NACMCF to Hold Virtual Public Meeting

The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will hold a virtual public meeting on June 24, 2024, to provide an update on the FSIS Genomics charge and the FDA Cronobacter spp. in Powdered Infant Formula charge. Additional information on the NACMCF charges can be found on the FSIS website.

Attendance is free but pre-registration by Wednesday, June 19, 2024, is required. Details on how to access the meeting will be provided upon registration. An American Sign Language interpreter will be present during the meeting and attendees will also have the option to turn on closed captions.

FSIS requests that those interested in providing oral public comments on the charges at the meeting should indicate so when registering. Oral comments will be limited to three minutes per speaker. FSIS will strive to accommodate all registered persons who request to provide oral comments. The Federal Register notice provides additional meeting details and directions for providing written comments. FSIS will finalize an agenda before the meeting date and post it on the FSIS events webpage.

FSIS Releases Revised Guideline to Assist with the Donation of Eligible Meat, Poultry and Egg Products to Non-Profit Organizations

FSIS has updated the guideline titled, “FSIS Guideline to Assist with the Donation of Eligible Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products to Non-Profit Organizations,” in response to comments from the previous version and to improve readability. This guideline provides information for meat, poultry, and egg product establishments that are interested in donating products to non-profit organizations.

For more information, please view the Federal Register notice.

Serve Summer Safe with Food Safety Tips from USDA

Memorial Day weekend is the official kickoff for summer, and as the weather heats up, so do the number of meals that will be served outside! Whether you’re eating with friends at the pool or family in a backyard cookout, follow these tips to serve food safely and avoid foodborne illness:

• Wash Hands: If running water is available, wet hands, lather with soap, scrub for 20 seconds, rinse and dry. If no running water is available, use hand sanitizer or moist towelettes that contain at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Pack Perishables Safely: Keep food at a safe cold temperature below 40 F. Cold source options include ice, frozen gel packs, and frozen beverages (that do not require refrigeration for safety) such as water bottles, iced tea, and juices like apple and grape.
• Keep Out of the Danger Zone: The “Danger Zone” is the temperature range where bacteria multiply rapidly between 40 and 140 F. Perishable foods, including meat and poultry, sliced fruits and vegetables, and cooked side dishes, should avoid the “Danger Zone” or be kept hot above 140 F or cold below 40 F to maintain food safety.
• Follow the 2-Hour Rule: Foods that were kept hot or cold out of the Danger Zone or did not sit out for more than two hours (one hour if over 90 F) are safe to keep. Any other items would be considered unsafe and need to be discarded. When in doubt, throw it out!

For more Memorial Day and summer food safety tips, check out 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.

Upcoming Events

• June 2024 Public Meeting: National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods: June 24, 1:00-3:00 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 May 31, 2024: Availability of Revised Guideline for Controlling Retained Water in Raw Meat and Poultry
• Until June 3, 2024: Notice of Request to Renew an Approved Information Collection: Voluntary Recalls of Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products
• Until June 17, 2024: Notice of Request to Renew an Approved Information Collection: Animal Disposition Reporting
• Until June 17, 2024: Notice of Request to Renew an Approved Information Collection: Consumer Complaint Monitoring System
• Until June 19, 2024: National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods: Public Meeting
• Until June 24, 2024: Notice of Request to Renew an Approved Information Collection: Requirements to Notify FSIS of Adulterated or Misbranded Product, Prepare and Maintain Written Recall Procedures, and Document Certain HACCP Plan Reassessments

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 18-24 - Fiscal Year 2024 - Student Loan Repayment Program for In-Plant Veterinary Medical Officers - Application Timeframe

FSIS Notice 19-24 - Availability of Updated FSIS Guideline to Assist with the Donation of Eligible Meat, Poultry and Egg Products to Non-Profit Organizations

FSIS Directive 1045.1 - Agency Program Evaluations - Revision 1

Export Requirements Update

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

• Costa Rica
• Western Samoa (Samoa)
• New Caledonia
• Vietnam
• Korea
• North Macedonia
• Curacao
• European Union
• Jordan
• Kazakhstan
• Cabo Verde
• Vanuatu
• Tunisia
• Somalia
• Nauru
• Belize
• Eswatini
• Yemen
• South Sudan
• Niger
• Mali
• Zambia
• Tuvalu
• Rwanda
• Zimbabwe
• Mongolia
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• Marshall Islands
• Barbados
• Ecuador
• Guatemala
• El Salvador
• India
• Honduras
• Canada
• Colombia

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