FSIS Posts Updated Quarterly Sampling Results

The sampling results for FSIS regulated products has been updated on the agency’s website. Every quarter, the agency calculates prevalence, volume weighted percent positive, or percent positive calculations for microbial pathogens in FSIS regulated products that are currently sampled through existing sampling projects using the prior 12 months of sampling data. Sampling results are available for raw beef, raw pork, raw chicken, raw turkey, processed eggs, and ready-to-eat products. For more information, visit: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/science-data/data-sets-visualizations/microbiology.

FSIS Posts Updated Dataset on Imports

FSIS has updated the publicly posted dataset on import refusals for products regulated by FSIS. Federal law requires every commercial shipment of imported meat, poultry, and egg products to be inspected prior to product entering U.S. commerce. FSIS inspects each shipment to verify labeling, proper certification, general condition, any signs of tampering and to identify product adulterated by transportation damage. FSIS also performs additional inspection activities on a random and 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, and the importer has up to 45 days (30 days for egg products) to have the product destroyed for use as human food, re-exported/returned to the foreign country, converted to animal food, or brought into compliance with FSIS requirements, if applicable (e.g., relabeled, remarked, replacement certificate). This dataset is updated around the 15th of each month and contains each shipment with product that was refused entry. For more information, please visit: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/inspection/import-export/international-reports/import-and-export-data.

FSIS Posts Next Set of Establishment Specific Datasets

FSIS is preparing to publish the next set of establishment specific datasets as announced in the Federal Register on July 14, 2016 (Docket No. FSIS-2014-0032). Prior to publishing these datasets, FSIS is making sample datasets available. The sample dataset and corresponding data dictionary on raw comminuted turkey sampling results can be found at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/science-data/data-sets-visualizations/laboratory-sampling-data. Please visit: https://www.regulations.gov/ and follow the online instructions at that site for submitting comments to Docket FSIS- FSIS-2014-0032 by March 29, 2019. FSIS intends to publish the full dataset on April 5, 2019. Additional details can be found in the FSIS Establishment-Specific Data Release Strategic Plan.

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

On Feb. 20, 2019, FSIS will update the individual establishment Salmonella performance standard category information for raw poultry carcasses, raw chicken parts and comminuted poultry products at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/science-data/data-sets-visualizations/microbiology. Additionally, FSIS will post the aggregate sampling results showing the number of establishments in categories 1, 2, or 3 for establishments producing young chicken or turkey carcasses, raw chicken parts or not ready-to-eat (NRTE) comminuted poultry products at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/science-data/data-sets-visualizations/microbiology

Policy Update

FSIS notices and directives on public health and regulatory issues are available at:

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/policy. The following policy update was recently issued:

• Notice 02-19- Individual Development Plans
• Notice 03-19- Actions to Take When Raw Poultry Establishment Receive Campylobacter Test Results.

Export Requirements Updates

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

• European Union
• Japan
• New Caledonia
• Republic of Congo
• South Africa
• Western Samoa

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