Constituent Update - July 2, 2026

Constituent Update - July 2, 2026

USDA Announced the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR)

On June 30, Secretary Rollins announced the SPUR program to provide temporary support for eligible beef processing establishments. The program will support stronger and more stable market opportunities for American ranchers. This is another important step in USDA's Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry.

"Small and mid-size beef processors are essential to maintain the diversity of America's food system," said Under Secretary for Food Safety Mindy Brashears. "Supporting this processing capacity helps preserve market options for our United States ranchers, strengthens regional supply chains and ensures American families continue to have access to safe, high-quality beef produced here at home."

The program will be administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Entities eligible to receive funding under SPUR must be beef processing establishments under federal inspection, the Talmadge-Aiken Cooperative Inspection Program, or the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program. Establishments must be U.S. owned and not nationally dominant in beef processing (nor owned by an entity that is).

FSIS will share any additional details put out by FSA about this program in a future Constituent Update.

Fireworks, Flavor, and a 250th Birthday: How to Keep Cookout Favorites Food Safe

On June 30, Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears gave some simple steps to help prevent foodborne illness. "Keeping perishables in coolers or insulated containers, following a 2-hour rule (or 1-hour when temperatures are above 90 F), and grilling meats to safe internal temperatures are easy ways to protect friends and family from harmful bacteria as we all celebrate America's 250th birthday."

Dr. Brashears' message emphasizes the cornerstone of how FSIS protects public health by ensuring food is safe and wholesome. Learn more about keeping your cookout favorites safe for the holiday weekend.

FSIS at the Great American State Fair

The Great American State Fair (GASF) kicked off last week on the National Mall as part of America's 250th anniversary celebration. This great fair brings together all 56 states and territories to celebrate America's agriculture, food, culture, and innovation. This 16-day event has daily themes aimed at celebrating the traditions and spirit that makes America the greatest nation.

FSIS will be at an exhibit table at USDA's Farmer's Market on July 3, 4, 7, and 8 with hands-on engagement activities for families and kids. Attendees can play the Food Safety Challenge and spin the trivia wheel to test their food safety knowledge. Prizes will be awarded to those that answer questions correctly. At the Family Take-Away Hub, visitors can pick up food safety brochures and quick-reference sheets that are relevant to their own household. For our younger visitors, FSIS is rolling out a new set of colorful, patriotic-themed stickers, and coloring pages with crayons. If you're in the National Capitol Region this weekend, stop in to see FSIS.

FSIS Announced Expansion of Career Options for SPHVs

On June 25, FSIS announced that it was enhancing how the agency recruits and retains veterinarians by creating a new career ladder for District Veterinary Medical Officer (DVMO) positions. The new job announcements opened on Monday, June 29, and current Supervisory Public Health Veterinarians and DVMOs are eligible. This career ladder will help attract and retain new veterinarians while filling vacant DVMO positions. The positions will give veterinarians the opportunity to build a career at FSIS while allowing them to choose between a supervisory or non-supervisory career path. FSIS remains committed to developing its talented professionals and ensuring that employees have a long, fulfilling career.

FSIS to Host Webinar on Modernized PHIS Export 9060 Process

FSIS invites exporters and trade groups to a webinar demonstrating the modernized Public Health Information System (PHIS) Export 9060 process. The session will walk participants through the updated export application workflow and is planned ahead of the July 17 deployment to the PHIS Industry Test Environment.

Two sessions are scheduled on July 16, to accommodate participants' schedules. The content will be identical in both sessions, so participants may join either one.

• Session 1 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. ET: Modernized PHIS Export 9060 Process
• Session 2 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. ET: Modernized PHIS Export 9060 Process (encore)

Each session is approximately 90 minutes and will be recorded. A link to the recording will be made available after the event for those unable to attend live.

The modernized 9060 export process will be available in the PHIS Industry Test Environment (ITE) beginning July 17, giving exporters an opportunity to explore the new workflow before it deploys to the PHIS production environment in late September 2026. Content will be developed and delivered by the PHIS program team in collaboration with the PHIS contractor.

This webinar is one part of a broader communications effort that includes updated PHIS Help tutorials and articles in the FSIS Constituent Update and Small Plant Newsletter. Participants will have an opportunity to submit questions during the session. For questions about this webinar, please contact [email protected].

FSIS Posted Updated Datasets

On July 2, 2026, 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 comminuted poultry products at the location linked above.

The following datasets were also updated to include the latest quarter of data:

1. Quarterly establishment-specific laboratory sampling datasets:
   
   • Raw Poultry Product Sampling
   • Egg Product Sampling
   • Raw Beef Product Sampling
   • Ready-to-Eat Product Sampling
   • Raw Pork Product Sampling
   • National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) Cecal Sampling Data
2. Quarterly establishment-specific datasets on inspection tasks:
   • Livestock Humane Handling Inspection Tasks
   • Poultry Good Commercial Practices Inspection Tasks

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

Export Requirements Update

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

FSIS:

• Canada
• Chile
• Thailand

APHIS:

• Kazakhstan

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.