Constituent Update - June 12, 2026

Constituent Update - June 12, 2026

New World Screwworm Message from Dr. Brashears

Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears recorded a short message on New World screwworm and what it means for the meat and poultry products in commerce. Her point is direct: New World screwworm is a serious animal health issue, not a food safety issue.

In the message, Dr. Brashears reminds the public and industry that all meat and poultry products must meet USDA food safety standards before they can be sold, and that any product that fails to meet those standards cannot enter the food supply. "New World Screwworm is a serious animal health issue, but it is not a food safety issue. It is not a foodborne pathogen, and it is not a disease in meat or poultry products. USDA inspection requirements remain in place, and no meat or poultry product that fails to meet food safety standards can be sold."

This reinforces the food safety facts FSIS shared in the June 5 Constituent Update: screwworms do not infest meat, FSIS personnel examine every eligible animal under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, and any product that does not meet food safety standards is kept out of the commercial food supply.

Watch Dr. Brashears' message.

Update: Salmonella Categorization Postings

Today, FSIS posted revised Salmonella Verification Testing Program Monthly Postings for the following months:

• August 2025
• October 2025
• December 2025
• January 2026
• February 2026
• March 2026
• April 2026
• May 2026

FSIS recently identified that approximately 450 laboratory samples had not transferred from the agency's laboratory information system into the Public Health Information Systems (PHIS). As a result, Salmonella sample counts and associated categorization values for a small number of establishments were not accurately reflected in previously posted categorization data.

FSIS has addressed and corrected the issue in PHIS. The updated postings now accurately reflect all sample results, and the impact was limited to 10 establishments.

To prevent this type of issue from occurring in the future, FSIS has implemented strengthened controls to quickly flag and resolve any data transfer irregularities between its laboratory information system and PHIS.

FSIS samples establishments producing young chicken and turkey carcasses, raw chicken parts, and not-ready-to-eat comminuted chicken and turkey products so that it can more closely monitor an establishment's process control over time. FSIS uses these Salmonella sampling results to assess establishment performance during a reference period of one completed 52-week moving window based on a 3-category system.

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 July 6: Availability of Revised Food Safety Guideline for Egg Products

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 Directive 4550.2: Garnishment of Wages for Child Support, Alimony, and Commercial Debt - Revision 4

FSIS Notice 24-26: Training Requirement for International Travel

Export Requirements Update

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

FSIS:

• Mexico

APHIS:

• Azerbaijan
• Albania
• Mexico
• Japan

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

Complete information for APHIS products can be found at Export Restrictions on U.S. Animal Products for Human Consumption website. Select the countries listed above from the drop down menu for complete information.