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USDA Announces Proposed Rule to Streamline Generic Labeling Approval Processes
The agency is proposing a new rule that will allow establishments to label a broader range of products
without first submitting the label to FSIS for approval. After the rule goes into effect, the agency will
continue to verify that labels are accurate, not misleading and in compliance with all labeling features.
The benefits of the proposed rule, if finalized, are twofold: it will help consumers by getting new products into
the marketplace sooner while still protecting them from misbranded products, and make the label approval process
more convenient and cost-effective for industry, especially smaller producers.
The proposed rule was posted on the FSIS website at
www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/
Proposed_Rules/index.asp
and soon will publish in the Federal Register.
Individuals are invited to submit comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
www.regulations.gov until Feb. 3, 2012. Comments may also be mailed to
USDA, FSIS, OPPD, RIMD, Docket Clearance Unit, Patriots Plaza III, 355 E St., S.W., Rm. 8-164, Washington,
D.C. 20024-3221. All items submitted must include the docket number FSIS-2005-0016.
In addition, webinars on this subject will be held on Jan. 12, 2012 and Feb. 14, 2012 at 2 p.m. ET. To access the
webinar, go to https://connect16.uc.att.com/usda/meet/?ExEventID=85277207
and follow the on-screen instructions. For questions, contact Kristin Goodwin at (301) 504-0878 or
kristin.goodwin@fsis.usda.gov.
FSIS Posts New Report on Microbiological and Residue Sampling Programs
The agency is featuring on its website a new report on Microbiological and Residue Sampling Programs
(www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/
FSIS_Sampling_Programs_Report.pdf).
This document serves as the first of a two-part effort by FSIS to increase transparency and share information on
the agency's microbiological and residue sampling efforts.
In September 2011, FSIS published the FSIS Strategic Plan for FY2011-2016
(www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Strategic_Plan_2011-2016.pdf).
The plan, as a part of FSIS' goal to ensure that food safety inspection aligns with existing and emerging risks,
identifies the agency's commitment to developing a sampling report that comprehensively identifies and describes
FSIS sampling programs.
This report was developed to address that commitment and is being released now to reflect FSIS' commitment to
transparency and providing information on the agency's sampling programs in a timely manner. The report was
developed with input from all FSIS program areas and includes information on how the agency's sampling programs
were carried out in fiscal year 2011. Specifically, with the publication of this report, FSIS is documenting
its current approach to microbiological and residue sampling and includes information on the historical basis,
design, statistical/policy basis and limitations of FSIS' current sampling programs.
A second part of this effort, which is currently in development, is the FSIS Annual Sampling Program Plan,
which will identify programmatic sampling changes that will be implemented by the agency in FY2012. FSIS
anticipates that it will share this plan publicly by early CY2012.
For more information about the report or to offer feedback, contact Christopher Alvares at (202) 690-6418.
FSIS Method Extension
The FSIS CLG Method, Screening and Confirmation of
Aminoglycosides by UHPLC-MS-MS has been updated to extend to porcine tissues (kidney, liver and muscle) to
improve the handling of sample extraction and to include lower levels of applicability for several analyses.
The method will be posted to the FSIS Chemistry Laboratory Guidebook once finalized, with an effective date no
earlier than Dec. 15.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements
for the following countries:
Complete information can be found at
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
Register for Webinar on Nutrition Labeling Rule
FSIS is delaying the effective date of the final rule that will require nutrition labeling of the major cuts of
single-ingredient, raw meat and poultry products and ground or chopped meat and poultry products. The original
effective date of the final rule was Jan. 1, 2012, but it is now being delayed until March 1, 2012.
The new effective date will ensure that industry has adequate time to comply with the requirements of the final rule.
The Federal Register notice announcing the delay of the effective date was published today
(www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Interim_&_Final_Rules/index.asp).
Webinars on this subject will be held on Dec. 13, 2011, Jan. 18, 2012 and Feb 28, 2012 at 2 p.m. ET.
To access the webinar, go to
https://connect16.uc.att.com/usda/meet/?ExEventID=85277207
and follow the on-screen instructions. For questions, contact Kristin Goodwin at (301) 504-0878 or kristin.goodwin@fsis.usda.gov.
Regulatory Webinar Available on Recalls of Products With Undeclared Allergens
The agency will host a webinar on Jan. 10, 2012 and Feb. 7, 2012 to provide guidance on addressing a recent increase
of products recalled because of undeclared allergens.
The discussion will focus on the steps establishments can take to prevent production of items containing undeclared
allergens. Both webinars will begin at 2:00 p.m. ET.
To access the webinar, go to https://connect16.uc.att.com/usda/meet/?ExEventID=85277207
and follow the on-screen instructions. For questions, contact Kristin Goodwin at (301) 504-0878 or
kristin.goodwin@fsis.usda.gov.
Updates on FSIS Testing for E. coli
Weekly updates for the agency's raw beef E. coli sampling program are posted to the FSIS website.
For comparative previous and current year results, go to
www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/
Ground_Beef_E.coli_Testing_Results/index.asp.
FSIS Posts Humane Handling Enforcement Reports
FSIS has posted on its website a Humane Handling Quarterly Report. The report provides an overview of humane
handling and slaughter procedures performed by FSIS inspection program personnel in federally inspected livestock
slaughter facilities.
Additionally, the report includes tables that illustrate the total number of procedures performed by in-plant
personnel to verify appropriate handling, and displaying a percentage of those procedure found non-compliant.
The report shows the time, in hours, devoted to performing the humane handling procedures as documented in the
Humane Application Tracking System. Finally, it provides a rate of enforcement suspension, taken for humane
handling violations and compares the suspension count to the total number of humane handling procedures performed
for the 12 month period ending March 31, 2011.
To view these results, go to www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Humane_Handling_Enforcement_Reports/index.asp.
Get Answers at askFSIS
AskFSIS is a web-based technology and policy question-and-answer forum on topics such as exporting,
labeling, inspection, programs and procedures.
In addition, askFSIS offers Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds that link back to the Q&As. To
view recently posted topics, visit http://askfsis.custhelp.com/.
FSIS Policy Update
FSIS issues notices and directives to protect public health. The following policy update was recently issued:
- Notice 70-11, Recording Inspection Tasks as Not Performed in the Public Health Information System
All notices and directives are available at www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/index.asp.
Visit USDA's Blog
Every day, the USDA Blog shares something new about its expansive mission. The blog provides a rich and diverse
look at the work within the department, spanning the nation-and even the world-and highlights the breadth of
USDA programs and the role they play in the lives of every American.
Go to http://blogs.usda.gov/ and see what's happening within the agency and across the department.
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Last Modified:
January 10, 2012 |
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