USDA Keeps Paper Trail for Pork Safety
Published Date: 12/29/2025
Notice
Summary
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is renewing its approved paperwork for the New Swine Inspection System, which helps keep pork safe. This renewal keeps everything the same—no changes or extra costs—and affects swine processors and inspectors. If you want to share your thoughts, you have until February 27, 2026, to speak up!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Renewal Keeps Rules the Same
FSIS is renewing the approved information collection for the New Swine Inspection System and says it is making no changes and no extra costs. The existing approval will expire on February 28, 2026, and stakeholders may submit comments through February 27, 2026.
Continued Microbial Testing & Recordkeeping
Swine slaughter establishments operating under the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System must monitor their systems with microbial testing and keep records. They must document the total number of animals and carcasses sorted and removed each day and list reasons for removal, using FSIS Form 6200-3 or an FSIS-approved electronic format.
Estimated Reporting Burden Numbers
FSIS estimates the public reporting burden at 0.048 hours per response, with 84 respondents, 91,078 annual responses, and a total annual burden of 4,348 hours for this information collection.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-10315 — Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Accreditation of Laboratories, Transactions, and Exemptions
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service wants to keep collecting info from labs and meat, poultry, and egg businesses to make sure everything stays safe and official. No changes are coming, but they need your comments by July 21, 2026, before the current approval expires on October 31, 2026. This keeps the safety checks running smoothly without extra costs or hassles.
2026-10186 — Visual Post-Mortem Inspection in Swine Slaughter Establishments
Starting July 20, 2026, swine slaughter plants won’t have to cut into pig lymph nodes or poke around their insides during inspections anymore. This change affects all swine slaughter establishments and lets inspectors focus on visual checks, saving time without risking food safety. It also gives the USDA more flexibility in assigning inspection staff, making the whole process smoother and possibly more cost-effective.
2026-08702 — Availability of Revised Food Safety Guideline for Egg Products
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service just updated its guide for companies that make egg products like pasteurized or frozen eggs. This new version answers common questions and adds fresh science to help these businesses keep eggs safe and follow the rules. If you’re in the egg biz, check out the changes and send your thoughts by July 6, 2026—no extra costs, just clearer safety tips!
2026-08580 — Removal of Standard of Identity for Canned “Tripe With Milk”
Starting June 3, 2026, canned “Tripe with Milk” won’t have a strict recipe to follow anymore. This change lets producers get creative while still making sure labels tell the truth. It’s good news for businesses who want more freedom without confusing customers or costing extra.
2026-08261 — Retail Exemptions Adjusted Dollar Limitations
Starting May 28, 2026, retail stores selling meat and poultry to hotels, restaurants, and similar places have new dollar limits to keep their federal inspection exemptions. These limits adjust based on price changes from last year, making sure stores don’t sell too much outside normal retail amounts. If they go over, they lose their exemption and must follow stricter inspection rules.
2026-06526 — Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: New Poultry Inspection System
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service wants to keep collecting info about how poultry is inspected, with no changes to the current process. This affects poultry plants and helps keep our chicken safe to eat. They’re asking for public comments by June 2, 2026, before renewing the approval that expires August 31, 2026.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-23831 — Request for Nominations for Bureau of Indian Education Advisory Board for Exceptional Children
The Bureau of Indian Education is looking for people to join its Advisory Board for Exceptional Children, which helps improve special education for American Indian kids with disabilities. Five spots are open for experts like teachers, tribal reps, and state officials. If you want to help shape better education, send your nomination by February 27, 2026—no money changes, just a chance to make a big difference!
Next: 2025-23833 — Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings
The Center for Scientific Review at the NIH is holding several closed virtual meetings in January 2026 to review important grant applications. These meetings protect private info and trade secrets while deciding who gets research funding. Scientists and institutions applying for grants should note these dates as they impact funding decisions but don’t involve public attendance or new costs.