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Constituent Update
Friday, August 16 2024

Constituent Update - August 16, 2024

FSIS to Start H5N1 Beef Monitoring Sampling

On September 16, 2024, the FSIS will be adding H5N1 influenza A monitoring in dairy cows at slaughter to its already robust national surveillance programs for pathogens and chemical contaminants.

FSIS will leverage its existing National Residue Program (NRP) and conduct H5N1 sampling in the muscle samples of dairy cow carcasses already collected for this program. Samples will be tested by FSIS laboratory personnel using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Carcasses sampled under the NRP are held by establishments pending results of residue testing. This process will not require additional holding time for carcasses beyond current residue testing protocols. In the event of a positive H5N1 finding, USDA will work with industry to ensure the carcass does not enter the food supply. 

This initiative builds upon three separate studies previously conducted by USDA. More information on those studies can be found at: Updates on H5N1 Beef Safety Studies | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. 

FSIS will keep stakeholders informed of the results of the H5N1 sampling.

FSIS Extends Comment Period on Proposed Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products

FSIS is extending the comment period by 30 days for the Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products proposed rule and determination, to more effectively reduce Salmonella illnesses linked to raw poultry. The comment period will now end on November 7, 2024. The proposal was published in the Federal Register on August 7, 2024. Industry associations requested the extension to review and consider the proposal and supporting documentation to formulate comments on these documents.

Comments may be submitted online via the federal eRulemaking portal, available at www.regulations.gov; by mail sent to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Washington, DC 20250-3700, or by hand or courier delivery to 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 350-E, Washington, DC 20250-3700. All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the agency name and docket number FSIS-2023-0028.

FSIS Announces September Webinars on Salmonella Framework Proposal

FSIS is hosting two webinars to share information about the science behind its Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products proposed rule and determination to reduce Salmonella illnesses linked to raw poultry products. The webinars will be held on September 9, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. E.T. and September 10, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. E.T. The webinars will address topics such as findings from the NACMCF Subcommittee Report on Enhancing Salmonella Control in Poultry Products; the Salmonella Risk Profile, and the Salmonella in Poultry Risk Assessments; Statistical Process Control and the FSIS Proposed Lower Capability Process Index Statistical Measurement Model; and the FSIS Poultry Exploratory Sampling Program Report. Different topics will be covered each day, and the presentations will be recorded.

FSIS invites interested stakeholders, including public health partners, industry representatives, consumer groups, and other members of the public, to join the webinars to learn more about the scientific support documents and related resources referenced in the proposed Salmonella framework. The proposal was published on August 7, 2024 in the Federal Register. Participants will have an opportunity to ask clarifying questions or technical questions about the information shared during the webinar. There will be no opportunity to give or submit formal public comment during the webinars.

Comments may be submitted online via the federal eRulemaking portal, available at www.regulations.gov; by mail sent to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Washington, DC 20250-3700, or by hand or courier delivery to 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 350-E, Washington, DC 20250-3700. All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the agency name and docket number FSIS-2023-0028.

Information on how to join the webinars will be announced in a future Constituent Update.

NACMPI to Hold Public Meeting

The National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) will convene a virtual meeting on September 16 and 17, 2024, from 10-4 p.m. ET.

At the meeting, NACMPI will review and advise FSIS on whether the agency should change its definitions for establishment sizes to better assess and describe current business operations. The committee will also offer input on ways technology could enhance FSIS’ inspection activities.

There is no fee to register for the public meeting, but pre-registration is mandatory for participants attending. All attendees must register online. Attendees may indicate on their online registration if they wish to make an oral comment during the meeting. The Federal Register notice provides details on the meeting and guidance on submitting written comments. FSIS will post the meeting agenda on the FSIS Events & Meetings page in advance of the meeting.

NACMPI provides advice to the Secretary of Agriculture concerning state and federal programs with respect to meat and poultry inspection and other matters that fall within the scope of the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act.

FSIS to Post Individual Category Status and Aggregate Results for Poultry Carcasses, Chicken Parts, and Comminuted Poultry Tested for Salmonella

On August 20, 2024, FSIS will update the individual establishment Salmonella performance standard category information for raw poultry carcasses, raw chicken parts, and comminuted poultry products on the Salmonella Verification Testing Program Monthly Posting page on the FSIS website. Additionally, FSIS will post the aggregate sampling results showing the number of establishments in categories 1, 2, or 3 for establishments producing young poultry carcasses, raw chicken parts, or not ready-to-eat (NRTE) comminuted poultry products at the location linked above.

Reminder: PHIS Accounts to Begin Using Login.gov for Authentication

FSIS reminds industry Public Health Information System (PHIS) users that USDA has begun requiring them to add login.gov authentication to their existing eAuth accounts before they can log into PHIS. Please see the instructions in the PHIS Industry User Guide, section 2 (Overview of PHIS) to add login.gov authentication to existing eAuth accounts. The Industry PHIS Help page also includes tutorials on setting up login.gov accounts in the “Access to PHIS Tutorials” section.

Reminder: FSIS to Onboard Mexico in PHIS Export Component

Starting November 4, 2024, all FSIS meat and poultry product export certificates for products exported to Mexico will be generated, issued and officially maintained in FSIS’ Public Health Information System (PHIS). This change excludes certificates for casings and egg products. The Mexico PHIS Industry Test Environment (ITE) is currently available for testing.

All export certificates (FSIS Form 9060-5 series) generated through PHIS will be digitally signed by FSIS and will be printed on plain paper by industry personnel with PHIS access. These plain paper forms must include the PHIS-generated watermark. Any attestations for Mexico, as documented in the FSIS Export Library, will be captured in the FSIS Form 9060-5 remarks section or the FSIS Form 9060-5B (continuation sheet). The digitally signed FSIS Form 9060-5 series printed on plain watermarked paper and available for validation in PHIS will replace all letterhead certificates for meat and poultry exported to Mexico. Beginning November 4, 2024, no wet-signed 9060-5 series export certificates, including letterhead certificates, will be issued for meat and poultry products for export to Mexico.

Industry is strongly encouraged to use the ITE to test application submittals for export to Mexico. Testing instructions for industry are available on the FSIS website, PHIS Components page, under Information for Industry. Please note that an electronic identification account with identity verification steps is required for all persons who will access PHIS, for both the test environment and the live production environment. User accounts are disabled for those who have not used PHIS in 60 days. For those new to the PHIS export component, please register with Login.gov to initiate, update, or complete the electronic identification account and the PHIS enrollment process. Instructions can be found in the PHIS Industry User Guide, section 2 (Overview of PHIS).

As noted in previous Constituent Updates, industry is strongly encouraged to ensure establishment information in PHIS is aligned with Mexico’s approved establishment list. Misaligned information risks held or rejected shipments upon Mexico’s implementation in PHIS. 

For further guidance on PHIS export and enrollment, please refer to the following user guides:

Please contact internationalcoordination@usda.gov with questions regarding these changes. Technical questions can be directed to PHISTechnicalQA@usda.gov.

Upcoming Events

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:

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 27-24 - FSIS Workplace Safety and Health Hazards FY25 Training

FSIS Notice 26-24 - FSIS H5N1 Influenza A Dairy Cow Testing Program

Export Requirements Update

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

  • Canada
  • Peru
  • Mexico
  • India
  • Solomon Islands
  • Mauritius
  • Egypt
  • European Union
  • Taiwan
  • French Polynesia (Tahiti)
  • Cuba
  • Western Samoa (Samoa)
  • Chile
  • Dominican Republic
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Nicaragua
  • Panama
  • Turkey

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

Last Updated: Aug 16, 2024