Constituent Update - February 6, 2026

Constituent Update - February 6, 2026

FSIS 2026 Update: Inspection Rates Hold Steady, Lab Fees Decrease

FSIS is providing updated information on the inspection and service rates that will apply for calendar year 2026.

Each year, FSIS calculates and publishes rates in the Federal Register for inspection, laboratory, and export certification services provided to federally inspected meat, poultry, and egg products establishments, as well as to importers and exporters. These rates are calculated using formulas established in FSIS regulations, which take into account prior fiscal year inspection program costs, including personnel, travel, and overhead.

For calendar year 2026, FSIS will implement the following:

• The agency will keep basetime, overtime, and holiday inspection rates and the export application fee at 2025 levels because current rates cover the cost of providing these services.

These updated rates went into effect at the beginning of the first FSIS pay period of calendar year 2026, which starts on Jan. 11, 2026.

More details about FSIS notices are available on the Federal Register Notices page of the FSIS website.

Don't Run Out the Clock on Food Safety This Super Bowl

This weekend, millions of Americans will come together to watch the Super Bowl. If you're hosting a party, put food safety in your playbook to ensure bacteria don't run out the clock. FSIS has a game plan to keep your Super Bowl servings penalty free.

• Ordering takeout? Place your order in an insulated bag while transporting back home. Divide food into small portions, place in shallow containers and refrigerate until ready to serve or keep hot at 140 degrees F or above.
• Remember the 2-Hour Rule. Don't leave food out for more than 2 hours at temperatures between 40 degrees F and 140 degrees F, also known as the "Danger Zone." Bacteria thrive in these temperatures, multiplying into unsafe levels that cause foodborne illness.
• Heating Takeout or Delivered Food: Refrigerated food containing meat or poultry should be reheated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. When reheating in a microwave, disperse food evenly and ensure food reaches a safe internal temperature. Reheat soups and sauces to a boil.
• Half-Time Exchange. Bring out a set of portions for first half of the game. During half-time, switch out first set with a second set of portions straight from the refrigerator or oven.

For more Super Bowl Sunday food safety tips, check out our full press release and follow FSIS on X at @usdafoodsafety.

If you have any questions about food safety, contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or email [email protected] from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

Reminder: USDA's 2026 Agricultural Outlook Forum

As announced in the January 23rd Constituent Update, USDA is hosting its 102nd Agricultural Outlook Forum, February 19-20 in Arlington, Va. Interested parties are invited to register for the forum to attend. All sessions will be livestreamed and there is no charge for attending the event virtually. The FSIS session will be held 8-9:30 a.m. ET in Salons 5 and 6 on Day Two, Feb. 20, as part of the Animal Health and Safe Food Systems Track. Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears will moderate the panel, titled Managing Physical Changes in Food Production to Ensure Food Safety.

The speakers will cover the full spectrum of production environments:

• William (Bill) K. Shaw, Jr. (FSIS) will outline practical approaches to mitigating risks when facilities undergo physical or environmental modifications.
• Briana Lorenzo (Harris Teeter Supermarkets) will discuss the retail perspective, focusing on managing risks and the "cost of quality" during physical expansions, equipment additions, or location moves.
• Gustavo Machado (NC State University) will shift the focus to the farm, examining how physical environments and on-farm systems contribute to the spread of animal disease.
• Keith Wehner (USDA APHIS) will present tools and best practices for securing physical environments against pests, including the USDA Wildlife Biosecurity Assessments.

For more information, see the Ag Outlook Forum program at a glance and read the Ag Outlook Forum Frequently Asked Questions.

FSIS Posted Individual Category Status and Aggregate Results for Poultry Carcasses, Chicken Parts, and Comminuted Poultry Tested for Salmonella

On February 6, 2026, FSIS updated the individual establishment Salmonella performance standard category information for raw poultry carcasses, raw chicken parts, and comminuted poultry products on the Salmonella Verification Testing Program Monthly Posting page on the FSIS Website. Additionally, FSIS will post the aggregate sampling results showing the number of establishments in categories 1, 2, or 3 for establishments producing young poultry carcasses, raw chicken parts, or not ready-to-eat (NRTE) comminuted poultry products at the location linked above.

Policy Update

FSIS notices and directives on public health and regulatory issues are available on the FSIS Policy webpage. The following policy update was recently issued:

FSIS Notice 11-26: Reissued Procedures for Exports of FSIS Inspected Products in the Public Health Information System

Export Requirements Update

The Library of Export Requirements has been updated for products for the following:

• El Salvador
• Peru
• Turks & Caicos Islands
• Tunisia
• Costa Rica
• North Macedonia
• Colombia
• St. Lucia
• Nicaragua
• Ecuador
• Jordan
• Taiwan
• Qatar
• European Union
• Japan
• Azerbaijan
• Korea
• Turkey

Complete information can be found at the FSIS Import & Export Library.