
Constituent Update - March 15, 2024
FSIS Extends Modified Poultry Line Speed Waivers
In July 2022, FSIS announced it was contracting with a team of third-party worker safety experts to conduct a study with select poultry establishments to measure the impact of increased line speeds on worker safety. Poultry establishments with existing line speed waivers that opted into the study and agreed to provide worker safety information were eligible to apply for a modified line speed waiver as part of the study.
On March 31, 2023, FSIS granted modified line speed waivers to select poultry establishments. The modified line speed waivers were originally set to conclude on March 31, 2024, a year from the date they were granted.
FSIS is extending the modified line speed waivers through November 15, 2024. This extension will allow the worker safety experts to complete establishment visits, analyze data, and produce a report of their findings.
FSIS will also use the time during the extension to consider next steps regarding line speeds in poultry establishments, which could include a decision to pursue rulemaking.
USDA Finalizes New Requirements for the Voluntary “Product of USA” Labeling Claim
On March 11, 2024, FSIS announced a final rule with new regulatory requirements to better align the voluntary “Product of USA” claim with consumers’ understanding of what the claim means. The final rule allows the voluntary “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” claim to be used only on FSIS-regulated products that are derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States. The final rule also responds to comments received on the March 2023 proposal.
Establishments voluntarily using a claim subject to the final rule will need to comply with the new regulatory requirements by January 1, 2026, and are encouraged to do so as soon as practicable after the publication of this final rule. For more information, view the March 11, 2024, Special Alert Constituent Update.
Don’t Let Bacteria Near Your Easter, Eid, or Passover Dishes this Holiday Season!
It’s a special time of year, where Americans from coast to coast will gather for a rare occurrence: the three major holidays of Easter, Eid/Ramadan, and Passover all falling within the spring season. Whether you’re celebrating your Easter dinner with ham, Eid lunch with lamb, or Seder meal with brisket, remember to keep food safety at the forefront.
These holiday meals often have cultural significance and, unlike other food holidays, may require foods to be prepared early so that religious obligations are completed prior to gathering and enjoying the meals. This provides an extended opportunity for foodborne illness to ruin major holiday dishes. FSIS wants to keep your celebrations going with some tips on preventing foodborne illness.
Please call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline with any questions at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), email MPHotline@usda.gov, or chat with a food safety specialist live at ask.usda.gov from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
FSIS to Post Individual Category Status and Aggregate Results for Poultry Carcasses, Chicken Parts, and Comminuted Poultry Tested for Salmonella
On March 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 to Post Updated Datasets on Import Refusals
On March 15, 2024, 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.
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 08-24 - Annual Notice to High-Mileage Drivers - Fiscal Year 2025
Export Requirements Update
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated for products for the following:
- Chile
- Colombia
- Mexico
- Cuba
- New Zealand
- Ukraine
- Hong Kong
- Western Samoa (Samoa)
- Singapore
- China
- Taiwan
- French Polynesia (Tahiti)
- Canada
Complete information can be found at the FSIS Import & Export Library.