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Issue of the Month

Importing Meat, Poultry and Egg Products to the United States

Understanding FSIS requirements from country eligibility through import reinspection.

By Robert J. Berczik, Jr., EAS Consulting Group Independent Consultant

Importing meat, poultry, and egg products into the United States involves more than clearing customs.

Products must originate from FSIS-approved countries and certified establishments, be accompanied by proper government certification, and undergo FSIS reinspection before entering U.S. commerce.

In this Issue of the Month, EAS Consultant Robert J. Berczik, Jr. outlines the key steps in the import process, including certification requirements, electronic filing through PHIS and ACE, reinspection procedures, and the consequences of failure to present imported products for inspection.

The article also reviews how refused-entry products are handled and the options available when imported products fail to meet U.S. requirements.

For importers, exporters, and regulatory professionals, understanding these requirements is critical to avoiding delays, enforcement actions, and costly disposition decisions.

Under the Microscope

Choosing a Lab for FDA Detention Testing: What Counts with the Agency

Reviewed by Annie Hughes, Director, General Manager FDA Detention at Certified Group

As a member of the Certified Group and Food Safety Net Services, EAS clients have access to world-renowned testing laboratories that meet your organization’s sophisticated needs. In this column, you’ll hear about their capabilities, environmental challenges and more. We hope you’ll enjoy a look “under the microscope.”

1-Minute Summary

• Pick a lab with an ISO 17025 scope that matches your matrix/analyte; use LAAF when your analyte is active on FDA’s Dashboard.
• Require validated, matrix-appropriate methods, with LOQ/LOD below the limit and full QC so results are defensible.
• Protect sample integrity (after-arrival sampling, chain of custody, temperature control) and plan realistic turnaround.
• Deliver a complete PLAP and upload via FDA ITACS – clear filenames, entry/line mapping – to avoid preventable rework and delays.

FDA and USDA Regulatory Updates

Key regulatory developments shaping compliance and market access:

▪ FDA Issues Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) Warning Letters

▪ New FDA Guidance on Infant Formula Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) Studies

▪ Publication of Final Rule: Visual Post-Mortem Inspection in Swine Slaughter Establishments

▪ Marty Makary Resigns as FDA Commissioner

▪ FDA Issues Guidance on Enforcement Priorities for Unauthorized ENDS and Nicotine Pouch Products

▪ FDA Launches One-Day Inspectional Assessments to Expand Regulatory Oversight

▪ USDA Announces Creation of Office of Seafood to Strengthen Industry Coordination

Stay current with EAS events, training, and industry engagement:

Consultant Corner

EAS offers over 200 independent consultants strategically located around the globe whose expertise provide core value for clients.

Issue of the Month Author

Robert J. Berczik, Jr.

EAS Consulting Group, Independent Consultant

Bob Berczik has more than 45 years of expertise within the meat industry. His career began as a butcher, processor, and journeyman meat cutter, followed by service as an inspector for the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Berczik retired from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) after a 35-year tenure. Over the past twenty years, his primary focus has been on the importation of meat, poultry, and egg products. Within FSIS, he contributed to International Affairs, Policy and Program Development, and International Coordination. He authored or contributed to significant FSIS Directives and Notices related to imports and assisted in the development of agency rules governing electronic processes, including electronic certification. As the principal developer of the FSIS Partner Government Agency Message Set, he played a key role in cross-agency collaboration. He also represented FSIS within CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment and served as a member of the Border Interagency Executive Council. Furthermore, he participated in the design and implementation of the FSIS Public Health Information System. Throughout his professional journey, Bob has remained committed to advancing food safety, promoting innovation, and strengthening interagency partnerships.