The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has confirmed that it is adjusting inspection coverage at official establishments that slaughter fish of the order Siluriformes from all hours of operation to once per production shift.

The change took effect Sept. 1, 2017. The regulations were amended in 80 FR 75590, “Mandatory Inspection of Fish of the Order Siluriformes and Products Derived from Such Fish,” which includes catfish, basa and swai.

The rule was designed to implement the provisions of the 2008 and 2014 Farm Bills, which amended the Federal Meat Inspection Act to include fish as amenable and to provide for their inspection by FSIS. During the transitional period, FSIS assigned inspection program personnel to be present during all hours of operation. After the transitional period and review of comments on the proposed change to once per shift, it was determined that a change should be made.