with respect to meat and poultry inspection, food safety, and other matters that fall within the scope of the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act.

Members of the committee are chosen based on their expertise in meat and poultry safety, public health, and other FSIS policies. See the press release for the full list of NACMPI members.

NACMPI has made important contributions to a broad range of critical food safety issues. The committee reports provide FSIS with current information and advice, which serve as a foundation for regulations and programs aimed at reducing foodborne disease and enhancing public health.

FSIS will announce an upcoming committee meeting and charges when more information is available, which will be posted on the FSIS Events & Meetings page and published in a future Constituent Update.

NACMCF Report on Salmonella Now Available

The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) report, “Response to Questions Posed by the Food Safety and Inspection Service: Enhancing Salmonella Control in Poultry Products,” is now available on the FSIS website. Adopted during the November 15, 2022, NACMCF public meeting, the finalized report includes responses to comments received during the 60-day public review period.

The initial report, posted for review on November 1, 2022, provides detailed responses with nine recommendations addressing the risk management questions posed to the committee by FSIS. The report was adopted during the November 2022 NACMCF public meeting on the condition of finalizing the report to address the items discussed by the committee, oral and chat comments made during the meeting, as well as written comments submitted during the public comment period. The deadline to submit written comments on the document was originally November 15, 2022. FSIS extended the deadline to December 30, 2022, allowing 60 days for public review.

NACMCF provides impartial scientific advice to federal food safety agencies, including FSIS, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Commerce's National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Department of Defense's Veterinary Services Activity. NACMCF reports often serve as foundations for regulations and programs aimed at reducing foodborne disease and enhancing public health.

Reminder: Deadline Extended to Submit Nominations for Membership on Food Safety Advisory Committee

As announced in the March 24, 2023, Constituent Update, FSIS extended the deadline to submit nominations for membership to the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF). The deadline to submit nomination packages was originally March 15, 2023. FSIS extended the deadline to April 17, 2023.

There are 15 vacancies on the advisory committee. USDA is seeking nominees with scientific expertise in the fields of microbiology, risk assessment, epidemiology, public health, food science, and other relevant disciplines. More information and instructions on how to submit nominations are detailed in the Federal Register notice.

NACMCF has made important contributions to a broad range of critical food safety issues. Committee reports provide current information and scientific advice to federal food safety agencies and serve as a foundation for regulations and programs aimed at reducing foodborne disease and enhancing public health. The committee is currently addressing Cronobacter spp. in powdered infant formula for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and anticipates an FSIS charge related to the benefits of genomic characterization of pathogens. Federal food safety agencies involved with NACMCF include FSIS, FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Department of Defense Veterinary Services.

FSIS Posts Quarterly Updates to Establishment-Specific Datasets

Today, FSIS posted quarterly updates to the following establishment-specific datasets on laboratory sampling and inspection tasks.

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
• Exploratory and Special Program Poultry Sampling Data

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

 Establishment-specific Datasets on Inspection Tasks:

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

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 1: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Advanced Meat Recovery
• Until May 1: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Voluntary Destruction of Imported Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products
• Until May 1: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Nutrition Labeling of Major Cuts of Single-Ingredient Raw Meat or Poultry Products and Ground or Chopped Meat and Poultry Products
• Until May 1: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Sanitation SOPs and Pathogen Reduction/HACCP
• Until May 8: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Procedures for the Notification of New Technology and Requests for Waivers
• Until June 11: Voluntary Labeling of FSIS-Regulated Products with U.S.-Origin Claims

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 Notice 14-23 - Requesting Sign Language Interpreter Services

FSIS Notice 15-23 - Leave Bank Program – Additional Open Enrollment Period

Export Requirements Update

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

• Vietnam
• Uruguay
• Egypt
• North Macedonia
• French Polynesia (Tahiti)
• Korea
• Singapore
• Japan
• Cuba
• European Union
• United Kingdom
• New Zealand
• Kazakhstan

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