2021-03609: Internet Access at Official Establishments and Plants

Summary

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to amend its regulations to require official meat and poultry establishments and egg products plants and businesses receiving voluntary inspection services from FSIS that have an internet connection to provide FSIS access to it for the purposes of conducting and recording inspection verification activities. FSIS views internet service as a necessary utility, like lighting, heating, and laundry services, that should be provided by establishments as a regulatory condition of receiving inspection. Under this proposal, FSIS would not require establishments without internet access to purchase it or to upgrade the internet services they have, if inadequate for FSIS use.

The agency’s own summary, as published.

What this changes

Amends 9 parts of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

• 9 CFR 307 Facilities for Inspection
• 9 CFR 350 Special Services Relating to Meat and Other Products
• 9 CFR 352 Exotic Animals; Voluntary Inspection
• 9 CFR 354 Voluntary Inspection of Rabbits and Edible Products Thereof
• 9 CFR 362 Voluntary Poultry Inspection Regulations
• 9 CFR 381 Poultry Products Inspection Regulations
• 9 CFR 533 Separation of Establishment; Facilities for Inspection; Facilities for Program Employees; Other Required Facilities
• 9 CFR 590 Inspection of Eggs and Egg Products (Egg Products Inspection Act)
• 9 CFR 592 Voluntary Inspection of Egg Products