FSIS has posted a Siluriformes fish compliance guideline to assist establishments that slaughter or further process Siluriformes fish and fish products to understand and implement their regulatory responsibilities. This guidance represents best practice recommendations by FSIS, based on the best scientific and practical considerations.

The final rule, “Mandatory Inspection of Fish of the Order Siluriformes and Products Derived From Such Fish,” was published on Dec. 2, 2015. Starting on March 1, 2016, the Agency implemented an 18-month transitional period during which it has conducted inspection and exercised broad enforcement discretion in domestic Siluriformes fish establishments. FSIS will enforce all regulatory requirements starting Sept. 1, 2017. In the final rule, FSIS stated that during initial implementation, it would provide domestic Siluriformes fish and fish product establishments with guidance to ensure that they understand the requirements (80 FR 75607).

The compliance guideline contains information, in part, on how fish establishments can apply for a Grant of Inspection (GOI); submit labels for approval; develop written recall plans; comply with Sanitation Performance Standards (SPS) and Sanitation SOP requirements; and comply with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) requirements. This compliance guideline also contains information to help establishments understand sampling requirements and requirements for exporting and importing Siluriformes fish and fish products. FSIS developed this guideline for the domestic industry. However, foreign countries that are interested in obtaining an equivalence determination from FSIS can also use it to inform the design of their inspection program. FSIS will likely update this guidance after the transitional period.

FSIS requests that all interested persons submit comments on any aspect of this document, including but not limited to: content, readability, applicability, and accessibility. The comment period will be 60 days from March 24, 2017. Comments may be submitted by either of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides the ability to type short comments directly into the comment field or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Mail, including CD-ROMs, and hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), FSIS, OPPD, RIMS, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3782, 8-163A, Washington, D.C. 20250-3700.

All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the Agency name and Docket Number FSIS-2017-0017. Comments received in response to this docket will be made available for public inspection and posted without change, including any personal information to http://www.regulations.gov.

The guideline is available at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/8ec92a7f-8f9b-45ae-b80f-7c336f7d6ff5/Compliance-Guideline-Siluriformes-Fish.pdf?MOD=AJPERES.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/meetings/newsletters/constituent-updates/archive/2017/ConstUpdate032417