Constituent Update - October 30, 2026

Constituent Update - October 30, 2026

FSIS to Host Open House at Midwestern Laboratory

On Nov. 17, FSIS will host an open house at its new Midwestern Laboratory, located at 7654 Natural Bridge Rd., Normandy, Mo. 63121.

The open house will give stakeholders, partners, educators, students, and community members an opportunity to meet with FSIS leadership and laboratory staff. During a tour of the building, attendees will learn how the new facility expands FSIS' laboratory capabilities and supports future growth, while also gaining insight into the critical role laboratory testing plays in ensuring the safety of the nation's food supply. Attendees will also have the chance to learn more about student and career opportunities.

Space is limited. Registration will be capped at 50 participants, and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Please limit to two guests per organization or company.

You can register on the FSIS website.

Stakeholder Engagement

She discussed the Salmonella SAFE Strategy, which stands for Science, Action, Faster Response, and Effective Control. She also shared early results from an Agricultural Research Service study reviewing different methods that go beyond presence/absence and offers rapid Salmonella quantification on poultry products.

On Listeria, Dr. Brashears showed how FSIS is using better data to catch risks earlier and prevent foodborne illness. She described FSIS' recent efforts in ready-to-eat (RTE) establishments, outlining a plan to expand routine verification sampling in RTE establishments to include food contact surfaces (FCS) and non-food contact surfaces (NFCS). The nationwide rollout starts in January 2027 across all nine FSIS districts. FSIS inspection personnel will collect surface swabs during existing product sampling events; there will be no new regulatory requirements and no additional product holds. In the event one of the FCS/NFCS FSIS samples is positive, proper source identification and corrective actions will be reviewed as part of the effectiveness of the HACCP plan.

FSIS Updates Import Resources on the PHIS Components Webpage

FSIS has updated the Import section of its Public Health Information System (PHIS) Components webpage to include additional information on electronic certification for imported meat, poultry, and egg products. The updates provide stakeholders with access to resources related to the PHIS import component, including information on implementation, PHIS access, policy documents, and electronic certification processes. Importers, customs brokers, foreign governments, and other stakeholders are encouraged to review the updated resources.

Additional PHIS user guides, quick-reference materials, and other resources are available on the FSIS Public Health Information System webpage. Stakeholders with policy questions may submit them through https://www.fsis.usda.gov/askFSIS.

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 November 6: Proposed Additions to the Laboratory Sampling Datasets. Email [email protected] and include "Product Name Addition" in the subject line.
• Until November 9: Notice of Request to Renew an Approved Information Collection: Mechanically Tenderized Beef Products.
• Until November 13: Proposed Updates to Import Datasets. Email [email protected] and include "Import Dataset Enhancements" in the subject line.

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 42-26: Training For Inspection Program Personnel To Collect Routine Food Contact Surface And Non-Food Contact Surface Samples In Establishments Producing Post-Lethality Exposed Ready-To-Eat Products

FSIS Notice 43-26: Instructions For Routine Food Contact Surface And Non-Food Contact Surface Sample Collection In Establishments Producing Post-Lethality Exposed Ready-To-Eat Products

Export Requirements Update

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

FSIS:

• Chile
• Japan
• China

APHIS:

• Japan
• Azerbaijan
• Albania
• China
• Taiwan
• Mexico

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.