Instructions to Submit Online Comments on the Proposed Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products – due by January 17, 2025

As announced on July 29, 2024, FSIS issued a comprehensive proposed rule and determination to more effectively reduce Salmonella contamination and illnesses associated with raw poultry products. On October 11, 2024, FSIS announced that the comment period for the proposed rule and determination was extended until January 17, 2025.

FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this document and wants to ensure that individuals have the detailed instructions necessary to submit a comment online. Commenters have multiple channels to submit their comments, including online through the Federal eRulemaking Portal, by mail, or Hand- or courier-delivered submittals.

To submit an online comment through the Federal eRulemaking Portal, follow these instructions:

• Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov, for access to the rulemaking docket.
• Click on the search bar, type in the phrase, “Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products,” and then click “Search.”
• Click on the proposed rule titled, “Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products.”
• Click the “Comment” button found on the left side of this page.
• On the “Write a Comment” webpage, a list of tips for submitting comments can be reached by clicking on the “Commenter's Checklist” link.
• Commenters are not required to submit their email address along with their comment and can submit comments anonymously if preferred.
• If an email is provided, commenters can opt to receive email confirmation of submission and a tracking number. However, if you choose to identify as anonymous, the option to receive an email confirmation will not be displayed.
• Commenters may also choose from three options in order to identify themselves as:
  • an individual, meaning yourself or another person whom you represent with their consent;
  • an organization, such as a company, organization, or government agency; or
  • anonymous, to mean a person who does not want their name associated with the comment.
• Lastly, ensure that the CAPTCHA test below the identity selection section has been completed. Then, you may click “Submit Comment.”

It is important to note that commenters should not submit personally identifiable information through this form. Any personally identifiable information (e.g., name, address, phone number) included in the comment form or in an attachment may be publicly disclosed in a docket or on the internet.

If you require assistance submitting a comment, please email the Regulations.gov Help Desk at regulationshelpdesk@gsa.gov or call 1-866-498-2945.

2025 Rates for the Basetime, Overtime, Holiday, Laboratory Services, and Export Application Fees

On December 30, 2024, FSIS published a Federal Register notice announcing the 2025 fees it will charge meat, poultry, and egg products establishments, importers, and exporters for providing voluntary, overtime, and holiday inspection, identification, certification, and laboratory services. Additionally, FSIS announced a change to the fee FSIS assesses to exporters that choose to apply for export certificates electronically through the export component of the agency's Public Health Information System. The rate changes will be applied on January 12, 2025.

The following table lists the 2025 rates per hour, per employee, by type of service.

FSIS and FDA Extend Comment Period on Joint Request for Information on Food Date Labeling

FSIS and FDA are extending the comment period by 30 days for a joint Request for Information (RFI) on industry practices and preferences for date labeling, research results on consumer perceptions of date labeling, and any impact date labeling may have on food waste and grocery costs. The comment period will now end on March 5, 2025. 

Comments may be submitted online via the federal eRulemaking portal, available at www.regulations.gov; by mail sent to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Washington, DC 20250-3700, or by hand or courier delivery to 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 350-E, Washington, DC 20250-3700. All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the agency name and docket number FSIS-2024-0021.

FSIS Announces Changes in Leadership Positions

FSIS has made several recent changes to its leadership team including the Offices of Public Health Science, Field Operations, Employee Experience and Development, and the Chief Financial Officer. Please visit the FSIS Programs & Offices webpage for more information about FSIS leadership.

FSIS Announces Stronger Measures to Protect the Public from Listeria monocytogenes

On December 17, 2024, FSIS announced several new steps to strengthen the agency’s oversight of food processing facilities it regulates and ensure safe food. These steps reflect the agency’s continual effort to protect public health through science-based regulation, strong enforcement, and advancement of its prevention-first approach to eliminating foodborne illness.

FSIS and ARS Publish Article on Raised Without Antibiotics Exploratory Study

FSIS and Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have published the results of the exploratory sampling program that assessed whether antibiotic residues are detected in cattle intended for product with a raised without antibiotics (RWA) claim.

The article, “Antibiotic Residues in Cattle Reported to be Raised Without Antibiotics,” was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a peer reviewed journal that focuses on the chemistry and biochemistry of agriculture and food. The exploratory study found at least one antibiotic residue in samples from 37 of the 189 animals (20%) identified as raised without antibiotics.

Additional Updates on PHIS Export Implementation with Mexico

As noted in the November 15, 2024, Constituent Update, FSIS is providing additional updates as Public Health Information System (PHIS) export implementation with Mexico continues.

FSIS has increased the processing capacity of PHIS and made additional information-technology (IT) improvements to ensure the system is working as efficiently as possible for exporters and foreign government users. FSIS is also planning additional enhancements to further improve users’ experience. FSIS continues to seek user feedback on system performance at PHISTechnicalQA@usda.gov.

To export to Mexico and other countries that require additional FSIS certification of an establishment, the establishment profile information in PHIS needs to match the listing on the country’s eligible establishment list for the appropriate country. If the establishment information on the country listing and export application and certificate do not exactly match, a shipment may be rejected by Mexico. The establishment profile information in PHIS is the data source for the Meat, Poultry, and Egg Product Inspection (MPI) directory. Establishment information can be viewed by searching the FSIS Inspected Establishment Listings of the MPI directory.

FSIS Posts Quarterly Updates to Establishment-Specific Datasets

FSIS updated the following establishment-specific laboratory sampling datasets:

• Raw Poultry Product Sampling
• Egg Product Sampling
• Raw Beef Product Sampling
• Ready-to-Eat Product Sampling
• Siluriformes Product Sampling
• Raw Pork Product Sampling
• NARMS Cecal Sampling Data

In addition, FSIS updated the following establishment-specific datasets on inspection tasks:

• Livestock Humane Handling Inspection Tasks
• Poultry Good Commercial Practices Inspection Tasks

FSIS Posts Individual Category Status and Aggregate Results for Poultry Carcasses, Chicken Parts, and Comminuted Poultry Tested for Salmonella

FSIS updated 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 on the FSIS website. Additionally, FSIS posted the aggregate sampling results showing the number of establishments in categories 1, 2, or 3 for establishments producing young poultry carcasses, raw chicken parts, or not ready-to-eat (NRTE) comminuted poultry products at the location linked above.

FSIS Announces Uniform Compliance Date for Food Labeling Regulations

FSIS has announced that January 1, 2028, will be the uniform compliance date for new meat and poultry product labeling regulations published between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026. This means that meat and poultry product labeling rules published during this time go into effect on January 1, 2028.

Since 2004, FSIS has set uniform compliance dates for new labeling regulations in two-year increments. This timing increases industry’s ability to make orderly adjustments to new labeling requirements without exposing consumers to outdated labels. This approach allows meat and poultry producers to plan for the use of label inventories and to develop new labeling materials that meet the new requirements. It also serves to reduce the economic impact of changing labels on both producers and consumers.

PHIS Q&A

Question: As an establishment employee, where can I go if I have issues with PHIS?

Answer: For problems with accessing PHIS or unexpected error messages or technical problems while using PHIS, please contact the FSIS Office of the Chief Information Officer, Customer Assistance Branch by calling 1 (800) 473-9135 or email FSISITCustomerAssistance@usda.gov.

For information on how to manage accounts and use the various features in PHIS, please refer to the PHIS Industry User Guide and other helpful information on the FSIS website PHIS page, by navigating to the “Inspection” page, then choosing “Compliance Guidance” and then “PHIS”:  Public Health Information System (PHIS) | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov).

For a series of tutorials on how to perform various functions in PHIS, please refer to PHIS Help (usda.gov), which can also be found on the PHIS page of the FSIS website.

For problems with PHIS export applications, please email PHISTechnicalQA@usda.gov.

Visit PHIS Help for Industry for additional resources.

Knowledge Article

askFSIS Public Q&A: What is the definition of “dressed poultry?” Does it include ALL raw poultry (whole birds, cut-up parts, giblets, deboned product, marinated product, necks, paws, etc.)?

“Dressed poultry,” for the application of this section of the regulations, is slaughtered, defeathered, eviscerated whole birds with the head and feet removed, i.e., a ready-to-cook whole bird. Prepared or processed poultry, e.g., cut-up, marinated, breaded, etc., products are not considered to be dressed poultry and would be governed under under subsection (a) not (b) of 381.126.

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.

Have a topic you would like to see covered? Email us at: fsis@usda.gov