USDA Says No More Poking Dead Pigs During Inspections
Published Date: 8/19/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
FSIS wants to stop the mandatory cutting and feeling of certain pig parts during inspections at all swine slaughterhouses because these steps aren’t needed to keep pork safe. This change affects all swine slaughter establishments and lets inspectors focus on visual checks instead. It also gives FSIS more flexibility in assigning staff, helping them work smarter without extra costs or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
End Mandatory Cutting and Palpation
FSIS proposes to stop the required incision of mandibular lymph nodes and palpation of viscera for swine carcasses at all swine slaughter establishments. FSIS says these steps are not needed for food safety because condemnation rates are low and condemnable conditions can be detected visually, so inspectors would rely on visual checks instead.
Remove Sorter Tasks in NSIS Establishments
FSIS proposes to remove the regulatory requirement that establishment sorters "incise mandibular lymph nodes and palpate the viscera" as part of their sorting activities before FSIS post-mortem inspection in establishments operating under the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System (NSIS). This change would relieve NSIS establishments and their sorters of that specific sorting task.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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