Farewell to Forgotten Bacon Tests: USDA Ditches 25-Year-Old 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.

2026-05746 — Revising Establishment Size Definitions

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service wants to update how it defines the size of meat, poultry, and egg plants. These size rules help decide how the agency checks and supports businesses, especially small ones. If changes happen, they could affect how often inspections happen and how rules apply, so businesses should share their thoughts by May 26, 2026.

2026-05550 — Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Voluntary Destruction of Imported Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service wants to keep collecting info about companies that choose to destroy imported meat, poultry, and egg products instead of selling them. No changes are coming, but the current approval expires July 31, 2026, so they’re asking for comments by May 22, 2026. This keeps things clear and safe for everyone involved, with no new costs or rules.

2026-05509 — Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Procedures for the Notification of New Technology and Requests for Waivers

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service wants to keep collecting info on how companies tell them about new tech or ask for special permission (waivers). Nothing’s changing, but they need to renew this approval before it expires on July 31, 2026. If you’re involved in food safety tech or waivers, now’s the time to share your thoughts by May 19, 2026!

2026-05155 — Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: (Public Health Information System)

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service wants to keep collecting info through its Public Health Information System, with no changes to how it works. This affects folks who provide or use public health data and keeps things running smoothly until November 30, 2026. If you have thoughts, you can share them by May 18, 2026—no extra costs or new rules involved!

2026-04820 — Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Nutrition Labeling of Major Cuts of Single-Ingredient Raw Meat or Poultry Products and Ground or Chopped Meat and Poultry Products

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service wants to keep collecting nutrition label info on major cuts of raw meat and poultry, plus ground or chopped versions. No changes are planned, but they need to renew approval before July 31, 2026. Meat producers and packagers should note this keeps the labeling rules steady with no new costs or surprises.

Previous: 2025-12190 — Updating the Definition of Person

The FRA is updating the definition of “person” in its rules to keep things clear and consistent across all safety regulations. This change affects anyone dealing with FRA rules and updates penalty references to match current standards. These updates help make sure everyone’s on the same page without changing the actual fines or deadlines.

Next: 2025-12234 — Rescinding Unnecessary Notice and Comment Procedures

The Department is stopping its extra step of asking for public comments when the law doesn’t require it. This means they’ll now stick to the basic rules everyone else follows, saving time and effort. This change affects how the Department makes rules and should speed things up without extra costs.