FSIS Posts Individual Category Status and Aggregate Results for Poultry Carcasses, Chicken Parts, and Comminuted Poultry Tested for Salmonella

On November 20, 2023, FSIS updated the individual establishment Salmonella performance standard category information for raw poultry carcasses, raw chicken parts, and comminuted poultry products on the Salmonella Verification Testing Program Monthly Posting webpage on the FSIS website. Additionally, FSIS posted the aggregate sampling results showing the number of establishments in categories 1, 2, or 3 for establishments producing young poultry carcasses, raw chicken parts, or not ready-to-eat (NRTE) comminuted poultry products at the location linked above.

Paraguay’s Eligibility to Export Raw Beef Products to the United States

On November 9, 2023, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a final rule to allow the importation of fresh beef from Paraguay under certain conditions. The final rule will enable raw intact beef products produced from cattle slaughtered in certified Paraguayan establishments on or after the final rule’s effective date of December 14, 2023 (30 days after publication), to be eligible for export to the United States.

Tips for Faster Label Approval

Labels are currently taking about 2-5 business days to evaluate. 

TIP: The label signature line may state the name of a distributor if preceded by a qualifying statement, such as “distributed by.”

All labels must include a signature line identifying the name or trade name of the manufacturer or packer (establishment) that prepared the product for compliance with 9 CFR 317.2(g) and 381.122. The signature line is a mandatory labeling feature, and labels without this feature may be considered misbranded. The signature line can appear on the principal display panel (PDP), on the 20% panel adjacent to the PDP in the case of a cylindrical or nearly cylindrical container, on the front riser panel of frozen food cartons, or on the information panel. In addition to the name of the manufacturer or packer, the signature line must show the city, state and zip code of the place of business. If the company is not listed in a telephone or city directory, the street address should also be included in the signature line.

In place of the manufacturer or packer, the name and address of the distributor may appear in the signature line. When the name of the distributor is used, the signature line must be preceded by a qualifying statement such as “prepared for,” or “distributed by.” Alternatively, the signature lines for both the manufacturer or packer and the distributor may appear on the label provided that the name of the distributor includes a qualifying statement.

Reminder: FSIS Encourages Industry to Prepare for CY 2024 Mexico PHIS Onboarding

FSIS is planning to onboard Mexico in the Public Health Information System (PHIS) export component in calendar year (CY) 2024, at a date to be determined. To prepare for Mexico’s implementation in PHIS, FSIS is strongly encouraging industry to ensure that all establishment information in Mexico’s approved establishment list, as documented in the export library, is identical to establishment information in PHIS and establishments’ grants of inspection.

PHIS Q&A

Access: How do I get help when I can’t log into PHIS or I get an error message?

Answer: Please contact the FSIS Customer Assistance Branch by calling 1 (800) 473-9135 or emailing FSISITCustomerAssistance@usda.gov.

Visit PHIS Help for Industry for additional resources.

Knowledge Article

askFSIS Public Q&A: What Does the Labeling and Program Delivery Staff (LPDS) Charge for Label Approval?

LPDS does not charge for label approval. It is one of the services provided by FSIS with funds appropriated by Congress.

Questions? Please submit them through askFSIS by filling out the web form on the FSIS website.

Visit AskUSDA.gov and include “askFSIS” in your search terms for more knowledge articles on this and other topics.