Constituent Update - July 5, 2024

Constituent Update - July 5, 2024

FSIS Posts FY 2025 Public Health Regulations

Today, FSIS posted the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Public Health Regulations (PHR) report on how FSIS determines PHRs and their thresholds.

FSIS updates its PHRs annually and uses a number of criteria described in Directive 5100.4 to prioritize establishments for Public Health Risk Evaluations (PHREs), including PHR noncompliance. The agency has analyzed current data and developed the FY 2025 list of PHRs, including the thresholds used to prioritize establishments for PHREs and to alert inspection personnel of elevated PHR noncompliance levels.

More detailed information about PHRs, as well as archived PHRs by fiscal year, are available at FSIS Public Health Regulations on the FSIS website.

FSIS to Post Quarterly Updates to Establishment-Specific Datasets

Today, FSIS will publicly post quarterly updates to the following establishment-specific datasets:

Establishment-specific Datasets on Laboratory Sampling

• Egg Product Sampling Data
• Raw Beef Sampling Data
• Raw Pork Products Sampling Data
• Raw Poultry Sampling Data
• Intensified Verification Testing Data
• Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Meat and Poultry Sampling Data
• Risk-based Listeria monocytogenes Sampling Data
• NARMS Cecal Sampling Data

As announced in the April 5, 2024 Constituent Update, FSIS will publish the establishment specific sample results for enteric bacteria isolated from cecal sampling as part of the FSIS National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS). FSIS will release this data product in an open, non-proprietary JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) format, consistent with requirements set by the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018. Guides explaining how to access the file using Excel are available on the FSIS website in the JSON Guides section found on the Laboratory Sampling Data webpage. The NARMS Cecal Sampling Data will have files split by Fiscal Year (FY), with data ranging from the start of FY 2013 (October 1, 2013) - to the end of the previous quarter (March 31, 2024).

Establishment-specific Datasets on Inspection Tasks

• Livestock Humane Handling Inspection Tasks
• Poultry Good Commercial Practices Inspection Tasks

Reminder: FSIS Webinar on Whole Genome Sequencing

As announced in the June 7, 2024, Constituent Update, FSIS is hosting a whole genome sequencing (WGS) webinar titled, "Using Whole Genome Sequencing to Support FSIS Food Safety and Public Health Mission". The webinar is open to external stakeholders and will be held on July 8, 2024, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET. Interested individuals can join through Microsoft Teams or join by phone at 202-650-0123; access code 982252168#.

FSIS and public health partners use WGS as an integral tool to protect public health. FSIS scientists use WGS to characterize bacterial pathogens isolated from meat, poultry, and egg products, and prevent contaminated products from going to commerce. The agency also uses this technology to help identify products that may be the cause of foodborne illness.

Upcoming Events

• Using Whole Genome Sequencing to Support FSIS Food Safety and Public Health Mission: July 8, 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET.

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

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 24-24 - Continuing Education Program: College Tuition Reimbursement Program Open to All Employees

Export Requirements Update

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

• Australia
• Western Samoa (Samoa)
• Peru
• Singapore
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Jordan
• New Zealand
• New Caledonia
• Korea
• China
• Uruguay
• Hong Kong
• Canada

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

Last Updated: Jul 05, 2024