FSIS Releases Updated Guideline for Residue Prevention

FSIS has revised its FSIS Guideline for Residue Prevention, which is intended to help establishments meet agency requirements regarding violative residue prevention. FSIS updated the guideline in response to frequent askFSIS questions and to improve its readability. The agency also revised the guideline to provide updates based on up-to-date science, incorporate new information on purchase specifications and documentation that can be used to support that violative residues are not reasonably likely to occur and provide guidance for establishments that perform residue testing. Additionally, FSIS updated the guideline to clarify how residues influence New Swine Slaughter Inspection System sorting procedures and the agency’s Kidney Inhibition Swab (KISTM) testing procedures.  

FSIS issued FSIS Notice 21-24 to instruct Inspection Program Personnel to notify establishment management of this updated resource.

FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this guideline by August 26, 2024. Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides the ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on the web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Follow the online instructions at that site for submitting comments.
• Mail: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Mailstop 3758, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
• Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 350-E, Washington, DC 20250-3700. Instructions:

All comments must include the agency name and docket number FSIS 2022-0032. For more information, please view the Federal Register notice.

FSIS Updates Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli Rapid Screening Protocol

FSIS evaluated commercially available pathogen screening technologies and will adopt a new rapid screening test for adulterant Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Specifically, FSIS will use the bioMérieux GENE-UP® Pathogenic E. coli (PEC) platform to screen enriched samples received on or after September 16, 2024, for adulterant STEC. This screening method adds efficiency by employing a novel molecular diagnostic target to rapidly identify samples containing STEC. FSIS expects that adoption of this new screening method will reduce the number of potential- and presumptive-positive STEC results that do not confirm positive with our current method. FSIS expects that industry will see reduced product holding times while waiting for laboratory results. Specific revisions to the FSIS Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook (MLG) Chapter 5C will be communicated in a future Constituent Update.

FSIS routinely reviews and evaluates suitable methods to modernize its foodborne pathogen detection approach. Please visit the FSIS website for a list of validated test kits that can be used to meet regulatory requirements for pathogen testing.

Star-Spangled Grilling and Smoking Food Safety Practices Everyone Needs to Know

On July Fourth, the aroma of barbecue will fill the air as the festivities bring together family and friends to celebrate with quintessential American cooking pastimes: grilling and smoking food.

FSIS has grilling and smoking food safety tips to keep in mind during your celebratory cookout:

• Thaw meat or poultry before grilling or smoking.
• Marinate in the refrigerator and not at room temperature.
• Keep raw meat and poultry separate from other foods to avoid cross-contamination.
• Keep the smoker, or grill being used to smoke, at a safe temperature between 225 and 300 F throughout the cooking process.
• Cook meats to a safe internal temperature as measured by a food thermometer.
  • Beef, pork, lamb and veal steaks, chops, and roasts: 145 F with a three-minute rest time
  • Ground beef, pork, lamb and veal: 160 F
  • All poultry (whole or ground): 165 F
  • Fish: 145 F

For more Fourth of July food safety tips, read our press release, follow FSIS on X in English or Spanish, and follow USDA on Instagram and Facebook.

Please call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline with any questions at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), email MPHotline@usda.gov, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

Upcoming Events

• Using Whole Genome Sequencing to Support FSIS Food Safety and Public Health Mission: July 8, 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET.

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 20, 2024: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigation Survey for FSIS Public Health Partners
• Until August 26, 2024: Availability of Guidance for Residue Prevention

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 21-24 - Availability of Updated FSIS Guideline for Residue Prevention

FSIS Notice 22-24 - Export Module of the Public Health Information System - China

FSIS Notice 23-24 - Discontinuation of Cecal Sampling of Lamb and Sheep for the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System

Export Requirements Update

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

• Colombia
• Curacao
• European Union
• Azerbaijan
• Mauritius
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• North Macedonia
• Hong Kong
• Ecuador
• Costa Rica
• El Salvador
• Mexico
• Ukraine
• Kuwait
• Japan
• Singapore
• Korea
• Philippines
• China
• French Polynesia (Tahiti)

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