On May 5, 2023, the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued Bulletin No. 2023-09615, which is for small and micromeat and poultry establishments producing ready-to-eat (RTE) shelf-stable (fermented, salted and Dry) guidance document for meat and poultry products. The main contents are as follows:

(1) Scope of application: Meat or poultry food that can be eaten directly without cooking after treatment.

(2) Microbial hygiene requirements for ready-to-eat products: Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in processed products must be reduced by at least 5.0-log10, and Listeria monocytogenes must be reduced by at least 3.0-log10.

(3) Hygienic control of the production and processing process, such as adopting various intervention measures (namely fermentation and drying) to control Salmonella.

(4) Formulation and implementation of microbiological monitoring plan.

(5) FSIS official audit and verification of manufacturers of ready-to-eat meat products.

The deadline for feedback on this announcement is July 5, 2023.