Civil Law

FSIS seeking public comments on a number of proposed rules and regulations for the USDA

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service are seeking public comments on proposed rules and notices, which are viewable on the FSIS Federal Register & Rulemaking webpage.

Of note is that FSIS extended the written comment period on the proposed Salmonella framework to Dec. 16, 2022. Written comments should be submitted through Regulations.gov. Visit the FSIS website to view the Federal Register notice and details on how to comment.

FSIS is currently seeking comments on the following:

  • Until December 16: Proposed Framework for Controlling Salmonella
… Read the rest
Civil Law

Consumer groups encourage USDA secretary to continue efforts to make chicken products safer

Several groups, including Consumer Reports and STOP Foodborne Illness, have written to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack in support of increased food safety efforts regarding Salmonella in poultry.

The groups describe current regulations as “antiquated” and encourage the secretary to move forward to develop new and enforceable standards that are product based. They say such changes are “a commonsense approach” and will help protect consumers from dangerous Salmonella-contaminated poultry.

“These reforms are urgently needed. Salmonella illness rates in the United States … Read the rest

Civil Law

USDA investigates new outbreak of E. coli infections; focus on ground beef

Federal officials have opened an investigation into an outbreak of E. Coli O157:H7 infections suspected to be linked to ground beef.

Other than the fact there is an open investigation, no other published information is available from the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The FSIS has not indicated what producers or what brands of ground beef might be involved. The agency also has not revealed how many people have been infected or what states are involved.

The FSIS … Read the rest