Constituent Update - March 20, 2026

FSIS Launches Safe and Suitable Ingredients API for Real-Time Updates

Today, FSIS released a new tool that gives software developers and technical users direct, real-time access to the Safe and Suitable Ingredients list. The Safe and Suitable Ingredients Application Programming Interface (API) joins the existing APIs for recall data and the Meat, Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Directory (MPI Directory) on the FSIS Developer Resources page.

An API is a secure, automated connection between systems. Instead of manually checking the FSIS website for updates, your internal systems can connect directly to ours to pull the latest information instantly. This API delivers real-time data, so your systems stay aligned with FSIS requirements without the administrative burden of manual checks.

Software developers can integrate Safe and Suitable Ingredients data into existing compliance tools, inventory management systems, or new products that serve establishments, businesses, and researchers. Any system that connects to the API receives updates as soon as FSIS publishes them.

APIs are part of FSIS' broader modernization effort to strengthen digital tools, expand public access to information, and support innovation that drives stronger food safety outcomes.

Visit the FSIS Developer Resources page to get started.

Export Library Updates for Animal Health Restrictions - Changes Coming April 1

Starting on April 1, 2026, animal health restriction information negotiated by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) impacting exports of FSIS inspected products will be housed on the APHIS website. In an effort to optimize resources and streamline processes, FSIS and APHIS have agreed to house and maintain these updates on the APHIS public website. This change will streamline and expedite the process, ensuring that inspection program personnel and industry have time-sensitive information to help them identify products that are ineligible for export due to animal health restrictions. The FSIS Export Library pages for countries with animal health restrictions will include a link to the APHIS website where the information can be viewed and verified by FSIS inspection program personnel performing export certification duties and stakeholders.

Questions? Please submit them through askFSIS by filling out the web form on the FSIS website.

Stakeholder Engagement

On March 19, Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears spoke at the United States Animal Health Association Government Relations Committee meeting in Washington, D.C. Federal and state animal health officials, veterinary and regulatory policy experts, livestock and industry stakeholders, and federal food safety partners attended.

Dr. Brashears stressed the link between animal health and food safety. "Prevention of foodborne illness begins at the animal level," she said, "and veterinary expertise is what ensures that prevention is grounded in science and applied consistently across the country." She called for strong federal-state coordination, veterinary expertise, and science-based decision-making in protecting public health.

Dr. Brashears also addressed current and emerging challenges, including efforts to prevent the introduction of New World Screwworm and the agency's ongoing work to strengthen pathogen controls through expanded testing and data-driven oversight. She noted the importance of collaboration across government and industry to respond to risks effectively and maintain public confidence in the food supply.

Dr. Mindy Brashears speaking at the United States Animal Health Association Government Relations Committee meeting in Washington, D.C. Photo by Special Assistant Michael Starnes.

FSIS Updated Import Presented Refused and Import Refusal Reason Datasets

Today, FSIS updated the Import Presented Refused and Import Refusal Reason datasets on the Import and Export Data page. The Import Presented Refused dataset includes lot-level information for import volume along with import refusal data at the lot-level. The Import Refusal Reason is provided as a secondary dataset, providing each refusal reason as its own row to facilitate analysis.

The Import Presented Refused and Import Refusal Reason datasets are updated monthly and posted the third Friday of each month, with data broken out by fiscal year (FY), starting with data from FY 2014 (starting on October 1, 2013) through the most recent FY. These datasets are released in an open, non-proprietary comma separated values (csv) format. Instructions on how to open csv files using Excel are available on the FSIS Sampling web page in the Comma Separated Values Guide section.

UPDATE on the askFSIS Transition

In last week's CU, we announced upcoming changes to askFSIS. Due to unforeseen technical issues, users may not be redirected from the Ask USDA (ask.usda.gov) website to the new askFSIS location. When this change takes effect on March 23, 2026, at 5 p.m., visit ask.fsis.usda.gov and bookmark it for future use. Note: The link will not work until the change goes live on March 23 at 5 p.m. Bookmarking the new address now will help you avoid broken links once USDA retires the Ask USDA (ask.usda.gov) site in early April.

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 April 13: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Sanitation SOPs and Pathogen Reduction/HACCP
• Until April 20: Maximum Line Speed Under the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System (NSIS)
• Until April 20: Maximum Line Speed Rates for Young Chicken and Turkey Establishments Operating Under the New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS)
• Until May 11: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Nutrition Labeling of Major Cuts of Single-Ingredient Raw Meat or Poultry Products and Ground or Chopped Meat and Poultry Products
• Until May 18: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Public Health Information System: Public Health Information System (PHIS)

Policy Update

FSIS notices and directives on public health and regulatory issues are available on the FSIS Policy webpage. The following policy update was recently issued:

FSIS Notice 13-26: Ordering Instructions for Specialty Supplies, Office Supplies, and Forms

Docket No. FSIS-2025-0343: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Procedures for the Notification of New Technology and Requests for Waivers

Export Requirements Update

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

• Azerbaijan
• North Macedonia
• China
• Japan
• Taiwan
• Korea

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