Source: USDA FOOD SAFETY INSPECTION SERVICE, 8/22/14

FSIS is announcing the availability of a compliance guideline to help poultry slaughter establishments train their employees to conduct the carcass and associated viscera sorting activities that are required under the New Poultry Inspection System . The effective date of the final rule is October 20, 2014.

Under the new system, establishment personnel are required to sort carcasses and remove unacceptable carcasses and parts before the birds are presented to the FSIS online carcass inspector.

FSIS is seeking comments on this compliance guide. Any interested persons may submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal website at http://www.regulations.gov or by mail to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Mailstop 3782, Room 8-163A, Washington, DC 20250-3700. More detailed instructions for submitting comments are provided in the Compliance guideline found at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/8a08b1a2-37d5-458e-84d2-8e7412318284/compliance-guide-NPIS-0814.pdf?MOD=AJPERES.

FSIS will update these guidelines in response to any comments received and as needed to reflect the most current information available to FSIS and stakeholders. The comment period will end 60 days from the Aug. 21, 2014, posting of the guideline.