On May 21, 2026, the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a final rule eliminating routine requirements for mandibular lymph node incision and viscera palpation in all swine slaughter establishments. The rule takes effect July 20, 2026.

Under the rule, post-mortem inspection will move to a primarily visual approach, although FSIS inspectors will retain authority to incise lymph nodes and palpate viscera when necessary to identify defects.

FSIS said the change reflects findings that these procedures are not needed to ensure food safety, citing low swine condemnation rates and the ability to detect disease through visible carcass conditions. The agency said visual inspection may help reduce the risk of microbial cross-contamination, as routine cutting and handling can spread pathogens.

The final rule also updates staffing standards for traditional swine slaughter inspection, giving FSIS more flexibility to assign inspection personnel based on establishment operations, line configuration and agency needs.

Establishment sorters will continue to visually examine carcasses and viscera for defects, and FSIS emphasized that the rule does not affect line speed requirements or overall inspection authority.

FSIS said it will issue updated inspection instructions before the rule’s effective date.

Source: USDA-FSIS