Stakeholder Engagement and 2026 Priorities
In December, FSIS leadership hosted consumer and industry stakeholder meetings and webinars covering workforce modernization, smarter systems, laboratory updates, fee reductions for small and very small processors, and implementation of the new voluntary "Product of USA" labeling standard that went into effect January 1, 2026. As we look further ahead in 2026, we will continue to engage stakeholders on key priorities to bolster food safety and continue to look for ways to elevate our support to small and very small establishments and your important role in America's food supply chain. We are in the process of developing a robust, multiyear, and inclusive strategy outlining how we will continue to provide support to small and very small establishments that aligns with our mission. Areas we are paying close attention to include enhancing engagement and customer service and modernizing processes. Last week, for example, FSIS announced it would begin including language on small business rights in its Notice of Intended Enforcement letters and Notice of Suspension letters to provide additional resources and awareness for establishment owners (See FSIS Notice 01-26: Small Business Rights in FSIS Enforcement Letters). We plan to launch this new strategy in early 2026 and look forward to getting more feedback in the weeks ahead. Details will be shared in future Constituent Update and Updates for Small Plants newsletters.
Reminder: Registration for Salmonella Public Meeting Closes Today
Reminder: FSIS will host a hybrid public meeting on January 14, 2026, to gather input on innovative, practical, and science-based strategies to further reduce Salmonella illnesses associated with poultry products. This meeting is intended to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders. FSIS is seeking ideas from consumers, industry, researchers, and states on the use of data, performance standards, and policy options that support public health and work for establishments of all sizes. The last day to register is January 7.
RSVP to attend using the online registration form.
Written comments may be submitted by February 2, 2026. More details are available in the Federal Register notice. Additional details and reminders will be shared in future Constituent Update weekly newsletters.
FSIS All-Establishment Calls
We appreciate all those who responded to our survey about our monthly calls. These calls are an important way for us to share updates, answer your questions, and hear your concerns directly. We are going through the responses.
We continue to look for ways to elevate how we can support small and very small establishments and your important role in America's food supply chain. We are in the process of developing a robust, multiyear, and inclusive strategy outlining how we will continue to provide support to small and very small establishments that aligns with our mission in protecting public health. We plan to launch this new strategy in early 2026 and look forward to getting more feedback in the weeks ahead.
Our next all-establishment call will take place on January 21, 2026. Please email fsis@usda.gov with topics or questions you would like to see on the January agenda.
FSIS has issued updated labeling guidance to support industry implementation of the voluntary “Product of USA” labeling standard that will be effective Jan. 1, 2026. A recorded webinar is available on the FSIS website. The updated Directive 7221.1: Prior Labeling Approval for FSIS in plant personnel is also available.
FSIS discovered that more than 4,000 samples collected between June and July 2025 had not been transferred from FSIS’ laboratory information system into the Public Health Information System (PHIS). Of those, approximately 1,100 samples were from routine poultry sampling projects. As a result, this omission affected the accuracy of Salmonella sample counts and categorization for multiple establishments. Because of this, inaccurate data was reflected in PHIS reports and in the Salmonella Verification Testing Program Monthly Postings published in August and September.
The January report will be posted as scheduled, and all revised and delayed reports will be published once recalculations are complete. FSIS will issue a Constituent Update to notify stakeholders when the revised postings are available and when corrections to the affected moving windows in PHIS reports are finalized.
As outlined in the USDA’s Beef Industry Plan, FSIS expects to implement overtime and holiday inspection fee reductions for small and very small meat processors in early 2026, retroactive to October 1, 2025.
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:
Knowledge Article askFSIS Public Q&A:
As stated in the establishment's SIP letter, the establishment needs to maintain records for SIP in the same manner and for the same duration as HACCP records (9 CFR 417.5) and allow FSIS access to the records, as for any other HACCP record, including microbiological test results necessary to document Salmonella process control. In many cases, the establishment will collect the samples and send them to an outside lab for testing, which may take a few days for results to be received. There is no regulatory requirement that test results must be received back from the testing lab within a certain time interval. However, an establishment should make those results available to IPP as soon as they are received from the testing laboratory. If results are not readily available to FSIS, IPP should discuss and document the issue at the weekly meeting to inform the establishment that test results should be made available to IPP as soon as possible. In addition, without access to the results, the establishment cannot record and evaluate the results to determine if they are maintaining Salmonella process control (FSIS Directive 5020.1, Section VI).
FSIS Directive 5020.1, Verification Activities For the Use of New Technology in Meat and Poultry Establishments and Egg Products Plants.
Questions? Please submit them through askFSIS by filling out the web form on the FSIS website.
Visit AskUSDA.gov and include “askFSIS” in your search terms for more knowledge articles on this and other topics.
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