FSIS to Launch New PHIS Establishment Profile Page

On May 15, 2022, FSIS will launch an enhanced establishment profile page in the Public Health Information System (PHIS). This is the latest update to PHIS with the goal to make it a more improved and intuitive user interface. The only change to the establishment profile will be cosmetic, reflecting a streamlined look to enhance the user experience. All functions such as reporting, export management, and corporate management features will remain unchanged.   

FSIS user resource tools — PHIS Help and the PHIS industry user guide — have been updated to reflect these changes. Please email PHISTechnicalQA@usda.gov with any technical questions.  

Correction: FSIS to Expand Establishment-Specific Datasets

FSIS has made corrections to the article “FSIS to Expand Establishment-Specific Datasets” from the May 6, 2022, Constituent Update. The correct article appears below. FSIS is working to develop methods that will yield the appropriate allele codes with date stamps for Campylobacter. CDC is supportive of this effort and will continue to be informed as progress occurs but is not involved with the development of the methods.

FSIS is preparing to expand the establishment-specific datasets on laboratory sampling results to include the FSIS Number — a whole genome sequence (WGS) identifier assigned for pathogens — and allele codes with date stamps for Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli). FSIS intends to begin publishing these datasets in July 2022.

This action enhances data transparency and access to agency-generated information. For example, the FSIS number allows users to associate a particular FSIS sampling result to a particular WGS profile found on the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s publicly available database. Users should be aware that the data on tested product are not sufficient to determine an association with human illness. Further epidemiologic information is needed to determine if there is an association among the non-clinical isolates and human illnesses.

Prior to publishing the expanded datasets, FSIS is seeking comments on a sample dataset and data documentationThe sample dataset and data documentation are available for public comment until June 17, 2022.

To comment, visit Regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FSIS-2014-0032. Establishment-specific datasets were first released in 2016 as announced in the July 14, 2016, Federal Register. Additional details can be found in the FSIS Establishment-specific data release strategic plan. 

Additionally, FSIS is working to develop methods that will yield the appropriate allele codes with date stamps for Campylobacter. Once this effort has concluded, FSIS will expand the establishment-specific datasets on laboratory sampling to include these data and release a sample dataset and data documentation for public comment. More information will be shared in a future Constituent Update.  

Reminder: Upcoming NACMCF Subcommittee Meeting

The Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) Subcommittee on Cyclospora cayetanensis, will convene a virtual subcommittee meeting on May 24, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET to discuss its progress and plan for additional subcommittee meetings during 2022.

To attend the virtual meeting, please contact the NACMCF Secretariat at NACMCF@usda.gov or John Jarosh, NACMCF Designated Federal Officer at 202-690-6128, or by email at john.jarosh@usda.gov. 

The purpose of NACMCF is to provide impartial, scientific advice and peer reviews to federal food safety agencies for use in the development of an integrated national food safety systems approach that assures the safety of domestic, imported, and exported foods.

Export Requirements Update

• Costa Rica
• Korea
• Azerbaijan
• New Zealand
• Hong Kong
• Solomon Islands
• Barbados
• Belarus
• Vietnam
• Kazakhstan
• United Arab Emirates
• North Macedonia
• Jordan
• Myanmar
• Taiwan
• French Polynesia (Tahiti)
• Dominican Republic
• Ukraine
• Ecuador
• St. Lucia 
• Japan
• Morocco
• Egypt
• Mauritius
• Namibia
• Benin
• China
• Mexico
• Turks & Caicos Islands
• Uruguay
• Singapore
• Western Samoa (Samoa)
• South Africa
• Kiribati
• Jamaica
• Nicaragua
• Honduras
• Cuba
• Guatemala
• Canada
• India
• United Kingdom 
• European Union

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