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Constituent Update
Friday, December 15 2023

Constituent Update - December 15, 2023

Upcoming NACMCF Subcommittee Meeting

The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) Genomics Subcommittee will convene a virtual meeting on December 18, 2023, from 1-2 p.m., ET.

To request to attend the subcommittee meeting, please contact the NACMCF Secretariat at NACMCF@usda.gov.

For more information on the committee and its charges visit the FSIS NACMCF webpage.

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

On December 20, 2023, 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.

FSIS to Post Updated Datasets on Import Refusals

On December 15, 2023, FSIS will update the publicly posted dataset on import refusals 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. Within 45 days for meat and poultry or 30 days for egg products, the importer must have the product destroyed for use as human food, re-exported 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. To access these datasets or view more information about them, please visit the Import and Export Data page.

Tips for Faster Label Approval

Labels are currently taking 3-5 business days to evaluate.

TIP: When using a new livestock or poultry supplier in a product bearing approved animal-raising claims on the label, an establishment may submit a letter in lieu of a new label application.

When FSIS approves a label with an animal-raising claim, the documentation in the application must include relevant information regarding the supplier of the livestock or poultry. If an establishment wishes to use a different source of livestock or poultry that is also eligible to bear the same animal-raising claim, the new supplier must also be approved by FSIS. Rather than submitting a new label application to FSIS, the establishment may submit either a signed and dated letter request by email to Animalraising.label@usda.gov or a hard copy letter to the Labeling and Program Delivery Staff that includes the following:

  • The product name;
  • The producing establishment’s name, address, and establishment number;
  • The prior label approval number and date of approval;
  • A copy of the previously approved label application;
  • The specific claims being used on the product label and date of approval;
  • The new supplier’s name, address, and a copy of any labels with the same claims previously approved by FSIS associated with the new supplier and/or any documentation to support the use of the claims for the new supplier; and
  • If applicable, a copy of the current third-party certificates for claims certified under a third-party organization.

Once the documentation is reviewed, FSIS will notify the establishment in writing of its final determination, typically within 3-5 business days once the letter is received. Upon approval, the producing establishment must update their labeling record to reflect the new supplier(s).

FSIS will continue to provide updates regarding label turnaround time, as well as suggestions to assist industry to streamline label submissions in its Constituent Update.

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 66-23 - Eligibility of Paraguay to Export Raw Intact Beef Products to the United States

Export Requirements Update

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

  • United Kingdom
  • Solomon Islands
  • French Polynesia (Tahiti)
  • Panama
  • European Union
  • Taiwan
  • Canada
  • Qatar
  • Hong Kong
  • Chile
  • Mexico
  • Jamaica
  • China
  • Kazakhstan
  • Benin
  • Dominican Republic
  • Cuba

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

Last Updated: Dec 15, 2023