FSIS issues guidance for responding to customer complaints
On March 11, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS or the agency) announced the availability of the guidance FSIS Guideline for Industry Response to Customer Complaints, 2019. The guidance was issued to provide best practices to the meat and poultry industry for responding to customer complaints alleging adulterated or misbranded meat and poultry products, particularly those complaints regarding foreign materials. Importantly, the guidance indicates it is “not regulatory,” and that establishments are free to adopt different procedures than those set forth in the Guidance.
Although the Agency considers the Guidance “in effect,” comments may be submitted on the Guidance until May 10, 2019.