FSIS Posts FY2020 Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigations Summary Report

A summary of outbreaks investigated during FY2020 is now available on the FSIS website. This outbreak report summarizes information about outbreaks investigated during FY2020, including the number of outbreaks, pathogens, products, illnesses, and how many outbreaks resulted in a product recall. The annual report also highlights lessons learned from outbreak after-action reviews.

FSIS, in collaboration with public health partners, investigates outbreaks of foodborne illness to determine if there is an association between FSIS-regulated products and human illnesses. FSIS and partners work to determine the specific products making people sick so they can be removed from commerce to prevent additional illnesses.

Click here to view the FY2020 report, and here to view previous annual reports, after-action review reports for specific outbreaks, and learn more about outcomes of FSIS outbreak investigations.

Reminder: NACMCF to Hold Virtual Public Meetings

The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will hold four virtual meetings starting November 17, 2021, to discuss two new charges: enhancing Salmonella control in poultry products and Cyclospora cayetanensis contamination.

The schedule for the NACMCF meetings is the following:

• November 17, 2021, 9:00 a.m. ET: Plenary meeting
• November 17, 2021, 1:00 p.m. ET: Subcommittee meetings to discuss the charges
• November 18, 2021, 1:00 p.m. ET: Subcommittee meetings to discuss the charges
• November 19, 2021, 10:00 a.m. ET: Full committee meeting

Attendees must pre-register by November 12, 2021, to receive a unique attendee ID, meeting links, dial-in numbers, and access codes. During pre-registration, attendees may also express interest in delivering comments during the meeting. Individuals will have an opportunity to provide oral comments during the plenary meeting public comment periods, limited to three minutes per speaker. FSIS will do its best to accommodate all registered persons who request to provide oral comments.

The agenda for the NACMCF meeting is available here. More information on the charges is available here.

Policy Update

FSIS notices and directives on public health and regulatory issues are available on the FSIS Policy webpage. The following policy updates were recently issued:

FSIS Notice 54-21 - Restoration of Forfeited Annual Leave

FSIS Notice 55-21 - Federal Benefits 2021 Open Season

Export Requirements Update

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

• Australia

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