Constituent Update - August 23, 2024

Constituent Update - August 23, 2024

NACMCF to Hold Public Meeting

The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will hold a hybrid (in-person and virtual) public meeting on September 24, 2024, and September 26, 2024, to provide an update on the FSIS Genomics charge and the FDA Cronobacter spp. in Powdered Infant Formula charge. Additional information on the NACMCF charges can be found on the FSIS website.

The Genomics and Cronobacter spp. in Powdered Infant Formula subcommittees will also hold concurrent meetings on September 25, 2024, that will be open to the public to attend virtually.

The in-person meetings will take place in the USDA Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20250. In-person attendees will be escorted to the meeting room upon arrival.

Attendance is free, but registration by September 18, 2024, is requested. Details on how to access the meeting will be provided upon registration. An American Sign Language interpreter will be present online during the September 24, 2024, public meeting and attendees will also have the option to turn on closed captions.

FSIS requests that those interested in providing oral public comments on the charges at the meeting should indicate so when registering. Oral comments will be limited to three minutes per speaker. FSIS will strive to accommodate all registered persons who request to provide oral comments. The Federal Register notice provides additional meeting details and directions for providing written comments. FSIS will finalize an agenda before the meeting date and post it on the FSIS events webpage.

NACMCF has made important contributions to a broad range of critical food safety issues. Committee reports provide scientific advice to federal food safety agencies and serve as a foundation for regulations and programs aimed at reducing foodborne disease and enhancing public health. Federal food safety agencies involved with NACMCF include FSIS, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Department of Defense Veterinary Services.

NACMCF to Hold Virtual Information Fair on Membership Opportunities

The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will hold a virtual information fair on September 9, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET. Information shared will include an overview of NACMCF, committee activities, and preparing membership nominations.

Interested individuals can join through Microsoft Teams or join by phone at (202) 650-0123; access code 67052339#.

NACMCF provides impartial scientific advice and recommendations to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other government agencies on public health issues relative to the safety of the U.S. food supply. NACMCF reports often serve as foundations for regulations and programs aimed at reducing foodborne disease and enhancing public health.

FSIS Posts Q&A on the FSIS Allergen Verification Sampling Program

FSIS will begin the allergen verification sampling program on September 1, 2024, as announced in the July 26, 2024 Constituent Update and described in FSIS Directive 7,000.6. In response to questions from industry and FSIS personnel, FSIS is posting questions and answers for a few commonly asked questions. These questions and answers can be found here.

Additional questions may be submitted to askFSIS at askFSIS | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov) or by telephone at 1-800-233-3935. When submitting a question online, complete the web form and select Sampling as the Inquiry Type.

Upcoming Events

• National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods Virtual Information Fair on Membership Opportunities: September 9, 2024, 2 PM-3 PM ET.
• Salmonella Framework Proposal Webinars: September 9, 10 AM-12:30 PM ET, and September 10, 2024, 10 AM-12 PM ET.
• 2024 National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection Meetings: September 16 and 17, 2024, 10 AM-4 PM ET.
• National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods Meetings: September 24, 10 AM-12 PM ET, and September 26, 2024, 4 PM-5 PM 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 26, 2024: Availability of Guidance for Residue Prevention
• Until September 16, 2024: National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection
• Until September 18, 2024: 2024 National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods Public Meeting
• Until September 20, 2024: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Petitions for Rulemaking
• Until November 7, 2024: Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products

Export Requirements Update

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

• North Macedonia
• Canada
• Japan
• Honduras
• El Salvador
• Curacao
• Morocco
• Ecuador
• St. Lucia
• Costa Rica
• United Arab Emirates
• Qatar
• Tunisia
• Colombia
• Barbados
• Turkey
• Dominica
• Azerbaijan
• Turks & Caicos Islands

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

Last Updated: Aug 23, 2024