Reminder: FSIS to Host September Webinars on Salmonella Framework Proposal

As announced in the August 16, 2024, Constituent Update, FSIS is hosting two webinars to share information about the science behind its Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products proposed rule and determination to reduce Salmonella illnesses linked to raw poultry products. The webinars will be held on September 9, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. E.T. and September 10, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. E.T. The webinars will address topics such as findings from the NACMCF Subcommittee Report on Enhancing Salmonella Control in Poultry Products; the Salmonella Risk Profile, and the Salmonella in Poultry Risk Assessments; Statistical Process Control and the FSIS Proposed Lower Capability Process Index Statistical Measurement Model; and the FSIS Poultry Exploratory Sampling Program Report. Different topics will be covered each day, and the entire webinars will be recorded.

FSIS invites interested stakeholders, including public health partners, industry representatives, consumer groups, and other members of the public, to join the webinars to learn more about the scientific support documents and related resources referenced in the proposed Salmonella framework. The proposal was published on August 7, 2024, in the Federal Register. Participants will have an opportunity to ask clarifying questions or technical questions about the information shared during the webinar. There will be no opportunity to give or submit formal public comment during the webinars.

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-2023-0028. Comments on this proposal must be received on or before November 7, 2024.

The webinars’ agenda is posted on the FSIS Events & Meetings page. To join the webinars, go to:

September 9

10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET: Scientific Support for FSIS’ Salmonella Framework Webinar - Part 1

Microsoft Teams

Join the meeting now

Dial in by phone

+12026500123, 638814788#

Phone conference ID: 638 814 788#

September 10

10 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ET: Scientific Support for FSIS’ Salmonella Framework Webinar - Part 2

Microsoft Teams

Join the meeting now

Dial in by phone

+1 202-650-0123, 943457901#

Phone conference ID: 943 457 901#

Reminder: FSIS to Onboard Mexico in PHIS Export Component

As announced in previous Constituent Updates, starting November 4, 2024, all FSIS meat and poultry product export certificates for products exported to Mexico will be generated, issued and officially maintained in FSIS’ Public Health Information System (PHIS). This change excludes certificates for casings and egg products. The Mexico PHIS Industry Test Environment (ITE) is currently available for testing.

All export certificates (FSIS Form 9060-5 series) generated through PHIS will be digitally signed by FSIS and will be printed on plain paper by industry personnel with PHIS access. These plain paper forms must include the PHIS-generated watermark. Any attestations for Mexico, as documented in the FSIS Export Library, will be captured in the FSIS Form 9060-5 remarks section or the FSIS Form 9060-5B (continuation sheet). The digitally signed FSIS Form 9060-5 series printed on plain paper, with a watermark, and available for validation in PHIS will replace all letterhead certificates for meat and poultry exported to Mexico. Beginning November 4, 2024, no wet-signed 9060-5 series export certificates, including letterhead certificates, will be issued for meat and poultry products for export to Mexico.

Industry is strongly encouraged to use the ITE to test application submittals for export to Mexico. Testing instructions for industry are available on the FSIS website, PHIS Components page, under Information for Industry. Please note that an electronic identification account with identity verification steps is required for all persons who will access PHIS, for both the test environment and the live production environment. User accounts are disabled for those who have not used PHIS in 60 days. For those new to the PHIS export component, please register with Login.gov to initiate, update, or complete the electronic identification account and the PHIS enrollment process. Instructions can be found in the PHIS Industry User Guide, section 2 (Overview of PHIS).

As noted in previous Constituent Updates, industry is strongly encouraged to ensure establishment information in PHIS is aligned with Mexico’s approved establishment list. Misaligned information risks held or rejected shipments upon Mexico’s implementation in PHIS. 

For further guidance on PHIS export and enrollment, please refer to the following user guides:

• PHIS Industry User Guide
• Editing 9060 Records Quick Reference Guide
• PHIS Quick Reference Guide for Corporate and Establishment Management

Please contact internationalcoordination@usda.gov with questions regarding these changes. Technical questions can be directed to PHISTechnicalQA@usda.gov.

Upcoming Events

• National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods Virtual Information Fair on Membership Opportunities: September 9, 2024, 2 PM-3 PM ET.
• Salmonella Framework Proposal Webinars: September 9, 10 AM-12:30 PM ET, and September 10, 2024, 10 AM-12 PM ET.
• 2024 National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection Meetings: September 16 and 17, 2024, 10 AM-4 PM ET.
• National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods Meetings: September 24, 10 AM-12 PM ET, and September 26, 2024, 4 PM-5 PM 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 September 16, 2024: National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection
• Until September 18, 2024: 2024 National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods Public Meeting
• Until September 20, 2024: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Petitions for Rulemaking
• Until November 7, 2024: Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry 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 35-24 - Leave Bank Program 2024 Open Enrollment Period for the 2025 Leave Year

FSIS Notice 34-24 - Restoration of Forfeited Annual Leave

FSIS Notice 33-24 - Special Provisions for Pay Period 25

FSIS Notice 32-24 - Fiscal Year 2025 Pay Periods and Official Payday Dates

FSIS Notice 31-24 - Time and Attendance Reporting Procedures for Pay Period 19 2024

FSIS Notice 30-24 - End of the Year Performance Management Instructions

FSIS Notice 29-24 - Eligibility Criteria and Procedures for Ordering FSIS Business Cards and Format of the Business Cards

Export Requirements Update

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

• Qatar
• India
• Philipines
• Canada
• Curacao
• Costa Rica
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Mexico
• Hong Kong
• Namibia

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