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  • Food Safety
    • Recalls & Public Health Alerts
      • Report a Problem with Food
        • Additional Recalls
      • Annual Recall Summaries
        • Summary of Recall and PHA Cases in Calendar Year 2023
        • Summary of Recall and PHA Cases in Calendar Year 2022
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2021
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2020
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2019
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2018
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2017
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2016
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2015
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2014
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2013
        • Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2012
    • Food Safety Stats
      • Consumer Research
    • Foodborne Illness and Disease
      • Enfermedades Transmitidas Por Alimentos y Otras Enfermedades
      • Illnesses and Pathogens
        • Botulism
          • Clostridium botulinum y El Botulismo
        • Campylobacter
          • Campylobacter En Español
        • E. coli
        • Listeria
        • Parasites and Foodborne Illness
          • Parásitos y Enfermedades Transmitidas Por los Alimentos
        • Preguntas y Respuestas Sobre Listeria
        • Salmonella
          • Preguntas y Respuestas Sobre Salmonella
      • Resources for Public Health Partners
        • State Departments of Public Health
      • Outbreaks
        • Outbreak Investigations: Prevention
        • Outbreak Investigations: Response
    • Safe Food Handling and Preparation
      • Food Safety Basics
        • Additives in Meat and Poultry Products
        • Aditivos en Productos Cárnicos y Avícolas
        • Agua en Carnes y Aves
        • Ahumar Carnes y Aves
        • Air Fryers and Food Safety
        • Alergias Alimentarias: Los “9 Grandes”
        • Appliance Thermometers
        • Asar a la parrilla y seguridad alimentaria
        • Cleanliness Helps Prevent Foodborne Illness
        • Cocción Versus Seguridad
        • Cocinar en Hornos Microondas
        • Cooking for Groups
        • Cooking with Microwave Ovens
        • Cutting Boards
        • Cómo Encontrar el Número de Establecimiento del USDA (EST) en el Empaque de Alimentos
        • Cómo las Temperaturas Afectan a los Alimentos
        • Danger Zone 40F - 140F
        • Deep Fat Frying
        • Doneness Versus Safety
        • El Color de la Carne y Las Aves
        • El Gran Deshielo: Métodos Seguros para Descongelar
        • El Manejo Adecuado de los Alimentos Pedidos Por Correo
        • Entendiendo las Retiradas de Alimentos del Mercado del FSIS
        • Fechas en Productos Alimenticios
        • Food Allergies: The “Big 9”
        • Food Thermometers
        • Freidoras de Aire y Seguridad Alimentaria
        • Freír en Grasa y Seguridad Alimentaria
        • Glosario de Términos de Empaque
        • Glossary of Packaging Terms
        • Grilling Food Safely
        • Grilling and Food Safety
        • Guía del Consumidor Sobre Inocuidad Alimentaria: Tormentas y Huracanes Severos
        • High Altitude Cooking
        • Hongos en los Alimentos: ¿Son Peligrosos?
        • How Temperatures Affect Food
        • How to Find the USDA Establishment Number
        • Importación de Productos Cárnicos, Avícolas y Ovoproductos a Estados Unidos
        • Importing Meat, Poultry & Egg Products US
        • Irradiation and Food Safety FAQ
        • Keeping "Bag" Lunches Safe
        • Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency
        • La Cocción En Elevaciones Altas
        • La Congelación Y Seguridad Alimentaria
        • La Limpieza Ayuda a Prevenir Enfermedades Transmitidas Por Los Alimentos
        • Las Ollas de Cocción Lenta y la Seguridad Alimentaria
        • Las Sobras de Comida e Inocuidad Alimentaria
        • Lavado de Alimentos: ¿Promueve la Inocuidad Alimentaria?
        • Mail Order Food Safety
        • Manipulación Adecuada de Alimentos Para Llevar
        • Mantenga los Alimentos Seguros - Conceptos Básicos de Inocuidad Alimentaria
        • Manteniendo Seguros Los Almuerzos En "Bolsas"
        • Materiales de Empaque para Carnes y Aves
        • Meat and Poultry Labeling Terms
        • Meat and Poultry Packaging Materials
        • Molds on Food: Are They Dangerous?
        • Natural Flavors on Meat and Poultry Labels
        • Preguntas Frecuentes Sobre Irradiación y Seguridad Alimentaria
        • Preguntas y Respuestas Sobre la Seguridad Alimentaria Durante un Tailgate
        • Sabores Naturales de Carnes y Aves en las Etiquetas
        • Safe Handling of Take-Out Foods
        • Seguridad Alimentaria Durante Caminatas, Campamentos y Paseos en Bote
        • Seguridad Alimentaria de Comida No Perecedera
        • Slow Cookers and Food Safety
        • Smoking Meat and Poultry
        • Tabla de Temperatura Interna Mínima Segura
        • Tablas de Cortar
        • Tailgating Food Safety Q & A
        • Termómetros para Alimentos
        • Termómetros para Electrodomésticos
        • Términos de Etiquetado de Carnes y Aves
        • Understanding FSIS Food Recalls
        • Voluntarios Sobre la Seguridad Alimentaria
        • Water in Meat & Poultry
        • Zona de Peligro (40 F - 140 F)
        • Food Product Dating
        • Freezing and Food Safety
        • Leftovers and Food Safety
        • Refrigeration
          • La Refrigeración y Seguridad Alimentaria
        • Safe Temperature Chart
        • Shelf-Stable Food
        • The Big Thaw — Safe Defrosting Methods
        • The Color of Meat and Poultry
        • Washing Food: Does it Promote Food Safety?
        • Food Safety While Hiking, Camping & Boating
      • Meat & Catfish
        • Bacon and Food Safety
        • Bagre de la Granja a la Mesa
        • Beef From Farm To Table
        • Bison from Farm to Table
        • Bisonte de la Granja a la Mesa
        • Cabra de la Granja a la Mesa
        • Carne Seca y Seguridad Alimentaria
        • Carne de Cerdo Fresca de la Granja a la Mesa
        • Carne de Res de la Granja a la Mesa
        • Carne de Ternera de la Granja a la Mesa
        • Carne de res ablandada mecánicamente
        • Carne en Conserva y Seguridad Alimentaria
        • Catfish from Farm to Table
        • Color de la Carne Molida Cocida en Relación Con El Grado De Cocción
        • Color of Cooked Ground Beef as It Relates to Doneness
        • Conejo de la Granja a la Mesa
        • Cordero de la Granja a la Mesa
        • Corned Beef
        • Cuando se Asan “Otras” Carnes para las Fiestas
        • Door-to-Door Meat Sales
        • El Jamón y la Seguridad Alimentaria
        • El Tocino y la Seguridad Alimentaria
        • Fresh Pork from Farm to Table
        • Goat from Farm to Table
        • Ground Beef and Food Safety
        • Hams and Food Safety
        • Hot Dogs & Food Safety
        • Jerky
        • La Carne Molida y la Seguridad Alimentaria
        • Lamb From Farm to Table
        • Las Salchichas “hot dogs” y la Seguridad Alimentaria
        • Los Embutidos y Seguridad Alimentaria
        • Mechanically Tenderized Beef
        • Rabbit From Farm to Table
        • Roasting Those "Other" Holiday Meats
        • Sausages and Food Safety
        • Veal from Farm to Table
        • Venta de Carne a Domicilio
        • Yersiniosis and Chitterlings Tips
        • Yersiniosis y los Chinchulines (Tripas): Consejos Para Protegerlo de Enfermedades Transmitidas Por Alimentos
      • Poultry
        • Happy Thanksgiving!
        • Amarras para las Aves y Otros Accesorios
        • Aves: Baños en Solución, Salmueras y Marinadas
        • Chicken From Farm to Table
        • Chicken Liver
        • Duck and Goose from Farm to Table
        • El Relleno y Seguridad Alimentaria
        • Hablemos Sobre el Pavo: Una Guía Para el Consumidor Sobre Cómo Asar un Pavo de Forma Segura
        • Hock Locks and Other Accoutrements
        • Is Pink Turkey Meat Safe?
        • La Etiqueta del Ave Dice “Fresco”
        • La Preparación de Turduckens Requiere un Manejo Adecuado
        • Let's Talk Turkey Roasting
        • Pato y Ganso de la Granja a la Mesa
        • Pavo de la Granja a la Mesa
        • Pavo: Rutas Alternativas Hacia la Mesa
        • Pollo de la Granja a la Mesa
        • Poultry Processing: Questions & Answers
        • Poultry: Basting, Brining, and Marinating
        • Preparación Básica del Pavo: Cocinar De Forma Adecuada
        • Preparación Básica del Pavo: Como Descongelar Seguramente
        • Preparación Básica del Pavo: El Relleno
        • Preparación Básica del Pavo: Manejo de las Comidas Cocidas
        • Procesamiento de Aves: Preguntas y Respuestas
        • Stuffing and Food Safety
        • The Poultry Label Says "Fresh"
        • Turduckens Require Safe Food Handling
        • Turkey Basics: Handling Cooked Dinners
        • Turkey Basics: Safe Cooking
        • Turkey Basics: Safe Thawing
        • Turkey Basics: Stuffing
        • Turkey from Farm to Table
        • Turkey: Alternate Routes to the Table
        • ¿Es Segura la Carne de Pavo Rosada?
      • Eggs
        • Egg Products and Food Safety
        • Huevos en Cascarón De la Granja a la Mesa
        • Ovoproductos e Inocuidad Alimentaria
        • Shell Eggs from Farm to Table
      • Emergencies
        • A Consumer's Guide to Food Safety: Severe Storms and Hurricanes
        • Eliminando Olores de Refrigeradores y Congeladores
        • Fires and Food Safety
        • Incendios y Seguridad Alimentaria
        • Keep Your Food Safe During Emergencies
        • Removing Odors from Refrigerators and Freezers
      • USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
      • Brochures & Publications
    • Food Defense and Emergency Response
      • Emergency Response
      • Continuity of Operations (COOP)
      • Food Defense
        • Risk Mitigation Tool
        • Food Defense Considerations for Transportation of FSIS-Regulated Products
        • Food Defense Tools, Resources and Training
        • Functional Food Defense Plans
        • International Food Defense
  • Science & Data
    • Research Priorities
      • FSIS/ORISE Food Safety Fellowship Program
        • Aaron Dudley
        • Lauren Lee
        • Sharon Nieves-Miranda
        • Yesutor Soku
        • Ali Strickland
    • Data Sets & Visualizations
      • Microbiology
        • Baseline Microbiology Data Reports
        • Microbiological Testing Program for RTE Meat and Poultry Products
          • Tables & Results Microbiological Testing Program for RTE Meat
          • Tables & Results: Microbiological Testing Program Pasteurized Egg Products
          • Aggregate Salmonella Categorization of Raw Chicken Parts, NRTE Comminuted Poultry, Young Chicken Carcass and Young Turkey Carcass Establishments Using Moving Windows
          • Salmonella Initiative Program Criteria
            • Quarterly Sampling Reports on Antimicrobial Resistance
            • Quarterly Sampling Reports on Raw Beef Products
            • Quarterly Sampling Reports on Ready-to-eat Products and Egg Products
            • Quarterly Sampling Reports on Salmonella
            • Salmonella Action Plan: A One and Two Year Update
        • Microbiological Testing Program for Escherichia coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)
          • Year-to-Date Totals: Testing of Raw Ground Beef Component (RGBC) Samples for E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC)
          • Annual Report for STEC in Raw Ground Beef or Veal and Raw Ground Beef or Veal Components
          • Individual E. coli Positive Results for Raw Ground Beef (RGB) and RGB Components 2017
          • Individual E. coli Positive Results for Raw Ground Beef (RGB) and RGB Components 2018
          • Individual E. coli Positive Results for Raw Ground Beef (RGB) and RGB Components 2016
          • Individual E. coli Positive Results for Raw Ground Beef (RGB) and RGB Components 2015
          • Year-to-Date 2018 Totals: Results of Raw Ground Beef Component (RGBC) Samples for E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC):
        • Salmonella Verification Testing Program Monthly Posting
      • Chemical Residues and Contaminants
      • Humane Handling Data
      • Laboratory Sampling Data
        • Egg Product Testing, Years 1995-2017
      • Inspection Task Data
    • Developer Resources
      • Recall API
    • Scientific Reports
      • Public Health Regulations (PHR)
        • FSIS Data Analysis and Reporting: Public Health Regulations FY 2025
        • FSIS Data Analysis and Reporting: Public Health Regulations FY 2024
        • FSIS Data Analysis and Reporting: Public Health Regulations FY 2023
        • FSIS Data Analysis and Reporting: Public Health Regulations FY 2022
        • FSIS Data Analysis and Reporting: Public Health Regulations FY 2021
        • FSIS Data Analysis and Reporting: Public Health Regulations FY 2020
        • FSIS Data Analysis and Reporting: Public Health Regulations FY 2019
        • FSIS Data Analysis and Reporting: Public Health Regulations FY 2018
        • FSIS Data Analysis and Reporting: Public Health Regulations FY 2017
        • FSIS Data Analysis and Reporting: Public Health Regulations FY 2016
      • Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC)
    • Laboratories & Procedures
      • Accredited Laboratory Program
        • Key Facts: ISO Accreditation
      • FSIS Laboratories
        • Requesting Bacterial Isolates from FSIS
    • Risk Assessments
    • Sampling Program
      • Raw Pork Products Exploratory Sampling Program
      • Sampling Results for FSIS Regulated Products
    • National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS)
    • Journal Publications
  • Policy
    • Food Safety Acts
      • Federal Meat Inspection Act
      • Poultry Products Inspection Act
      • Egg Products Inspection Act
      • Humane Methods of Slaughter Act
    • FSIS Guidelines
    • Directives & Notices
      • FSIS Notices
      • FSIS Directives
    • Petitions
    • Federal Register & Rulemaking
      • Federal Register Notices
      • Federal Register Rules
      • Executive Orders, Small Business Protection Laws & Other Guidance
      • Regulatory Priorities
    • Advisory Committees
      • National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI)
      • National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria For Foods (NACMCF)
        • 2023-2025 National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF)
        • 2021-2023 National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria For Foods (NACMCF)
        • NACMCF 2022 Subcommittee
        • 2018-2020 National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria For Foods (NACMCF)
    • FSIS Procurement
    • National Federal Financial Assistance
    • Regulatory Decisions & Non-Retaliation
  • Inspection
    • Inspection Programs
      • Inspection of Meat Products
        • Humane Handling Ombudsman
        • Modernization of Swine Slaughter Inspection
      • Inspection of Poultry Products
        • Reducing Salmonella in Poultry
          • Pilot Projects: Salmonella Control Strategies
          • Proposed Regulatory Framework to Reduce Salmonella Illnesses Attributable to Poultry
            • Component 1
            • Component 2
            • Component 3
          • Salmonella By the Numbers
          • Salmonella KPI
          • Salmonella Risk Assessments
        • Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection
      • Inspection of Egg Products
      • Inspection of Siluriformes
    • Compliance Guidance
      • Significant Guidance
      • HACCP
        • HACCP-Based-Inspection Models Project
          • New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS)
          • HIMP Redesign Achievement of Performance Standards Young Chicken Plants
          • List of HIMP Participating Plants
        • HACCP Validation
      • PHIS
        • PHIS: Historical Information
      • Retail Guidance
      • Small & Very Small Plant Guidance
        • Appealing Inspection Decisions
        • Food Safety Resources for Small and Very Small Plant Outreach: Order Form
        • Small Plant Help Desk
        • Small Plant Help Desk Form
      • Microbial Risk
        • Listeria Monocytogenes
        • Salmonella
        • Shiga Toxin-Producing E.Coli (STEC) and E. Coli O157:H7
        • Specified Risk Material
          • BSE Rules Being Strictly Enforced
            • BSE Workshops for Small & Very Small Plants
          • FSIS BSE Resources
      • Specified Risk Material Resources
      • Food Safety Assessments Tools
      • Recall Process
      • Sanitation Performance Standards Compliance Guide
      • Labeling
        • Basics of Labeling
        • Claims Guidance
        • Nonfood Compounds
          • Compounds Used for Construction and Repair in Federally Inspected Meat and Poultry Plants
          • Criteria Used by the Former Compounds and Packaging Branch for Evaluating Nonfood Compounds and Proprietary Substances
        • Ingredients Guidance
        • Label Submission and Approval System (LSAS)
          • Integration of Paper Label Applications into the Label Submission and Approval System (LSAS)
        • Labeling Policies
          • Human Food Made with Cultured Animal Cells
          • Regulations for Package Dating
          • Comprehensive List of Reasons for Label Modifications and Returns
        • Labeling Procedures
          • Information Required For Requesting a Temporary Approval
          • 10 Most Common Mistakes And How to Avoid Them
          • Label Submission Checklist
          • Labeling Situations That Can Not Have a Temporary Approval
          • Labeling and Establishment Responsibilities
          • Ten Most Commonly Asked Labeling Questions
          • Trans Fat Declarations in the Nutrition Facts Panel on Product Labeling
      • New Technology
        • Cooperative Agreements FY 2003
        • Cooperative Agreements FY 2004
        • Cooperative Agreements FY 2005
        • Food Safety Technologies FY 2003
        • Food Safety Technologies FY 2004
        • Food Safety Technologies FY 2005
        • NOL for Non-O157 STEC Test Methods
        • New Technology Information Table
      • Humane Handling
    • Import & Export
      • Import & Export Library
        • Eligible Foreign Establishments
        • Eligible U.S. Establishments by Country
          • Australia Eligible Establishments
          • Hong Kong Lamb Export Eligible Establishments
          • Hong Kong Pork Export Eligible Establishments
          • Hong Kong Poultry Export Eligible Establishments
          • Brazil Export Eligible Establishments
          • Egypt Export Eligible Establishments
          • Hong Kong Beef Export Eligible Establishments
          • Israel Export Eligible Establishments
          • Japan (Casings) Export Eligible Establishments
          • Japan (Cold Storage Facilities) Export Eligible Establishments
          • Mexico Export Eligible Establishments
          • Russia (Beef) Export Eligible Establishments
          • Russia (Pork) Export Eligible Establishments
          • Russia (Poultry) Export Eligible Establishments
          • Russia (Prepared Products) Export Eligible Establishments
          • South Africa Eligible Establishments
      • Import Guidance
        • FSIS Import Procedures for Meat, Poultry & Egg Products
        • FSIS Import Reinspection
        • Sourcing Egg Products and Shell Eggs From Foreign Countries
      • Export Guidance
      • Equivalence
      • PHIS Components
      • International Reports
        • Foreign Audit Reports
        • Import and Export Data
    • Regulatory Enforcement
      • Humane Handling Enforcement
      • Quarterly Enforcement Reports
    • Inspection Training & Videos
      • Humane Interactive Knowledge Exchange (HIKE) Scenarios
      • Inspection & Mission Training
      • Meat, Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Videos
      • Regulatory Education Video Seminars
    • Apply for Grant of Inspection
      • Grants & Financial Options
    • State Inspection Programs
      • Cooperative Interstate Shipping Program
        • Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) Establishments
      • Guidance Documents for State and Local Agencies
      • States With and Without Inspection Programs
      • Reviews of State Programs
    • Establishments
      • FSIS Inspected Establishments
      • Meat, Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Directory
    • Inspection Forms
  • About FSIS
    • History
    • Leadership & Organizational Structure
    • Strategic Planning
      • FSIS Enterprise Governance Decision Making Process
    • Core Values
    • Food Safety & Agency Partners
      • Memoranda of Understanding (MOU)
    • Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
      • FSIS Adjudications
      • FSIS FOIA Reading Room
      • Frequently Requested Records
    • Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS)
  • Contact Us
    • FSIS Offices
      • Office of Food Safety (OFS)
      • Office of the Administrator (OA)
      • Office of Field Operations (OFO)
      • Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit (OIEA)
      • Office of Public Health Science (OPHS)
      • Office of Policy and Program Development (OPPD)
      • Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO)
      • Office of International Coordination (OIC)
      • Office of Employee Experience and Development (OEED)
      • Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO)
      • Office of Management (OM)
      • Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education (OPACE)
      • Internal Affairs (IA)
      • Office of Planning Analysis Risk Management (OPARM)
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    • Apply for a Job
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      • Professional Positions
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    • Who Works for Us
      • Stephanie Galvan Prioritizes Excellence in FSIS
      • Yolanda Kennedy-Edwards: Compassion and Continuous Improvement to Catapult Change
      • Arsalan “AJ” Jalisi Enhances Decision-Making and Engagement with Data Analytics
      • Archives
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    • Agency Awards & Achievements
      • 2024 Under Secretary’s Awards and Administrator’s Awards for Excellence Ceremony
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      • FSIS Snapshots
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      • Submit Your Stories
      • Archives
        • ARCHIVE: Professional Development and Education Benefits as a Recruitment Tool
        • ARCHIVE: Improved PHIS Task Distributor Comes Online!
        • ARCHIVE: Reflections on a Changing Paradigm: World Veterinary Day
        • ARCHIVE: FSIS at Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Conference
        • ARCHIVE: The Power of Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs: Resolving Workplace Conflicts Efficiently
        • ARCHIVE: Third FSIS International Meat, Poultry and Egg Products Inspection Seminar Held in Santiago, Chile
        • ARCHIVE: Supervisors Make All the Difference!
        • ARCHIVE: National Preparedness Month — Workplace Violence: Active Shooter
        • ARCHIVE: National Preparedness Month - Cyber Security for Remote Work
        • ARCHIVE: National Preparedness Month: Occupant Emergency Planning
        • ARCHIVE: National Preparedness Month: Emergency Alerts
        • ARCHIVE: Managing Heat Risk in Hot Weather
        • ARCHIVE: New Netflix Show Features USDA and FSIS
        • ARCHIVE: Thank You for Your Public Service
        • ARCHIVE: World Veterinary Day — Recognizing the Resilience of FSIS Veterinarians
        • ARCHIVE: Two Hero Inspectors Provide Potentially Life-Saving CPR to a Plant Employee
        • ARCHIVE: Hero Inspector Saves a Life While on the Road
        • ARCHIVE: Administrative Professionals Day — Thank You
        • ARCHIVE: Chief Information Security Officer Marvin Lykes Recognized for Operational Excellence
        • ARCHIVE: Alameda District Awards Petaluma Circuit Inspectors Recognition Coins
        • ARCHIVE: Collaborating in the Caribbean — Bringing Awareness About African Swine Fever
        • ARCHIVE: Dearborn, Mich., Circuit Inspectors Receive Collaborative Coins
        • ARCHIVE: Don’t Invite Foodborne Illness to the Party
        • ARCHIVE: Inspection for Ritual Meat and Poultry Slaughter
        • ARCHIVE: Thanksgiving Message from Leadership
        • ARCHIVE: Make a Difference for You and Your Colleagues – Respond to FEVS by Dec. 3
        • ARCHIVE: Federal State Audit Staff Twice Honored for Supporting Military Staff
        • ARCHIVE: Veterans Day Messages from FSIS Leadership
        • ARCHIVE: Food Inspector Apprenticeship Programs for Veterans
        • ARCHIVE: Helping Today’s Inspectors Be Tomorrow’s Leaders with Tuition Reimbursement
        • ARCHIVE: National Preparedness Month – Home Go Kits & Pets
        • ARCHIVE: Modernizing Egg Inspection
        • ARCHIVE: FSIS Recognized Twice for 2020 Food Safety Education Efforts
        • ARCHIVE: Four Steps to Good Mental Health
        • ARCHIVE: Building Relationships at Work
        • ARCHIVE: Honoring the Dedicated Public Servants of FSIS
        • ARCHIVE: Remembering Their Sacrifice: Jean Hillery, Tom Quadros and Bill Shaline
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Food Safety and Inspection Service

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Responding in PHIS to Industry Appeal of a Noncompliance Record - Revision 2

FSIS directive 13000.3
Series Type 13000 Series: Public Health Information System (PHIS)
Issue Date Dec 14, 2022
Full Directive
13000.3.pdf

NOTE: DO NOT IMPLEMENT THIS DIRECTIVE UNTIL: DECEMBER 19, 2022

  1. PURPOSE
    1. This directive provides instructions to supervisory personnel responsible for addressing appeals from official meat and poultry establishments, egg products plants, official import inspection establishments, identification (ID) warehouses, and other facilities where FSIS provides inspection service. The directive provides instructions to supervisory personnel regarding how to respond to an appeal of a noncompliance record (NR) that has been presented to FSIS by an establishment representative through the Public Health Information System (PHIS), or has been presented orally, or in writing. The directive also provides instructions to inspection program personnel (IPP) regarding how to delete or modify an NR in PHIS.

      NOTE: Appeals related to other noncompliances or enforcement actions (e.g., Notices of Intended Enforcement (NOIEs), Office of Investigations, Enforcement and Audit (OIEA) actions, laboratory results) are to be appealed through the applicable supervisory chain of command.
    2. FSIS has revised this directive to include the regulatory changes in the final rule, Establishing a Uniform Time Period Requirement and Clarifying Related Procedures for the Filing of Appeals of Agency Inspection Decisions or Actions, (87 FR 63420) and references to 9 CFR 500.9, that requires establishments to appeal inspection decisions or actions within 30 calendar days of receipt of written notification (including e-mail and PHIS communication) of the contested decision or action and to also submit any subsequent appeals within 30 calendar days.
    3. For the purposes of this directive, “supervisory personnel” refers to any Office of Field Operations (OFO) personnel, at any level, that supervise IPP who conduct verification activities in official establishments or other facilities. This term includes Supervisory Public Health Veterinarians (SPHVs), Supervisory Consumer Safety Inspectors (SCSIs), Inspectors-in-Charge (IICs), Frontline Supervisors (FLSs), District Managers (DMs) and Deputy District Managers (DDMs).

      KEY POINTS:
      • Provides instruction to supervisory personnel regarding the decision process when responding to industry appeals; how to address industry appeals submitted through PHIS; and how to address industry appeals submitted orally or in writing (i.e., not submitted through PHIS)
      • Provides instruction to IPP regarding how to delete an NR in PHIS when an appeal has been granted and how to modify a denied appeal based on instruction from the supervisor

      • Clarifies that there is a 30-calendar day timeframe in which an initial appeal and subsequent appeals are to be made by establishments.

      • Provides instructions to IPP and supervisory personnel regarding how to get references to appeals excluded from establishment meeting agendas and weekly meeting MOIs once the appeals have been resolved

         
  2. CANCELLATION
    FSIS Directive 13,000.3, Responding in PHIS to Industry Appeal of Noncompliance Records, Rev. 1, 11/16/16.
  3. BACKGROUND
    1. FSIS regulations provide that any establishment adversely affected by a decision or action of an inspector or other Agency employee related to an inspection activity may appeal the decision or action. This includes inspection decision including enforcement actions taken in accordance with 9 CFR 500.

      NOTE: Appeals are to be submitted to an immediate supervisor for a determination. IPP are not to address appeals except as instructed by their immediate supervisor and explained in this directive.

    2. If an establishment decides to appeal an inspection decision it is important that it submit the appeal as soon as possible but no longer than 30 calendar days after receiving written notification of the contested decision or action, as required under 9 CFR 500.9. The appeal is to be submitted to IPP’s immediate supervisor, with any supporting information explaining why the appeal should be granted.

    3. IPP are to notify establishment management submitting an appeal using PHIS that once they submit their appeal in PHIS they cannot alter or adjust the information. However, if an establishment wants to augment an appeal entered into PHIS in writing, FSIS will accept the additional information in writing, scan it, and upload it into PHIS.

    4. An inspected establishment or its representative may submit an appeal, verbally or in writing, to the immediate supervisor of any program employee if they believe the establishment has been adversely affected by an applicable decision or action. FSIS officials can verbally respond to a verbal appeal unless it is being denied then the response needs to be in writing.

      NOTE: IPP are to be aware that the appeals process begins with their immediate supervisor. However, as a means to encourage open communication and good business relationships, the author of the NR should be available and open to discuss any concerns regarding NRs with the establishment. Such discussions are not an appeal or part of the appeals process but instead serve as a means to resolve issues at the lowest possible level.

    5. Under 9 CFR 500.9, initial appeals of an applicable decision or action, as well as subsequent appeals of denied appeals through final Agency action, are to be made within 30 calendar days of receiving written notification of the contested decision or action.

    6. The following outlines the chain-of-command for appeal decisions concerning NRs:

      1. Immediate Supervisor (i.e., IIC or PHV of IPP who made the original noncompliance determination or the FLS if that is the immediate supervisor);
      2. FLS;

      3. DM/DDM;

      4. Executive Associate for Regulatory Operations (EARO);

      5. Deputy Assistant Administrator/Assistant Administrator for Office of Field Operations (OFO); and

      6. Administrator for FSIS.

        NOTE: The staffs in the Office of Public Health Science and the Office of Policy and Program Development are not part of the supervisory chain-of-command regarding the resolution of NR appeals. Sample results and regulatory interpretations provided by these staffs can be used to support or refute an NR but are not to be considered as denying or granting an appeal.
  4. IPP RESPONSIBILITIES - WHEN INSTRUCTED BY SUPERVISOR TO MODIFY AN NR IN PHIS
    1. Login using normal login procedures
    2. Prepare to modify (i.e., edit)

      1. On the left menu click “Inspection Verification”;
      2. Click the “Select Establishment” option to access the Domestic Inspection page;

      3. From the Domestic Inspection page, select the establishment by clicking on the adjacent radio button;

      4. Once an establishment is selected, select the “Noncompliance Records” option from the left Navigation Menu under “Inspection Verification”;

      5. Locate the NR requiring modification using the Appeal Status column (Appealed by Plant) and click on the “Edit” pencil icon to open the Noncompliance Record (NR) page;

      6. If the status of the NR subject to appeal is “NR Completed,” when the NR page opens, the message “This Noncompliance record has been completed” displays at the top of the page with a hyperlink (if the status is “Open” skip to step 13 below);

        NOTE: An NR identified as “NR Completed” is “locked” for editing and requires a justification to “unlock.”
      7. Select the “Click here” hyperlink to access the “Reason to Edit” on the NR page;
      8. Unlock the NR for editing by selecting a justification from the dropdown list (Mandatory field) (i.e., Instructed by supervisor) and entering additional descriptive text within the text box (e.g., appeal granted, deleting per instructions by supervisor);

      9. Click the “Unlock” button to save the justification and return to the NR page;

        NOTE: The “Noncompliance Finalized?” checkbox will now be blank and the General tab will show the status of the NR as Open

      10. The newly added justification is displayed at the bottom of the page, with a message above the grid;
      11. If the NR has been finalized, once the Noncompliance Record (NR) page opens, select the noncompliance tab and then the Edit pencil icon to open the Noncompliance page;

      12. The following message will be displayed at the top of the Noncompliance page:

        “This noncompliance has been finalized. To unlock it, select “Click here” and provide a justification.”

      13. Select the “Click here” hyperlink to access the NR page to unlock the finalized Noncompliance;

      14. Select from the dropdown list the appropriate reason and enter any additional descriptive text for the reason to Edit NR, and;

      15. Click “Unlock” button and now the Noncompliance page can be modified.
    3. Modify (i.e. edit) the NR.
      1. Once the justification has been entered as above, make the changes to the NR as required by the supervisor;
      2. Once all the information has been entered, click “Save” button at the bottom of the page. Then check the “Noncompliance Finalized?” box and click “Save” button again;

      3. At the bottom of the Noncompliance page will appear the Justification, Reason to Edit, Edited By, and Edited Date;

      4. Click “Cancel” and it will return you to the Noncompliance Record (NR) page. If you select the Noncompliance tag, you will see the “Finalized” status of the noncompliance; and

      5. To complete the NR, place a check in the “NR Completed” checkbox and click Save. This returns you to the Noncompliance Records page and the NR status will now display as “Completed”.

    4. If the establishment uses the Industry Module in PHIS, they can review changes to the NR and decide whether or not to “Accept FSIS’s decision.” If they accept the modification, then the NR status will no longer show it is under appeal.

      NOTE: If the establishment has elected not to use PHIS, the next line of OFO supervisory chain-of- command is to enter the information for the establishment in PHIS.

    5. If IPP observe that an NR number continues to be included on the weekly meeting MOI after the NR appeal has been resolved (e.g., the establishment chooses not to further appeal the NR), they are to inform their immediate supervisor. The supervisor is to follow the instructions in Section VI.F below to resolve the issue.

  5. IPP RESPONSIBILITIES - WHEN NOTIFIED BY SUPERVISOR TO DELETE AN NR IN PHIS
    1. Login using normal login procedures
    2. Prepare to delete

      1. Follow the instructions in Section IV. B above, to unlock the NR;
      2. Once the NR is unlocked, uncheck the regulations identified on the Noncompliance page; and

      3. Click “Save” and then Click “Cancel”. This returns the user to the NR page.
    3. Delete the NR
      1. Click on the “Noncompliances” tab;
      2. Select the NR to be deleted, the status should be ‘open’;

      3. Click on the “Trash can.” A warning message will appear: “This action will delete the Noncompliance. Are you sure?”

      4. In the warning box click “OK” to permanently delete the noncompliance;

        NOTE: This action cannot be reversed once the noncompliance is deleted

      5. In the “Task Calendar,” if the task is “yellow,” it will now show that it is no longer noncompliant;

      6. Document that the task is completed by opening it and checking “Inspection Completed” box; and

      7. Click “Save” and then close. The task should now be displayed as “green” in the “Task Calendar”

        NOTE: Once the electronic copy of the NR is removed from PHIS, IPP are to remove the paper NR with any associated correspondences from the government file system.

  6. SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL - GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
    1. Supervisory personnel will receive notification of an appeal in one of the following ways:
      1. The appeal will appear under the “My Tasks” tab on the supervisors Home Page in PHIS; or
      2. The supervisory personnel will receive written (including e-mail and PHIS communication) or oral notification from an establishment.

    2. The supervisor can grant the appeal in its entirety, because they believe that the NR, as written, does not support regulatory noncompliance or they can deny the appeal because they believe that the entire NR, or some portion of it, supports regulatory noncompliance.

      NOTE: Granting the appeal does not remove the NR from the PHIS system. It removes the NR from view and no longer allows any changes.
    3. Supervisory personnel are to respond promptly to each appeal received by doing the following:
      1. Obtain all relevant factual information and review pertinent notices, directives, statutes, and regulations; and
      2. Communicate the appeal decision to the establishment and to any IPP involved with the appeal.

    4. FSIS responses to appeals are to be provided as soon as possible, within the suggested timeframes below. However, because each appeal case presents a unique set of facts that require consideration, the response times may vary.

      NOTE: As indicated in PHIS, appeals to the EARO, OFO Deputy Assistant Administrator, OFO Assistant Administrator, or the FSIS Administrator are not conducted through PHIS and must be presented in writing directly to those officials.

    5. Supervisory personnel are to obtain the following information from the responsible establishment employee:

      1. The original NR under appeal, if the appeal was not made through PHIS;
      2. A narrative explanation of why establishment management disagrees with the inspection decision;

      3. Any supporting documentation that establishment management believes will assist supervisory personnel in evaluating the situation under appeal;

      4. Copies of any previous FSIS responses; and

      5. Any records (e.g., HACCP, SSOP, or prerequisite program) that may contain relevant information on the issue being appealed.
    6. Due to the functionality of PHIS, any NR under appeal will continue to be included on the weekly meeting agenda and subsequent MOI until it is resolved and marked “accepted FSIS decision” in PHIS. If IPP observe that an NR number continues to be present on the weekly meeting agenda and MOI after the NR appeal has been resolved (e.g., the establishment chooses not to further appeal the NR), they are to notify their immediate supervisor. The immediate supervisor will then notify the supervisor that is next in the OFO chain-of-command who has not addressed the appeal is to do the following:
      1. Login using normal login procedures;
      2. Click on “Inspection Verification”;

      3. Click on “Select Establishment” and choose an establishment;

      4. Click on “Plant Management”;

      5. Select the NR in question;

      6. Click on the “Response” icon;

      7. Select the radio button “Accepted FSIS Decision.” Enter the name of the responsible establishment employee that indicated the establishment no longer wishes to appeal the NR further; and

      8. Click on “Save”, click “Submit” and then click “OK."

        NOTE: The responses to all appeals, (e.g. those provided to the establishment) are to be entered into PHIS using the following instructions and those in Section VII below.

    7. Supervisors at all levels are to include the following information within their written response to the establishment when addressing an NR appeal.

      1. Identify the PHIS NR number and the date the appeal was received;
      2. Identify each issue under appeal, the reasons the issue(s) is under appeal and the action requested;

      3. For each issue under appeal, provide the following:
        1. Information, details and facts used to formulate and support the decision;
        2. Identification of any misapplied policy;

        3. The final decision; and

        4. All actions to be taken as a result of the decision.

          NOTE: It is important that supervisory personnel include information that supports the decision for granting or denying an appeal. However, they only need to summarize the basis for their decision when entering information into PHIS to enable data analysis of NR appeal outcomes.

  7. SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL - RESPONDING TO AN APPEAL IN PHIS

    NOTE: If the establishment appeals in writing, FSIS supervisors are to include the information in PHIS either by scanning or including the written document, which could be an email, as an attachment.
     

    1. When the establishment management, or their representative, uses PHIS and submits an appeal electronically into PHIS, FSIS supervisory personnel are to do the following:

      1. Review the establishment’s response by accessing the Plant Management page within PHIS.

        Note: The appeal and response text boxes do not have a designated character limit to facilitate thorough and complete entries by establishment management and FSIS supervisory personnel.
      2. Respond to the establishment’s appeal in PHIS after evaluating the establishment’s reason for appeal, the initial inspection findings, and the pertinent regulatory provisions as they apply to the documented noncompliance.
      3. Follow the instructions below to Grant or Deny the appeal in PHIS:
        1. Log in using normal login procedures;

        2. Select establishment;

        3. From the left menu, click “Inspection Verification” then “Plant Management”;

        4. Find the NR that was appealed and click the red arrow in “Response” column;

        5. View establishment’s appeal; and

        6. Grant or Deny using the instructions below

      4. Grant
        1. Click “Grant”;

        2. Enter an FSIS response regarding why the appeal is being granted in the text field or upload an attachment;

        3. Click the “Save” button to save the information;

        4. Click “Submit.” A message will display asking “Are you sure want to submit?”;

          NOTE: The same message is displayed for granting or denying, so be sure that the correct radio button is selected.

        5. Click “OK” if you are sure that you want to “Grant” the appeal; and

          NOTE: This action cannot be reversed once the appeal is granted.

        6. Notify the IPP author of the NR, through supervisory channels, that the appeal has been granted. IPP will follow the instructions in Section V to delete the NR.

      5. Deny

        1. Click “Deny”;

        2. Enter an FSIS response regarding why the appeal is being denied in the text field or upload an attachment;

          NOTE: If an attachment is added, be sure that the radio button still indicates “Deny” and does not default to “Grant”.

        3. Click the “Save” button to save the information;

        4. Click “Submit.” A message will display asking “Are you sure want to submit?”; and

        5. Click “OK.”

          NOTE: If supervisory personnel determine that modifications need to be made to the denied NR, they are to notify the IPP author of the NR, through supervisory channels, regarding the necessary modifications. The IPP author of the NR will follow the instructions in Section IV above to make the modifications in PHIS.

      6. If multiple issues are documented as separate noncompliances on the NR, supervisors are to:

        1. Deny the appeal if the supervisor decides that any part of an NR is supportable.

        2. Grant the appeal if the supervisor decides the entire NR, as documented is not supportable.

    2. When establishment appeals an NR but elects not to request access to PHIS (i.e., cannot submit an appeal electronically into PHIS), supervisory personnel are to do the following:

      1. Log in using normal login procedures;

      2. Click “Inspection Verification” then “Select Establishment”;

        1. From the left menu click “Plant Management “;

        2. Find the NR that was appealed and click the red arrow in “Response” column;

        3. Click “Appeal”;

        4. Enter the name of the establishment representative that is making the appeal in the text field. If there is an establishment appeal in writing, the supervisor will attach either a scanned copy or if it was electronically sent, the electronic version;

        5. Click “Save”;

        6. Click “Submit”; and

        7. At the “Are you sure want to submit?” prompt, click “OK.”

      3. Follow Steps 4 and 5 in Section VI A. above to “Grant” or “Deny” the appeal.

        NOTE: When the DM or DDM denies an appeal, the following message will be visible at the top of the “Plant Management Response” page:

        “The District Manager/Deputy District Manager has denied your appeal. If you wish to continue the appeal process to the next level of supervision, please submit your appeal and any associated documents to the Executive Assistant for Regulatory Operations (EARO) for your district. For appeal guidance, please refer to the FSIS website.”

  8. QUESTIONS
    Refer questions regarding this directive to your immediate supervisor or to the Office of Policy and Program Development through askFSIS or by telephone at 1-800-233-3935.  When submitting a question, complete the web form and select General Inspection Policy as appropriate as the Inquiry Type.

    NOTE: Refer to FSIS Directive 5620.1, Using askFSIS, for additional information on submitting questions.

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