FSIS Updates for Small Plants – February 4, 2026

FSIS Updates for Small Plants - February 4, 2026

Our next All-Establishment Call will take place on TBD

Please email [email protected] with topics or questions you would like to see on the TBD agenda.

FSIS Delivers on Commitments: Progress and a Strong Path Forward

FSIS has made great progress over the past six months, delivering on commitments to its workforce and strengthening the foundation for effective food safety. With renewed leadership, targeted investments, and a clear mission focus, the agency is well positioned for continued progress in 2026 and beyond. Read more about FSIS' accomplishments over the last six months in the Jan. 30 Constituent Update.

Dr. Brashears Returns to USDA as Under Secretary for Food Safety

On January 14, Dr. Mindy Brashears was sworn in as USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety, returning to the Department at a pivotal moment for public health and food safety. Her appointment brings experienced leadership and a deep understanding of the science, policy, and operational realities that underpin FSIS' mission. Dr. Brashears is a recognized leader in food safety, having served as USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety from 2020-2021, and Deputy Under Secretary in 2019. Read more.

FSIS Announces Leadership Changes

FSIS announced strategic leadership changes in the Office of the Administrator, the Office of Field Operations (OFO), the Office of Management, and the Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education. These changes reflect the agency's goal of ensuring representation, collaboration and accountability at the most senior level of the agency.

Mr. Robert Bane will be joining FSIS' Office of the Administrator as Deputy Administrator of Field Operations, serving alongside Deputy Administrator Dr. Denise Eblen, who will focus on FSIS' science and policy work. Bane brings decades of experience and expertise to this position and has served in several leadership positions within FSIS. Most recently, he was Executive Associate for Regulatory Operations within the Office of Field Operations (OFO) and prior to this was Assistant Administrator of the Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit. Bane will continue working from the Springdale District Office.

Additional leadership changes were made in the Office of Investigation, Enforcement, and Audit; the Office of Public Health Science, and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer.

Building on our Foundation: A New Phase in Salmonella Reduction Efforts

January 14 marked both a homecoming for Dr. Brashears and a moment of forward momentum for USDA. The Under Secretary joined Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, FSIS leadership, researchers, and other stakeholders for a public meeting focused on one of the agency's most persistent food safety challenges: Salmonella. View the transcript, final agenda, and presentation slides on the Public Meeting: Exploring Practical Strategies to Reduce Salmonella in Poultry Products page of the FSIS website. FSIS is extending the comment period by 30 days for the Public Meeting: Exploring Practical Strategies to Reduce Salmonella in Poultry Products. Written comments may be submitted until March 4, 2026.

FSIS to Consider Duck and Fowl Waiver Applications Through May 1, 2026

FSIS is announcing that it will stop accepting new waiver requests from duck and fowl establishments seeking to operate under either the New Poultry Inspection System or the Streamlined Inspection System. The deadline for submitting new waiver requests is May 1, 2026.

Collaborative Efforts for a Safer Food Supply: FSIS at IPPE

From Jan. 28-30, FSIS participated in the International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta, Ga., engaging with industry leaders in one of the world's largest gatherings for the meat, poultry, and egg products industries. FSIS had an information booth at the expo where agency representatives engaged with attendees, discussing topics such as inspection, regulatory requirements, and compliance. Under Secretary Brashears and Administrator Ransom also had the chance to meet directly with key industry stakeholder groups. More details are available in the Jan. 30 Constituent Update.

FSIS at the Agricultural Outlook Forum: Feb. 20

The annual USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum will be held Feb. 19‒20 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va. All sessions will be livestreamed, and recordings will be available to registrants for up to one year after the conference. The FSIS session will be held on Feb. 20 8‒9:30 a.m. ET as part of the Animal Health and Safe Food Systems Track. Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears will moderate the panel. Register to attend the Forum in person or virtually and stay tuned for more details about speakers and topics.

Available for Public Comment

FSIS seeks public comments on proposed rules and notices, which are viewable on the FSIS Federal Register & Rulemaking webpage. FSIS is currently seeking comments on the following:

• Until Feb. 20: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Permit To Transport Undenatured Inedible Meat Products
• Until Feb. 20: Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Permit To Obtain Specimens of Condemned or Other Inedible Materials From Official Establishments
• Until Feb. 27: Notice of Request to Renew an Approved Information Collection: New Swine Inspection System
• Until March 4: Exploring Practical Strategies to Reduce Salmonella in Poultry Products

PHIS Q & A: I've had access to PHIS in the past but haven't used it in a few months. I'm getting a message that says my account is inactive. How do I get regain access?

A. If it has been more than a few months since you last used PHIS, you may have lost access to the system. Accounts are inactivated after 90 days of inactivity, though access may be removed sooner in some cases. Users listed with administrator responsibility on the Profile > Contacts page may follow these steps to request reactivation:

1. Go to https://phis.fsis.usda.gov/enrollment
2. Enter your username and password and perform your Login.gov authentication
3. Select Log in
4. Select OPEN FSIS Dashboard

You should be returned to the PHIS home page with the roles you previously held.

If this does not work, contact your facility administrator and ask them to restore your access using their establishment or corporate administrator role. The administrator should go to User Management > Manage Users, select the radio button on the right for inactive, find your name, select Open, and then choose Activate. To restore access immediately, the administrator should select Run PHIS Data Feed at the bottom right of the screen.