Source: USDA, 6/8/18

On Jan. 9, 2018, FSIS announced a critical step forward in making egg products safer for Americans to eat. FSIS is proposing to modernize egg products inspection by bringing egg product plants under Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) regulations. Meat and poultry plants have been operating under HACCP since the publication of the PR/HACCP rule in 1997. Under HACCP, egg products plants will be required to develop HACCP systems and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (Sanitation SOPs) and to meet other sanitation requirements consistent with the meat and poultry regulations. FSIS is proposing that official plants will be required to produce egg products in such a way that the finished product is free of detectable pathogens. The regulatory amendment also uses the Agency’s resources more efficiently and removes unnecessary regulatory obstacles to innovation.

Also, the proposed rule would move the jurisdiction of egg substitutes to FSIS. Egg substitutes would follow the same requirements as proposed for eggs products since they are similar, if not identical, to currently amenable egg products and subject to the same food safety risks during processing. The comment period ends on June 13, 2018. To view the proposed rule, please visit: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/a63034b9-2204-45ca-a35d-bbb0345b86eb/2005-0015.pdf?MOD=AJPERES.   

To read the complete story published in the Constituent Update on Jan. 12, 2018, please visit: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/meetings/newsletters/constituent-updates/archive/2018/ConstUpdate011218