Constituent Update – August 9, 2024

Constituent Update - August 9, 2024

Reminder: FSIS to Onboard Mexico in PHIS Export Component

Starting November 4, 2024, all FSIS meat and poultry product export certificates for products exported to Mexico will be generated, issued and officially maintained in FSIS' Public Health Information System (PHIS). This change excludes certificates for casings and egg products. The Mexico PHIS Industry Test Environment (ITE) is currently available for testing.

All export certificates (FSIS Form 9060-5 series) generated through PHIS will be digitally signed by FSIS and will be printed on plain paper by industry personnel with PHIS access. These plain paper forms must include the PHIS-generated watermark. Any attestations for Mexico, as documented in the FSIS Export Library, will be captured in the FSIS Form 9060-5 remarks section or the FSIS Form 9060-5B (continuation sheet). The digitally signed FSIS Form 9060-5 series printed on plain watermarked paper and available for validation in PHIS will replace all letterhead certificates for meat and poultry exported to Mexico. Beginning November 4, 2024, no wet-signed 9060-5 series export certificates, including letterhead certificates, will be issued for meat and poultry products for export to Mexico.

Industry is strongly encouraged to use the ITE to test application submittals for export to Mexico. Testing instructions for industry are available on the FSIS website, PHIS Components page, under Information for Industry. Please note that an electronic identification account with identity verification steps is required for all persons who will access PHIS, for both the test environment and the live production environment. User accounts are disabled for those who have not used PHIS in 60 days. For those new to the PHIS export component, please register with Login.gov to initiate, update, or complete the electronic identification account and the PHIS enrollment process. Instructions can be found in the PHIS Industry User Guide, section 2 (Overview of PHIS).

As noted in previous Constituent Updates, industry is strongly encouraged to ensure establishment information in PHIS is aligned with Mexico's approved establishment list. Misaligned information risks held or rejected shipments upon Mexico's implementation in PHIS.

For further guidance on PHIS export and enrollment, please refer to the following user guides:

• PHIS Industry User Guide
• Editing 9060 Records Quick Reference Guide
• PHIS Quick Reference Guide for Corporate and Establishment Management

Please contact [email protected] with questions regarding these changes. Technical questions can be directed to [email protected].

FSIS to Post Updated Datasets on Import Refusals

On August 15, 2024, FSIS will update 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 and/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. Within 45 days for meat and poultry or 30 days for egg products, the importer must have the product destroyed for use as human food, re-exported 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).

The current Import Refusals dataset is updated around the 15th of each month and the archived Import Refusals dataset is updated around the 15th of the first month of each quarter. The datasets contain 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.

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 August 20, 2024: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigation Survey for FSIS Public Health Partners
• Until August 26, 2024: Availability of Guidance for Residue Prevention
• Until September 20, 2024: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Petitions for Rulemaking
• Until October 7, 2024: 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 25-24 - USDA Material Management Service Center End of Fiscal Year Inventory and Reconciliation Closure

FSIS Directive 7120.1- Safe and Suitable Ingredients Used in the Production of Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products - Revision 59

Export Requirements Update

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

• Egypt
• Mexico
• Kiribati
• Panama
• Japan
• Uruguay
• Benin
• Myanmar
• Azerbaijan
• New Caledonia
• Vietnam
• New Zealand
• Canada

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

Last Updated: Aug 09, 2024