Food Industry Regulatory Update May 21, 2021

In this Week’s Edition:

FSIS Revises Foodborne Illness Investigation Directive
CDC Concludes Queso Fresco Outbreak Over
FSIS Revises COVID-19 Precautions Policy for Personnel
APHIS Proposes Allowing Imports of Fresh Melons with Stems from Japan
USDA Releases Progress Report on Climate-Smart Agriculture
FSIS Updates List of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
FDA Import Alerts
FDA Warning Letters

FDA Revises Foodborne Illness Investigation Directive

The directive revises procedures FSIS staff are to follow when investigating foodborne illnesses potentially associated with FSIS-regulated meat, poultry, or processed egg products. It also identifies the factors that trigger an FSIS foodborne illness investigation. The Agency is reissuing this directive to reflect changes in organization structures, laboratory methodology for microbial characterization, and responsibilities during a foodborne illness investigation.

CDC Concludes Queso Fresco Outbreak Over

FDA’s CORE table has been updated to reflect CDC’s position.

FSIS Revises COVID-19 Precautions Policy for Personnel

FSIS has instructed in-plant, laboratory, and in-commerce personnel to follow the below guidance:

If they are fully vaccinated (at least 2 weeks past their final dose), they are no longer required to wear a face mask and/or face shield or practice physical distancing in federal establishments, those facilities requesting voluntary inspection, laboratories, and locations where in-commerce duties are conducted.
Fully vaccinated FSIS personnel may elect to continue wearing face masks and/or face shields based on their level of comfort.
If the establishment or other facilities where duties are being conducted require face masks and/or face shields, FSIS employees will continue to follow those requirements.
If they are not fully vaccinated (at least 2 weeks past their final dose), CDC guidance indicates they should continue to wear a face mask and face shield and maintain physical distancing consistent with the requirements set forth in the FSIS workplace safety plan.

FSIS inspection personnel will continue to follow requirements establishments have for their personnel to control exposure, including wearing face masks and/or face shields, physical distancing, and monitoring procedures.