Constituent Update - August 4, 2023
NARMS Releases 2020 Interagency Report
On August 2, 2023, the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) published the 2020 Integrated Summary. This interagency report includes data providing phenotypic and genomic antimicrobial resistance trends for Salmonella, Campylobacter, generic E. coli, and Enterococcus isolated from retail meat and food-producing animals. New features of the 2020 interactive report include allowing viewers to generate on-demand, user-friendly data displays, where statistically significant antimicrobial resistance trends are highlighted.
NARMS is a collaboration between state and local public health departments and federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and Agricultural Research Service (ARS). The FSIS program focuses on testing food products and intestinal (cecal) contents.
NARMS findings help public health partners continually assess the nature and magnitude of bacterial antibiotic resistance at different points along the farm-to-fork continuum. Traditionally, NARMS has tracked changes in antimicrobial susceptibility of select foodborne enteric bacteria found in ill people (CDC), retail meats (FDA), and food animals (USDA). This national surveillance program helps the public health partners identify new types and patterns of resistance and any changes over time. NARMS also aids in understanding the impact of interventions designed to limit the spread of resistance. FSIS and the CDC also use NARMS information on a case-by-case basis to investigate foodborne illnesses and outbreaks. FDA routinely uses NARMS data in its regulatory review and approval of new animal antimicrobial drugs, and to develop and update policies on the judicious use of antimicrobials in animals.
Upcoming Events
- Wednesday, August 30, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. ET: 2023 Public Meeting: National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods
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 August 11: Salmonella in Not-Ready-To-Eat Breaded Stuffed Chicken Products
- Until August 25: National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods
- Until August 29: Notice of Request To Revise an Approved Information Collection: Accreditation of Laboratories, Transactions and Exemptions
- Until September 11: Notice of Request for a New Information Collection: Qualitative Research on Food Safety Behaviors Among Parents and Caregivers Who Prepare Meals for Minors or Older Adults. In Depth Interview Research
Export Requirements Update
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated for products for the following:
- Singapore
- European Union
- Kazakhstan
- New Caledonia
- Kuwait
- Jamaica
- Mauritius
- Egypt
- Nicaragua
- Korea
- Hong Kong
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Curacao
- Uruguay
- Colombia
- Tunisia
- French Polynesia (Tahiti)
- Namibia
- New Zealand
- India
- Ecuador
- Barbados
- St. Lucia
- Turks & Caicos Islands
- Benin
- Myanmar
- Costa Rica
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- El Salvador
- Turkey
Complete information can be found at the FSIS Import & Export Library.