FSIS Update on Chlorpyrifos Tolerances

An April 15, 2022 Constituent Update entry, titled Revocation of Chlorpyrifos Tolerances, explained that on October 1, 2022, FSIS will consider any detection of chlorpyrifos residue in domestic or imported meat, poultry or egg products produced on or after February 28, 2022, to be a residue violation. FSIS made this announcement because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published regulations revoking all tolerances for chlorpyrifos (effective February 28, 2022).

However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has vacated the EPA final rule that revoked all tolerances for the pesticide chemical chlorpyrifos. This ruling, effective December 28, 2023, reinstates all tolerances for chlorpyrifos residues, and EPA has issued a final rule stating that it is amending its regulations to reflect this new legal status.

Therefore, FSIS will observe the previous tolerances for the pesticide chlorpyrifos in meat, poultry, and egg products as part of its multi-residue testing. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also issued a Constituent Update withdrawing their guidance document for food producers and processors who handle foods that may contain residues of the pesticide chemical chlorpyrifos.

Questions regarding chlorpyrifos tolerances may be submitted through askFSIS. When submitting a question, complete the web form and select Residue Case Information as the Inquiry Type.

FSIS Posts FY 2023 Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigations Summary Report

A summary of outbreaks investigated during FY 2023 is now available on the FSIS website. This report summarizes outbreaks investigated by FSIS during FY 2023 and includes information on pathogens, implicated sources, illnesses, and lessons learned from outbreak investigation after-action reviews.

FSIS, in collaboration with public health partners, investigates outbreaks of foodborne illness to determine if there is an association between FSIS-regulated products and human illnesses. FSIS and partners work to determine the specific products making people sick so they can be removed from commerce to prevent additional illnesses.

To learn more about outbreaks investigated by FSIS, previous annual summary reports and resources can be found on the FSIS website.

NACMCF Committee Charter Renewed

On February 15, 2024, FSIS announced in the Federal Register its intention to renew the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) and its charter. The charter will expire two years from the effective filing date of February 21, 2024. 

NACMCF provides impartial scientific advice to federal food safety agencies, including FSIS, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Commerce's National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Department of Defense's Veterinary Services. NACMCF reports often serve as foundations for regulations and programs aimed at reducing foodborne disease and enhancing public health.

More information on NACMCF can be found on the FSIS website.

FSIS Posts FY 2023 Sampling Summary

FSIS has posted the FY 2023 Sampling Summary report, which includes results from the domestic microbiological and chemical sampling programs for raw and ready-to-eat (RTE) beef, pork, Siluriformes, and poultry products, as well as RTE egg products. The report also includes results from import residue and microbiological testing programs, whole genome sequencing information, National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) sampling, and data from other sampling programs and special projects.

The report reflects the agency’s implementation of the FY 2023 Annual Sampling Plan and complements the annual FSIS Sampling Catalog, as part of the agency’s continuing effort to enhance transparency and provide stakeholders with reliable and timely information.

Visit the FSIS website to view additional data, the FY 2024 Annual Sampling Plan, and learn more about the FSIS sampling program.

FSIS Publishes Metals Research Paper in Journal of Food Protection

FSIS has published a research paper titled "A survey of the levels of selected metals in U.S. meat, poultry and Siluriformes fish samples taken at slaughter and retail, 2017-2022” in the peer-reviewed Journal of Food Protection.

Under the National Residue Program (NRP), FSIS analyzes samples for 18 metallic elements. The article summarizes the detections of metals in samples taken at slaughter by FSIS personnel, as well as those collected at retail and analyzed by laboratories in the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN). The article shows that there are few trace detections for metals of public health concern such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic.

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 Directive 13000.7 - Public Health Information System Support

Export Requirements Update

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

• Colombia
• Mexico
• Cuba
• Japan
• Tunisia
• St. Lucia
• Azerbaijan
• Hong Kong
• Chile
• Turks & Caicos Islands
• Dominican Republic

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