Today, FSIS distributed expanded establishment-specific datasets to industry for review prior to their public posting on the FSIS website in July 2022. As announced in the Constituent Update on May 6, 2022, the data includes the FSIS Number — a whole genome sequencing (WGS) identifier assigned for pathogens — and allele codes with date stamps. The FSIS Number update will apply to sampling results for Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, or STEC. The allele codes with date stamps will only be applied for Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and STEC. This data covers datasets of positive FSIS laboratory sampling results from October 2013 through March 2022. Each establishment only received its results — not those of other establishments. Subsequent dataset distributions will allow establishments at least 4 weeks to review their data in advance of the quarterly public postings on the FSIS website.

As a reminder, FSIS is seeking public comments on a sample dataset and data documentation until June 17, 2022. To comment, visit Regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FSIS-2014-0032. Establishment-specific datasets were first released in 2016 as announced in the July 14, 2016, Federal Register. Additional details can be found in the FSIS Establishment-specific data release strategic plan.

Questions from industry regarding the datasets or WGS are to be submitted through askFSIS by selecting “sampling” from the dropdown menu for inquiry type.

Are You Grilling the Food Safe Way?

Gathering to enjoy the smell, sight, and sound of meat sizzling on the grill makes for a mouthwatering experience. Although it may be tempting to take food off the grill early, be patient when grilling meat and poultry and remember the steps to food safety.

USDA recommends eating meat and poultry products once they’ve reached a safe minimum internal temperature, as measured by a food thermometer. A recent USDA consumer study showed that 21% of participants incorrectly relied on firmness to determine if hamburger meat was fully cooked. Relying on appearance or firmness alone is not enough to ensure safety. For more grilling tips to have a food safe summer, check out our press release with updated research findings.

Please call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline with any questions at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), email MPHotline@usda.gov, or chat with a food safety expert live at ask.usda.gov from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, in English or Spanish.

Reminder: FSIS to Host Webinars on Revised Appendices A & B

On May 23 and May 24, 2022, FSIS will host webinars to provide an overview of the recently revised 2021 Cooking Guideline for Meat and Poultry Products (Revised Appendix A) and 2021 Stabilization Guideline for Meat and Poultry Products (Revised Appendix B). The webinars will also provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions.

The first webinar on May 23 will be held from 1-3 p.m. ET. The second, encore session on May 24 will be held from 9-11 a.m. ET. Pre-registration for the webinars is not required.

FSIS announced the availability of the revisions of its cooking (lethality) and stabilization (cooling and hot-holding) guidance, referred to as Appendices A & B, in the December 14, 2021, Federal Register. Establishments that used previous versions of Appendix A as support have until December 14, 2022, to either update to the 2021 guidelines or identify alternative support.

Presentation slides are available here in PDF format on the FSIS website in advance of the webinar. Recordings of both webinars will be posted on the FSIS website for those unable to attend.

FSIS Announces End of Voluntary Pet Food Certification Program

FSIS is eliminating its voluntary pet food certification program because it is outdated, unused, and redundant, which has led to industry and consumer confusion. FSIS published the final rule in the Federal Register on May 20, 2022.

The voluntary pet food certification program allowed for FSIS inspectors to provide a fee-for-service certification that verifies certain pet foods are produced under sanitary conditions and meet compositional and labeling requirements. No firms are currently paying for FSIS certification services for pet food and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has an existing oversight program that regulates pet food production. FDA is responsible for ensuring that pet food is safe for animals, produced under sanitary conditions, contains no harmful substances, and is truthfully labeled. Given the confusion surrounding FSIS’ unused voluntary program, the rule clarifies that FDA has sole federal jurisdiction over pet food inspection.

This final rule was informed by public comments received on the proposed rule published in July 2021.

FSIS to Post Updated Dataset on Import Refusals

On May 16, 2022, FSIS updated the publicly posted dataset on import refusals for products that the agency regulates. Federal law requires every commercial shipment of imported meat, poultry, and egg products to be reinspected prior to product entering U.S. commerce. FSIS reinspects each shipment to verify labeling, proper certification, general condition, and any signs of tampering and to identify product adulterated by transportation damage. FSIS also performs additional activities on a random or for-cause basis, such as physical product examination and laboratory sampling for pathogens and chemical residues.

Any product that does not meet FSIS requirements is refused entry, and the importer has up to 45 days (30 days for egg products) to have the product destroyed for use as human food, re-exported/returned to the foreign country, converted to animal food, or brought into compliance with FSIS requirements, if applicable (e.g., relabeled, remarked, or issued a replacement certificate).

This dataset is updated around the 15th of each month and contains each shipment with product that was refused entry. To access these datasets or view more information about them, please visit the Import and Export Data page.

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

FSIS has 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. Additionally, FSIS has 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.