
Constituent Update - May 12, 2023
FSIS Extends Comment Period on Proposed Determination: Salmonella in Not-Ready-To-Eat Breaded Stuffed Chicken Products
FSIS is extending the comment period on the proposed determination titled Salmonella in Not-Ready-To-Eat Breaded Stuffed Chicken Products. Published on April 28, 2023, the deadline for comments was originally June 27, 2023. The proposed determination will be open for comments for an additional 30 days until July 27, 2023.
As announced in the April 25, 2023, Constituent Update, FSIS published a proposed determination to declare Salmonella an adulterant in breaded stuffed raw chicken products when they exceed a very low level of Salmonella contamination.
FSIS is extending the comment period in response to requests from industry associations for additional time to determine and formulate comments on the impact of the proposal.
Comments may be submitted online via the federal eRulemaking portal, available at www.regulations.gov; by mail sent to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Washington, DC 20250-3700, or by hand or courier delivery to 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 350-E, Washington, DC 20250-3700. All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the agency name and docket number FSIS-2022-0013.
FSIS Adds 3rd Webinar on Guideline
In the May 5, 2023 Constituent Update, FSIS announced the availability of a guidance document for manufacturing ready-to-eat (RTE), shelf-stable, fermented, salt-cured, and dried meat and poultry products that do not use cooking as the primary lethality step. The agency also announced two upcoming webinars on the guideline and will now hold a third webinar.
In addition to the previously announced webinars scheduled for May 15 and 17, the agency will host a third webinar on May 22, 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. ET to provide an overview of the guidance and an opportunity for participants to ask questions.
The webinar access information is available on the event pages linked above and in the “Upcoming Events” section of this Constituent Update. Registration is not required. Recordings of all three webinars, along with presentation slides, will be posted on the FSIS website for those unable to attend.
FSIS seeks public comment on the guideline until July 5, 2023, as part of its efforts to continuously assess and improve the effectiveness of policy documents. FSIS encourages establishments that produce these products to review the guideline. While the guidance document reflects the agency’s current recommendations, the agency may consider changes in response to comments.
FSIS to Post Updated Datasets on Import Refusals
On May 15, 2023, 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, 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 country of origin, 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.
Upcoming Events
- May 15, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. ET: Webinar on Ready-to-Eat Fermented, Salt-Cured, and Dried Products Guideline
- May 16-18: 2023 NACMCF Public Meeting
- May 17, 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. ET: Webinar on Ready-to-Eat Fermented, Salt-Cured, and Dried Products Guideline (encore)
- May 22, 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. ET: Webinar on Ready-to-Eat Fermented, Salt-Cured, and Dried Products Guideline (encore 2)
- June 21-22, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. ET: 2023 NACMPI Public Meeting
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 May 8: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Procedures for the Notification of New Technology and Requests for Waivers
- Until June 11: Voluntary Labeling of FSIS-Regulated Products with U.S.-Origin Claims
- Until June 12: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Laboratory Assessment Requests
- Until June 13: Notice of Request To Revise an Approved Information Collection: State Meat and Poultry Inspection Programs
- Until June 13: Notice of Request for Revision of an Approved Information Collection: Public Health Information System
- Until June 23: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection
- Until July 5: Availability of FSIS Ready-To-Eat Fermented, Salt-Cured, and Dried Products Guideline
- Until July 27: Salmonella in Not-Ready-To-Eat Breaded Stuffed Chicken Products
Export Requirements Update
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated for products for the following:
- Canada
- Tunisia
- Mexico
- Egypt
- Singapore
- Korea
- Philippines
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Namibia
- Benin
- Colombia
- North Macedonia
- New Zealand
- European Union
Complete information can be found at the FSIS Import & Export Library.