| August 13, 2021 Upcoming FSIS Webinars on Labeling FSIS will host two labeling webinars in the coming weeks. The first webinar will cover generic labeling and will be held on August 24, 2021 at 1:00 p.m., ET. The webinar will provide an overview of the generic labeling regulations, including changes to prior label approval requirements for egg products. Additional information about generic labeling can be found in the FSIS Compliance Guideline for Label Approval. To access the August webinar on Webex, please click here and follow the on-screen instructions. Use the following information when logging in: Meeting Number: 888-844-9904 Code: 2956126. For questions, please contact Gianfranco Santaliz-Rogers at 301-504-0878 or gianfranco.santalizrogers@usda.gov. The second webinar will take place on September 1, 2021 at 1:00 p.m., ET to discuss claims related to animal raising, including the absence of non-genetically modified ingredients or animal feed on labels. The intent is to help industry understand the requirements and streamline the label submission process. The webinar will provide an overview on documentation needed to support animal raising claims made on meat or poultry products as discussed in the Labeling Guideline on Documentation Needed to Substantiate Animal Raising Claims for Label Submissions. The September webinar will also provide updated guidelines for factual statements concerning the non-use of bioengineered or genetically modified ingredients on labels of meat, poultry, and egg products addressed in the Labeling Guideline on Statements That Bioengineered or Genetically Modified Ingredients or Animal Feed Were Not Used in Meat, Poultry, or Egg Products. To access the September webinar on Webex, please click here and follow the on-screen instructions. Use the following information when logging in: Meeting Number: 888-844-9904 Code: 2956126. For questions, please contact Gianfranco Santaliz-Rogers at 301-504-0878 or gianfranco.santalizrogers@usda.gov. Recordings of the webinars, along with presentation slides, will be posted on the FSIS Events & Meetings webpage for those who cannot attend. Additional guidelines on labeling and other topics are available here. FSIS Releases New HACCP Model FSIS has released a Generic Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Model for Thermally Processed, Commercially Sterile Product. Thermally processed, commercially sterile (TPCS) products are commonly referred to as canned products, although the containers can be metal cans, glass jars, flexible pouches, paperboard, and other types of hermetically sealed containers. The model may not necessarily apply to all operations or products. The flow diagram in the model demonstrates a general production process and should be modified to reflect the processes used at the establishment. As announced previously in the October 2, 2020 Constituent Update, FSIS updated its HACCP guide and multiple generic HACCP models. The agency has also developed a new Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (Sanitation SOP) guide. The guides and the models are intended to assist establishments in meeting regulatory requirements to produce safe and wholesome products. The updated guides and models reflect changes in FSIS policy and lessons learned about implementing HACCP since its inception. The materials include updated scientific references and footnotes containing explanatory guidance and links to related sources of information. Consistent with the previous models, each model includes a product description, ingredients list, production flow diagram, hazard analysis and HACCP plan. The revised Guideline for the Preparation of HACCP Plans leads an establishment through the process of developing a HACCP plan according to seven principles and provides links to additional reference materials. Templates are provided in the guide so the establishment can capture the product-specific information as demonstrated in the guide. The contents of the models are not binding. The documents are intended only to provide clarity regarding regulatory requirements. Additional models will be posted as they are revised. The Generic HACCP Model for Thermally Processed, Commercially Sterile Product is available here. USDA Solicits Public Comments on Investments and Opportunities for Meat and Poultry Processing Infrastructure On July 9, USDA announced it will commit $500 million of USDA's Build Back Better Initiative funds through the American Rescue Plan to support new competitive entrants in meat and poultry processing. USDA will provide grants, loans, and technical assistance to address concentration within the meat and poultry sectors and relieve supply chain bottlenecks by supporting new meat and poultry processing facilities. USDA has issued a Request for Information to solicit public input into its strategy to improve meat and poultry processing infrastructure, which is available on regulations.gov. Comments will be accepted through August 30, 2021. Comments can be submitted here. Updates to PHIS FSIS has updated the Public Health Information System (PHIS) user interface. The two updates include: - PHIS Home Screen - Each tile has actionable links, which allows the user to directly navigate to content.
- Industry Help Tile - This update allows industry users to access content more quickly.
Industry access to PHIS requires eAuthentication Level 2, which is managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. To register online and find the steps to complete the eAuth process, please click here. FSIS to Post Updated Dataset on Import Refusals On August 16, 2021, 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 re-inspected prior to product entering U.S. commerce. FSIS re-inspects 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, and the importer has up to 45 days (30 days for egg products) to have the product destroyed for use as human food, re-exported/returned 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). This dataset is updated around the 15th of each month and contains 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. FSIS to Post Individual Category Status and Aggregate Results for Poultry Carcasses, Chicken Parts, and Comminuted Poultry Tested for Salmonella On August 20, 2021, FSIS will update the individual establishment Salmonella performance standard category information for raw poultry carcasses, raw chicken parts, and comminuted poultry products on the Salmonella Verification Testing Program Monthly Posting page. Additionally, FSIS will post the aggregate sampling results showing the number of establishments in categories 1, 2, or 3 for establishments producing young chicken or turkey carcasses, raw chicken parts, or not ready-to-eat (NRTE) comminuted poultry products at the location linked above. Policy Update FSIS notices and directives on public health and regulatory issues are available at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/policy/directives-notices. The following policy update was recently issued: FSIS Notice 32-21 - Posting of Additional Informational Dashboards | 
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