FSIS Publishes Privacy Act Exemption for AssuranceNet Final Rule

On February 20, 2024, FSIS will publish the final rule “Privacy Act Exemption for AssuranceNet” In the Federal Register. The final rule exempts certain records maintained by its AssuranceNet (ANet) system of records from the notification and access provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974.

The exemption is intended to protect information on the methods used in law enforcement activities from individuals who are subject to investigations and to protect the identities and physical safety of witnesses and others who aid in investigations. In addition, the exemption will ensure FSIS’ ability to obtain information from third parties and safeguard those investigatory records that are needed for litigation.

Small and Very Small Establishment Outreach Survey

In the coming weeks, FSIS will be soliciting feedback from small and very small establishment owners through a survey to understand how FSIS can better serve the needs of small establishments and improve outreach. The survey is tentatively scheduled to run from March 4 to April 12, 2024. The survey will be available in multiple languages.

This survey is one of many ways FSIS is working to bring equity to small and very small establishments. By giving feedback through this survey, owners of small establishments can help FSIS determine what needs exist and how resources can be deployed most effectively. This voluntary survey will take approximately 5 minutes or less to complete and responses are confidential.

If you are a small or very small establishment owner, please check that your Establishment Profile in PHIS has an accurate email address to ensure that you receive the survey.

Preview of Planned Enhancements for PHIS Export Module

FSIS is planning significant improvements to the PHIS export application process in 2025 as part of our ongoing PHIS modernization initiative. FSIS has combined input from FSIS subject matter experts and recommendations from industry stakeholders to identify several important enhancements to the export module used by export applicants.

The significant improvements include:

• Enhanced filtering and sorting of the application list, a tab of recently accessed applications, and additional information about each application on the list page, reducing the need to open individual applications when searching.
• Applicants may unlock a submitted export application and edit almost all data elements in the application until FSIS inspection personnel have approved the certificate. PHIS will let FSIS inspection personnel review the changes. Some changes may require FSIS personnel to reinspect the product to be exported. NOTE: PHIS will continue current FSIS policy to limit the ability to make changes to product data elements on a replacement application to maintain the integrity of the FSIS export certification process. This means that when mistakes related to the product on the export certificate are detected after product arrives at a foreign port, that product will often need to be returned to the US to be re-certified for export.
• Applicant may select from a list of most recent entries for importer and exporter and pre-fill data fields when the applicant selects one.
• Applicants may initiate a replacement certificate with one click from the original certificate and prefill the original certificate number to be replaced.
• Applicants may choose from the establishment’s “Doing Business As” names in the PHIS profile to specify which business name shows on the export certificate for the exporting establishment.
• Applicants may copy a product entry or select from recent product entries to streamline adding product information to applications.
• Applicants may enter secondary species for multi-species products and allow the applicant to choose applicable statements for the secondary species.
• PHIS will validate product weight entries made by applicants. PHIS will compare the values for pounds and kilograms when both values are entered and will compare the calculated total product weight to the value entered by the applicant. PHIS will visually indicate potential errors to help the applicant make corrections before submission. NOTE: PHIS will not prevent submission of values that fail validation.
• PHIS will show additional events in the application history, allowing applicants to track the certification process more easily.
• PHIS will make it easier for applicants to grant access control for specific common designees and will allow changes to access control up to and after approval of the certificate by FSIS.
• PHIS will prevent accidental deletion of applications by requiring an applicant to re-type the application number in the confirmation window. PHIS will also allow applicants to see recently deleted applications.

FSIS plans to provide additional information and demonstrations of the new features as development progresses. FSIS will provide access to the new export module in the Industry Test Environment to allow industry users to become familiar with the new features before implementing it in the production PHIS environment.

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

On February 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.

FSIS Creates Payment Options & Information Webpage

FSIS has created a webpage for establishments that need FSIS contact information for billing questions, payment options, and debt management. The webpage has instructions for submitting payments by mail or electronically.

For general billing inquiries, email fsis.billing@usda.gov or call 515-334-2000. Any questions concerning debt management needs may be directed to fpcdebtmgmt@usda.gov or call 515-334-2000.

Payments for delinquent debts that have been referred to the U.S. Treasury must be made directly to them. For more information, please contact the U.S. Treasury Department at 888-826-3127.

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 April 8, 2024: Notice of Request to Renew an Approved Information Collection: Mechanically Tenderized Beef Products

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 07-24 - Requesting Sign Language Interpreter Services

FSIS Directive 10010.1 - Sampling Verification Activities for Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli (STEC) in Raw Beef Products - Revision 6

Export Requirements Update

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

• Dominican Republic
• Turks & Caicos Islands
• Uruguay
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Turkey
• Jamaica
• Canada
• North Macedonia
• European Union
• Taiwan
• Ukraine
• Myanmar
• Vietnam
• Honduras
• Japan
• Kazakhstan
• Kiribati
• Benin
• Singapore
• China
• Israel
• Argentina
• France
• Korea
• Dominica
• Hong Kong
• Barbados
• Cuba

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