FSIS Posts Report on Clostridium perfringens Market Basket Study Results

On August 16, 2023, FSIS posted the Clostridium Perfringens Market Basket Study on the FSIS website. In May of 2021, FSIS commissioned the study through the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) laboratories, to assess the levels of Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) in certain federally inspected ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products sold at retail locations. The purpose of the study was to determine the potential risk to consumers from large mass non-intact products such as injected turkey breast or roast beef.

FSIS Publishes Final Rule to Rescind Avian Leukosis Regulation

Beginning September 18, 2023, FSIS will no longer require the condemnation of poultry carcasses affected with one or more forms of the avian leukosis complex. FSIS finalized the 2022 proposed rule, with no additional changes, to treat avian leukosis as a trimmable condition. The final rule may be found in the Federal Register, containing more information and a summary of comments and FSIS responses.

Updates to Raw Poultry Laboratory Sampling Establishment-Specific Dataset

FSIS is combining the Exploratory and Special Program Poultry Sampling, Raw Chicken Carcasses Sampling, Raw Chicken Parts Sampling, Raw Comminuted Chicken Sampling, Raw Comminuted Turkey Sampling, Raw Turkey Carcasses Sampling, and Raw Poultry Follow-Up Sampling datasets into a single Raw Poultry Laboratory Sampling Establishment-Specific Dataset.

Prior to publishing the dataset, FSIS is seeking comments on a sample dataset and data documentation until September 29, 2023. 

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

On August 21, 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 page 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.

FSIS Posts FY 2024 Public Health Regulations

FSIS posted the fiscal year (FY) 2024 Public Health Regulations (PHR) report. This report covers how FSIS determines PHRs and their thresholds.

FSIS updates its PHRs annually, and uses decision criteria described in Directive 5100.4 to prioritize establishments for Public Health Risk Evaluations (PHREs), including PHR noncompliance. FSIS has analyzed current data and developed the FY 2024 list of PHRs, including the thresholds used to prioritize establishments for PHREs and to alert inspection personnel of elevated PHR noncompliance levels.

PHIS Q&A

Issue: I need access to PHIS in order to access Exports.

Response: The USDA Inspector or Public Health Veterinarian needs to add the user to the establishment contact page with the role Establishment Administrator.

1.       Go to Establishment Profile and select the Establishment.

2.       Open the Contacts page.

3.       Add a new Contact and identify the role as Establishment Administrator.

4.       Enter the user information the same as entered for the eAuth account.

5.       Save the change.

When the industry user opens the enrollment page the establishment administrator role is automatically activated if the entered contact information matches the eAuth information.

1.       Open the page https://phis.fsis.usda.gov/enrollment.

2.       Select the Open FSIS Dashboard to access PHIS. The page redirects to the PHIS home page.

If the “Open FSIS Dashboard” link is not available, this usually indicates that information in the contact page isn’t correct. Please check that there are no typos in the name or a nickname was entered. The email address should not contain upper case (eAuth always uses lower case).

Visit PHIS Help for Industry for additional resources.

Knowledge Article

askFSIS Public Q&A: What are pre-shipment review records?

What is the difference between the pre-shipment review required by 9 CFR 417.5(c) and the review of HACCP records required by 9 CFR 417.4(a)(2)(iii)?

Preshipment review, as described in 9 CFR 417.5(c), involves a review of records associated with a specific production of product or establishment designated lots before it is shipped into commerce. The review includes a check of any records associated with the HACCP system, including prerequisite programs, that are tied to the specific production lot that is being shipped. Preshipment review ensures that all applicable prerequisite programs have been implemented, that all critical limits at all CCPs have been met, and that any required corrective actions have been taken.

Conversely, an establishment's review of its HACCP records required by 9 CFR 417.4(a)(2)(iii) is an on-going review of records not specifically tied to a production lot. The review under 9 CFR 417.4(a)(2)(iii) provides a snapshot of the broader operation. This ongoing record verification is used by the establishment to ensure that the HACCP records are being completed as designed in their HACCP plan [9 CFR 417.2(c)(6)] and to ensure that the records demonstrate compliance with 9 CFR 417.5(a)(3) requirements. Finally, it is used to ensure that the plant's HACCP system is operating appropriately and is under control.

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