USDA FSIS Constituent Update: USDA Website for the Latest Information on COVID-19

You are subscribed to Constituent Update for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. A new or updated issue is now available.

USDA Website for the Latest Information on COVID-19

The COVID-19 outbreak is a rapidly changing situation. USDA is not aware of any reports at this time of human illnesses that suggest COVID-19 can be transmitted by food or food packaging. However, it is always important to follow good hygiene practices (i.e., wash hands and surfaces often, separate raw meat from other foods, cook to the right temperature, and refrigerate foods promptly) when handling or preparing foods. For further information, please go to https://www.usda.gov/coronavirus.

FSIS Announces Results of Raw Pork Products Study

FSIS is announcing the availability of results from the second phase of the Raw Pork Products Exploratory Sampling Program (Baseline Study). The study was conducted from June 1, 2017 through May 31, 2018, to determine the prevalence of Salmonella and assess the occurrence of Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in a variety of raw pork products. In total, 4,014 samples from slaughter and processing establishments were analyzed for Salmonella; a subset of these samples (1,395) from slaughter establishments were analyzed for STEC.

FSIS Announces Program Leadership Changes

Carl Mayes has been named the Associate Chief Information Officer (CIO), replacing Bajinder Paul, who is now the Deputy CIO at USDA. Carl previously served as Assistant Administrator for the Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit (OIEA) since 2015. In OIEA, he led the agency’s surveillance and investigation activities for incidents of foodborne illness outbreaks and enforcement and litigation functions. Prior to working in OIEA, Carl was FSIS’ Deputy Chief Information Officer. He joined FSIS in August 2009 and previously spent 21 years in the U.S. Air Force.

 

FSIS Posts Next Set of Establishment-Specific Datasets

 

FSIS is preparing to publish the next set of establishment-specific datasets as announced in the Federal Register on July 14, 2016 (Docket No. FSIS-2014-0032). Prior to publishing these datasets, FSIS is making sample datasets available. The next sample dataset and corresponding data documentation is for the Intensified Verification Testing (IVT) sampling program for ready-to-eat (RTE) products, which can be found on the Establishment-Specific Datasets: Laboratory Sampling Data web page at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/data-collection-and-reports/data/datasets-laboratory-sampling.

FSIS Recognizes U.K. as Single Food Safety Inspection System and Reinstatement Granted for Raw Beef Exports to U.S.

 

FSIS has completed its review of the United Kingdom’s raw beef products inspection system to be considered a single food safety inspection system. This review included an assessment of the United Kingdom’s self-reporting tool (SRT) documentation and in-country verification audit conducted from July 15 - August 2, 2019.  FSIS has determined that the U.K. meets the equivalence criteria for FSIS to recognize it as a single food safety inspection system that encompasses England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, and to grant a reinstatement of equivalence for Britain’s raw beef products inspection system.  The U.K. is eligible to export raw beef products to the U.S. derived from cattle slaughtered on and after March 6, 2020. 

FSIS Posts Annual Sampling Plan

Sampling of product for microbiological contaminants or chemical residues is a key FSIS activity to ensure public health and safety. FSIS has published its FY 2020 Annual Sampling Plan, which identifies changes to FSIS’ sampling programs planned for FY 2020 and describes the agency’s overall strategy for directing its sampling resources. The FSIS Strategic Plan for FY 2017-2021 includes an objective to strengthen FSIS sampling programs and the activities in the FY 2020 Annual Sampling Plan directly align with the FSIS’ FY 2020 Annual Plan. The changes to the sampling plan support FSIS’ modernization efforts by maximizing public health benefits through prioritizing testing by degree of hazard.