Constituent Update - November 8, 2024

Constituent Update - November 8, 2024

FSIS to Host November Webinar on Food Donation

On November 18, 2024, FSIS will host a webinar to provide an overview of its guideline, FSIS Guideline to Assist with the Donation of Eligible Meat, Poultry and Egg Products to Non-Profit Organizations. The webinar will address topics such as products eligible for donation, products ineligible for donation, labeling donated products, shipping donated products, donating products produced under inspection exemptions, and general handling and labeling guidance for non-profit organizations that receive donated products. The webinar will also explain that producers can donate products past the "best if used by" or "sell by" date.

The webinar will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. EST.

FSIS invites interested stakeholders, including public health partners, industry representatives, consumer groups, and other members of the public, to join the webinar to learn more about FSIS policies related to the donation of meat, poultry, and egg products by official establishments to non-profit organizations.

The webinar will be held on Microsoft Teams. Pre-registration for the webinar is not required. A recording of the webinar, along with presentation slides, will be posted on the FSIS website for those unable to attend.

Participants will have an opportunity to ask clarifying or technical questions about the information shared during the webinar. To access the webinar please visit the events page on the FSIS website.

FSIS and FDA NARMS Teams Post Minor Species Antimicrobial Resistance Findings

On November 1, 2024, FSIS' National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) team in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) NARMS team posted the data from their minor species (goats, sheep, lambs, and veal) 2020 to 2022 collaborative study on FDA's NARMS Minor Species Report | FDA webpage. This data consists of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella, Campylobacter, generic E. coli, and Enterococcus isolated from the cecal (intestinal) contents of minor species. On October 24, 2024 FSIS and FDA also published the findings from this minor species national study in the 39th volume of the Sheep and Goat Research Journal. This publication can be also be accessed here.

NARMS is an interagency, collaborative partnership with USDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the FDA, and state and local public health departments for monitoring changes in antimicrobial resistance in certain enteric/intestinal bacteria.

FSIS Updates Exports Webpage with Country Approval Process-Related Instructions

On November 1, 2024, FSIS updated the U.S. Establishments by Country webpage to provide more robust information on the process of adding establishments to a specific country's approved list. These updates were made to clarify the approval process for each country listed and to provide more information to industry and inspection personnel. Updates include a clarification of the 9080-3 submission/approval process, country-specific steps and guidance, and a new format to display each country's information. Updates can be found by visiting the U.S. Establishments by Country webpage and selecting the name of the specific country.

For most countries, all federally inspected meat, poultry and egg product establishments are eligible to export, provided all the requirements of the importing country are met. If the country requirements indicate that all federally inspected plants are eligible to export to the country, no further action is needed. However, several countries require additional certification. The country requirements listed in the Export Library will reflect the necessity of this additional certification, while the U.S. Establishments by Country page provides links to the approved lists and additional process-related instructions.

Reminder: FSIS to Host Virtual Public Meetings on Salmonella Framework

As announced in the November 1, 2024, Constituent Update, FSIS will host virtual public meetings on December 3 and 5, 2024, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. EST on both dates. The focus for December 3 will be on final product standards. The focus for December 5 will be on statistical process control monitoring methods and related topics. Each session will provide an opportunity for a small group of varied stakeholders to present their views and engage in discussion regarding the Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products proposed rule and determination. FSIS plans to provide time for stakeholders from the larger group to ask questions.

Use this link to register for the December 3 session

Use this link to register for the December 5 session

As a reminder, FSIS extended the comment period for the Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products proposed rule and determination until January 17, 2025. Written comments may be submitted online via the federal eRulemaking portal, available at www.regulations.gov; by mail sent to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Washington, DC 20250-3700, or by hand or courier delivery to 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 350-E, Washington, DC 20250-3700. All items submitted must include the agency name and docket number FSIS-2023-0028.

Upcoming Events

• FSIS Webinar on Food Donation Guideline November 2024: November 18, 2024,1:00-2:00 p.m. EST.
• Product Standards and the Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products: December 3, 2024, 1:00-4:00 p.m. EST.
• Process Control Monitoring and the Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products: December 5, 2024, 1:00-4:00 p.m. EST.

Available for Public Comment

FSIS seeks public comments on proposed rules and notices, which are viewable on the FSIS Federal Register & Rulemaking webpage. FSIS is currently seeking comments on the following:

• Until November 12, 2024: Availability of FSIS Guideline on Substantiating Animal-Raising or Environment-Related Labeling Claims
• Until November 12, 2024: Notice of Request to Renew an Approved Information Collection: Accredited Laboratories
• Until January 17, 2025: Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products

Policy Update

FSIS notices and directives on public health and regulatory issues are available on the FSIS Policy webpage. The following policy update was recently issued:

FSIS Notice 46-24 - Federal Benefits 2024 Open Season

Export Requirements Update

The Library of Export Requirements has been updated for products for the following:

• Philippines
• Mexico
• Kiribati
• Japan
• Benin
• Jordan
• Namibia
• North Macedonia
• New Zealand
• European Union
• Dominican Republic
• Hong Kong
• Jamaica
• Vietnam
• Mauritius
• Tunisia
• Cuba
• Canada
• Turkey

Complete information can be found at the FSIS Import & Export Library.

Last Updated: Nov 08, 2024