Constituent Update - September 27, 2024

Constituent Update - September 27, 2024

FSIS Posts New Beef Intended Use Infographic for Retailers

FSIS posted a new Beef Intended Use infographic for retailers handling raw beef, on the FSIS Retail Guidance webpage. FSIS compliance investigators will use this infographic during retail outreach and education efforts. The infographic has been translated into multiple languages, which are available on the webpage.

FSIS does not currently sample beef that is intended for intact use (such as for a steak or roast not intended for grinding or mechanical tenderizing) to test for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. However, some retailers use beef intended for intact use (e.g., primals, steaks, roasts) to produce ground beef, which poses a food safety risk. Grinding trim from products intended for intact use increases the risk that consumers could get sick.

Through its outreach to retailers, FSIS is encouraging retailers to consider the facility's intended use when grinding beef at retail and maintain ongoing communication with their supplier to ensure critical food safety risks are controlled.

FSIS to Publish New Import Datasets

On September 27, 2024, FSIS will replace the existing Import Refusals and Import Volume datasets currently available on the Import and Export Data page with two new datasets, Import Presented Refused and Import Refusal Reason. The original announcement of this change can be found in the July 19, 2024 Constituent Update.

The existing Import Refusals dataset is published at the lot-level, including the foreign processing establishment, whereas the existing Import Volume dataset is published at the Country, Species, Process Category, Product Category, and Product Group level. The new Import Presented Refused dataset will include lot-level information for import volume along with import refusal data at the lot-level, making it easier to compare the proportion of weight refused to weight presented. Import Refusal Reason will be provided as a secondary dataset, providing each refusal reason as its own row to facilitate analysis.

Datasets will be updated monthly and will be posted the third Friday of each month, with data broken out by fiscal year (FY), starting with data from FY 2014 (starting on October 1, 2013) through the most recent FY. These datasets are released in an open, non-proprietary csv format. Instructions on how to open csv files using Excel are available on the FSIS website in the Comma Separated Values Guide section.

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 7, 2024: Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products
• 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

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 37-24 - Fiscal Year 2025 Continuing Education Program for Public Health Veterinarians and Veterinary Medical Officers

Export Requirements Update

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

• Canada
• Mauritius
• Korea
• Namibia
• Vietnam
• Chile
• Tunisia
• India
• Egypt
• Dominican Republic
• Cuba
• Solomon Islands
• Hong Kong
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• St. Lucia
• North Macedonia
• Curacao
• Jamaica
• Azerbaijan
• New Caledonia
• Qatar
• Ecuador
• Turks & Caicos Islands
• Costa Rica
• Colombia
• European Union
• El Salvador
• Japan
• Switzerland

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

Last Updated: Sep 27, 2024