Food Source Attribution; Public Meeting, 80873-80875 [2011-33018]
Download as PDF
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 27, 2011 / Notices
U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), the regulations in
7 CFR part 340, ‘‘Introduction of
Organisms and Products Altered or
Produced Through Genetic Engineering
Which Are Plant Pests or Which There
Is Reason to Believe Are Plant Pests,’’
regulate, among other things, the
introduction (importation, interstate
movement, or release into the
environment) of organisms and products
altered or produced through genetic
engineering that are plant pests or that
there is reason to believe are plant pests.
Such genetically engineered organisms
and products are considered ‘‘regulated
articles.’’
The regulations in § 340.6(a) provide
that any person may submit a petition
to the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) seeking a
determination that an article should not
be regulated under 7 CFR part 340.
Paragraphs (b) and (c) of § 340.6
describe the form that a petition for a
determination of nonregulated status
must take and the information that must
be included in the petition.
APHIS has received a petition (APHIS
Petition Number 09–233–01p) from Dow
AgroScience LLC (Dow) of Indianapolis,
IN, seeking a determination of
nonregulated status of corn (Zea mays)
designated as event DAS–40278–9,
which has been genetically engineered
for increased resistance to broadleaf
herbicides in the phenoxy auxin group
(such as the herbicide 2,4-D) and
resistance to grass herbicides in the
aryloxyphenoxypropionate acetyl
coenzyme A carboxylase inhibitor group
(such as quizalofop herbicides), stating
that this corn is unlikely to pose a plant
pest risk and, therefore, should not be
a regulated article under APHIS’
regulations in 7 CFR part 340.
As described in the petition, corn
event DAS–40278–9 has been
genetically engineered to express the
aryloxyalkanoate dioxygenase protein
AAD–1. Corn event DAS–40278–9 is
currently regulated under 7 CFR part
340. Interstate movements and field
tests of corn event DAS–40278–9 have
been conducted under permits issued or
notifications acknowledged by APHIS.
Field tests conducted under APHIS
oversight allowed for evaluation in a
natural agricultural setting while
imposing measures to minimize the risk
of persistence in the environment after
completion of the test. Data are gathered
on multiple parameters and used by the
applicant to evaluate agronomic
characteristics and product
performance. These and other data are
used by APHIS to determine if the new
variety poses a plant pest risk.
In section 403 of the Plant Protection
Act, ‘‘plant pest’’ is defined as any
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22:00 Dec 23, 2011
Jkt 226001
living stage of any of the following that
can directly or indirectly injure, cause
damage to, or cause disease in any plant
or plant product: A protozoan, a
nonhuman animal, a parasitic plant, a
bacterium, a fungus, a virus or viroid, an
infectious agent or other pathogen, or
any article similar to or allied with any
of the foregoing. APHIS has prepared a
plant pest risk assessment to determine
if corn event DAS–40278–9 is unlikely
to pose a plant pest risk.
APHIS has also prepared a draft
environmental assessment (EA) in
which it presents two alternatives based
on its analyses of data submitted by
Dow, a review of other scientific data,
and field tests conducted under APHIS
oversight. APHIS is considering the
following alternatives: (1) Take no
action, i.e., APHIS would not change the
regulatory status of corn event DAS–
40278–9 and it would continue to be a
regulated article, or (2) make a
determination of nonregulated status of
corn event DAS–40278–9.
The draft EA has been prepared to
provide the APHIS decisionmaker with
a review and analysis of any potential
environmental impacts associated with
the proposed determination of
nonregulated status of corn event DAS–
40278–9. The draft EA was prepared in
accordance with (1) the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.), (2) regulations of the Council on
Environmental Quality for
implementing the procedural provisions
of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), (3)
USDA regulations implementing NEPA
(7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA
Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part
372).
In accordance with § 340.6(d) of the
regulations, we are publishing this
notice to inform the public that APHIS
will accept written comments regarding
the petition for a determination of
nonregulated status from interested or
affected persons for a period of 60 days
from the date of this notice. We are also
soliciting written comments from
interested or affected persons on the
plant pest risk assessment and the draft
EA prepared to examine any potential
environmental impacts of the proposed
determination for the deregulation of
the subject corn line. The petition, draft
EA, and plant pest risk assessment are
available for public review, and copies
of the petition, draft EA, and plant pest
risk assessment are available as
indicated under ADDRESSES and FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above.
After the comment period closes,
APHIS will review all written comments
received during the comment period
and any other relevant information. All
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80873
comments received regarding the
petition, draft EA, and plant pest risk
assessment will be available for public
review. After reviewing and evaluating
the comments on the petition, the draft
EA, plant pest risk assessment, and
other data, APHIS will furnish a
response to the petitioner, either
approving or denying the petition.
APHIS will also publish a notice in the
Federal Register announcing the
regulatory status of corn event DAS–
40278–9 and the availability of APHIS’
written environmental decision and
regulatory determination.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701–7772 and 7781–
7786; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and
371.3.
Done in Washington, DC, this 19th day of
December 2011.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2011–33009 Filed 12–22–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. FSIS–2011–0028]
Food Source Attribution; Public
Meeting
Food Safety and Inspection
Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
AGENCY:
The Food Safety and
Inspection Service (FSIS), in
collaboration with the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), and the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), is hosting a public meeting to
discuss Federal efforts to advance triagency understanding of food source
attribution and develop harmonized
food source attribution estimates useful
to informing targeted food safety
strategies. The public meeting will also
introduce the Interagency Food Safety
Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC), which
was formed to collaborate on analytic
projects. The meeting will also serve as
a platform to introduce IFSAC’s draft
Strategic Plan. Foodborne illness
attribution was selected as the initial
focus in light of the CDC foodborne
illness burden estimates released in
2011 and in response to stakeholder
input to develop a unified approach to
attribution. FSIS, FDA, and CDC are also
interested in input from stakeholders
regarding existing data and methods for
food source attribution in the United
States and the opportunities and
challenges in implementing the IFSAC
Strategic Plan.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\27DEN1.SGM
27DEN1
80874
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 27, 2011 / Notices
The public meeting will be held
on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 8:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
the South Building Cafeteria, U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA), 14th
& Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20250. Non-USDA
employees must enter through wing 2,
located at 12th and C Street SW.
Attendees must provide a photo ID to
enter the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
questions about registration, to register
orally, or to submit a notice of
participation by mail, fax, or by email:
Courtney Treece, Planning
Professionals, Ltd., 1210 W. McDermott,
Suite 111, Allen, TX 75013, telephone:
(704) 258–4983, fax: (469) 854–6992,
email:
ctreece@planningprofessionals.com.
For questions about the meeting, to
request an opportunity to make public
comments, or to submit the full text,
comprehensive outline or summary of
an oral presentation, contact: Juanita
Yates, FDA, Center for Food Safety and
Applied Nutrition, telephone: (240)
402–1731, email:
juanita.yates@fda.hhs.gov. To request
special accommodations due to a
disability, contact Juanita Yates by
January 25, 2012.
For logistical information about the
meeting, contact Joan Lindenberger,
Office of Public Affairs and Consumer
Education, FSIS, telephone: (202) 720–
6755, or by email at
joan.lindenberger@fsis.usda.gov.
For technical information about the
meeting, contact Dr. David Goldman,
Assistant Administrator, Office of
Public Health Science, USDA, FSIS,
telephone: (202) 690–6462, fax: (202)
690–6337, email:
David.Goldman@fsis.usda.gov.
DATES:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
I. Background
Estimating the number of illnesses,
hospitalizations, and deaths caused by
major foodborne pathogens is an
important step in the prioritization of
disease control programs. Estimating the
proportions of these illnesses that are
caused by specific food sources (food
source attribution) is a necessary
additional step in measuring progress
toward public health goals resulting
from food safety policies and
interventions. The number of illnesses
and their food source attribution are
used together to inform strategic
planning and policy decisions to
allocate Federal resources towards
pressing public health concerns.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
22:00 Dec 23, 2011
Jkt 226001
Currently, work by Scallan et al
(2011) 1 provides estimates of the annual
number of foodborne illnesses caused
by 31 major pathogens and was
informed by a variety of data sources.
Estimating the most common sources of
these foodborne illnesses (food source
attribution) also relies on multiple data
sources and analytic methods. Data from
foodborne outbreak investigations have
always been an important source of
attribution information because many of
these investigations determine the
specific food associated with illnesses.
However, most foodborne illness is not
associated with detected outbreaks, and
some causes of foodborne illness, such
as Toxoplasma and Campylobacter, are
never or rarely associated with
foodborne outbreaks. Consequently,
additional data sources and analytic
methods are needed to enhance food
source attribution estimates and inform
their interpretation. These may include
studies of laboratory-confirmed
illnesses, expert elicitations, and risk
assessments.
In response to President Obama’s
Food Safety Working Group Key
Findings on ‘‘Improved Organization of
Federal Food Safety Responsibilities,’’
FSIS, FDA, and CDC formed IFSAC in
February 2011 to meet the crucial need
for strengthening Federal collaboration
by addressing cross-cutting priorities for
food safety data collection, analysis, and
use. Additionally, as a part of tri-Agency
public meetings on the development of
feasible and effective food safety
performance metrics held in March,
July, and October 2010, stakeholders
identified the need for the three Federal
food safety agencies to work together
and harmonize food source attribution
efforts. This includes working jointly to
advance the science and methods
available for estimating attribution. As a
result, IFSAC chose food source
attribution as its first food safety
analytical challenge.
The initial objective of IFSAC is the
estimation of source attribution of
foodborne infections to specific foods
and settings. This includes the
understanding that continuous
improvements to data and the analytic
methods available for generating
attribution estimates will provide more
accurate assessments of the attribution
of foodborne illnesses across the broad
range of commodities and points in the
food safety chain. In Summer 2011, the
three agencies worked together to
1 Scallan
E, Hoekstra RM, Angulo FJ, Tauxe RV,
Widdowson M-A, Roy SL, et al. Foodborne illness
acquired in the United States—major pathogens.
Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]. 2011 Jan
[cited 11/15/2011]. https://www.cdc.gov/EID/
content/17/1/7.htm.
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
develop a cohesive description of
specific needs related to food source
attribution, which includes both shortterm needs such as developing shared
attribution estimates for decisionmaking, as well as long-term needs that
focus on plans for reducing the
uncertainty, improving data and
analytic methods, and obtaining
comprehensive estimates of attribution
that are informed by multiple data
sources and analytic approaches. These
needs, and the strategy for meeting these
needs, were captured in the draft IFSAC
Strategic Plan for Attribution.
In October 2011, this plan was
reviewed by three food safety experts
independent of the U.S. government,
who did not provide any consensus
recommendations or advice, and in
November 2011, it was presented to
members of the Food Safety
Modernization Act (FSMA) surveillance
workgroup. IFSAC also sought advice
from the FDA Risk Communication
Advisory Committee (RCAC) on August
15–16, 2011, on how to best
communicate to stakeholders on the
evolving methodology and complex data
sources involved in food source
attribution. Meeting materials,
transcripts and meeting minutes from
the RCAC meeting on August 15–16,
2011, are available at https://
www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/
CommitteesMeetingMaterials/
RiskCommunicationAdvisoryCommittee
/ucm249108.htm. Based on the feedback
received on the Strategic Plan and
communication challenges, IFSAC is
developing new strategies and
communication materials to meet the
needs of the three agencies and food
safety stakeholders.
The agencies will present the IFSAC
Strategic Plan for Attribution and will
seek input on the opportunities and
challenges to improve food source
attribution efforts in the United States.
An agenda for the meeting and the draft
IFSAC Strategic Plan will be finalized
on or before the public meeting date and
will be posted at https://
www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
meetings_&_events.
II. Registration
Due to limited space, FSIS encourages
all persons who wish to attend the
meeting to register online at https://
www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
meetings_&_events by January 25, 2012.
III. Comments
Stakeholders will have an opportunity
to provide oral comments. Interested
persons and organizations who desire
an opportunity to make an oral
presentation during the time allotted for
E:\FR\FM\27DEN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 27, 2011 / Notices
communicated via Listserv, a free
electronic mail subscription service for
industry, trade groups, consumer
interest groups, health professionals,
and other individuals who have asked
to be included. The Update is also
available on the FSIS Web page. In
addition, FSIS offers an electronic mail
subscription service which provides
automatic and customized access to
selected food safety news and
information. This service is available at
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/
News_&_Events/Email_Subscription/.
Options range from recalls to export
information to regulations, directives,
and notices. Customers can add or
delete subscriptions themselves, and
have the option to password protect
their accounts.
IV. Transcripts
As soon as the meeting transcripts are
available, they will be accessible on the
FSIS Web site at https://
www.fsis.usda.gov/news/
meetings_&_events. The transcripts may
also be viewed at the FSIS Docket Room
at the address listed above.
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
public comments at the meeting are
encouraged to register in advance by
January 9, 2012. Anyone registering to
provide a public comment must also
provide a brief description of the
comment and any material to be used
during the presentation by January 25,
2012.
In addition to this meeting, interested
persons may submit comments on or
before March 1, 2012, using either of the
following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and follow
the online instructions at that site for
submitting comments.
Mail, including CD–ROMS: Send to
Docket Clerk, USDA, FSIS Docket
Room, 1400 Independence Avenue SW.,
Patriots Plaza 3, Mailstop 3782, Room
8–163A, Washington, DC 20250–3700.
Hand- or courier-delivered items:
Deliver to the Docket Clerk, USDA, FSIS
Docket Room at Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E.
Street SW., Room 8–164, Washington,
DC 20250 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30
p.m., Monday through Friday.
Instructions: All items submitted by
mail or electronic mail must include the
Agency name and docket number FSIS–
2011–0028. Comments received in
response to this docket will be made
available for public inspection and
posted without change, including any
personal information, to https://
www.regulations.gov.
Docket: For access to background
documents or comments received, go to
the FSIS Docket Room at Patriots Plaza
3, 355 E. Street SW., Room 8–164,
Washington, DC 20250 between 8:30
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday.
Done at Washington, DC on December 19,
2011.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Administrator.
Additional Public Notification
FSIS will announce this notice online
through the FSIS Web page located at
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/
regulations_&_policies/
Federal_Register_Notices/index.asp.
FSIS will also make copies of this
Federal Register publication available
through the FSIS Constituent Update,
which is used to provide information
regarding FSIS policies, procedures,
regulations, Federal Register notices,
FSIS public meetings, and other types of
information that could affect or would
be of interest to constituents and
stakeholders. The Update is
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22:00 Dec 23, 2011
Jkt 226001
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
USDA prohibits discrimination in all
its programs and activities on the basis
of race, color, national origin, gender,
religion, age, disability, political beliefs,
sexual orientation, and marital or family
status (Not all prohibited bases apply to
all programs).
Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of
program information (Braille, large
print, and audiotape) should contact
USDA’s Target Center at (202) 720–2600
(voice and TTY).
To file a written complaint of
discrimination, write USDA, Office of
the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights,
1400 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call
(202) 720–5964 (voice and TTY). USDA
is an equal opportunity provider and
employer.
[FR Doc. 2011–33018 Filed 12–23–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Los Padres National Forest: California;
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Removal of the Noxious Weed
Tamarisk on the Los Padres National
Forest
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The USDA, Forest Service,
Los Padres National Forest, gives notice
of intent to conduct analysis and
prepare an Environmental Impact
SUMMARY:
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80875
Statement (EIS) for the removal of the
noxious weed Tamarisk across the Los
Padres National forest: this notice
announces the beginning of scoping,
describes the proposed action, decisions
to be made, and estimates the dates for
filing the draft and final EIS. This notice
also provides information concerning
public participation, and the names and
addresses of the Agency officials who
can provide information.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope
of the analysis will be received for 45
days from publication in the Federal
Register. The draft environmental
impact statement is expected October
17, 2011 and the final environmental
impact statement is expected April 30,
2012.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
Los Padres National Forest, 6755
Hollister Avenue, Suite 150, Goleta, CA
93117, attention: Lloyd Simpson, Forest
Botanist. Comments may also be sent
via email to: commentspacificsouthwest-los-padresojai@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to (805)
646–0408.
Comments received in response to
this solicitation, including names and
addresses of those who comment, will
be part of the public record for this
proposed action.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions about the proposed action
may be directed to Project Team Leader,
Lloyd Simpson, Los Padres National
Forest, Ojai Ranger District, 1190 E. Ojai
Ave., Ojai, CA 93023; or by telephone:
(805) 646–4348 ext. 316. Email:
commentspacificsouthwest-los-padresojai@fs.fed.us.
Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-(800) 877–
8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
There is a need to eradicate the
noxious weed tamarisk from Piru Creek,
Lockwood Creek, Cuyama River, Santa
Ynez River, Sisquoc River, and Arroyo
Seco River in order to restore and
maintain habitat for riparian dependent
species such as the federally listed
arroyo toad, California red-legged frog,
and steelhead trout. The purpose of this
project is to eradicate tamarisk in a
timely manner and with an approach
that is pest-specific, cost effective, and
safe for the human and aquatic
environments.
The project area is on the Los Padres
National Forest in portions of the Piru
Creek, Lockwood Creek, Cuyama River,
E:\FR\FM\27DEN1.SGM
27DEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80873-80875]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33018]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. FSIS-2011-0028]
Food Source Attribution; Public Meeting
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), in
collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is hosting a public
meeting to discuss Federal efforts to advance tri-agency understanding
of food source attribution and develop harmonized food source
attribution estimates useful to informing targeted food safety
strategies. The public meeting will also introduce the Interagency Food
Safety Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC), which was formed to collaborate
on analytic projects. The meeting will also serve as a platform to
introduce IFSAC's draft Strategic Plan. Foodborne illness attribution
was selected as the initial focus in light of the CDC foodborne illness
burden estimates released in 2011 and in response to stakeholder input
to develop a unified approach to attribution. FSIS, FDA, and CDC are
also interested in input from stakeholders regarding existing data and
methods for food source attribution in the United States and the
opportunities and challenges in implementing the IFSAC Strategic Plan.
[[Page 80874]]
DATES: The public meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2012,
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the South Building Cafeteria,
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 14th & Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20250. Non-USDA employees must enter through wing 2,
located at 12th and C Street SW. Attendees must provide a photo ID to
enter the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about registration, to
register orally, or to submit a notice of participation by mail, fax,
or by email: Courtney Treece, Planning Professionals, Ltd., 1210 W.
McDermott, Suite 111, Allen, TX 75013, telephone: (704) 258-4983, fax:
(469) 854-6992, email: ctreece@planningprofessionals.com.
For questions about the meeting, to request an opportunity to make
public comments, or to submit the full text, comprehensive outline or
summary of an oral presentation, contact: Juanita Yates, FDA, Center
for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, telephone: (240) 402-1731,
email: juanita.yates@fda.hhs.gov. To request special accommodations due
to a disability, contact Juanita Yates by January 25, 2012.
For logistical information about the meeting, contact Joan
Lindenberger, Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education, FSIS,
telephone: (202) 720-6755, or by email at
joan.lindenberger@fsis.usda.gov.
For technical information about the meeting, contact Dr. David
Goldman, Assistant Administrator, Office of Public Health Science,
USDA, FSIS, telephone: (202) 690-6462, fax: (202) 690-6337, email:
David.Goldman@fsis.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Estimating the number of illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths
caused by major foodborne pathogens is an important step in the
prioritization of disease control programs. Estimating the proportions
of these illnesses that are caused by specific food sources (food
source attribution) is a necessary additional step in measuring
progress toward public health goals resulting from food safety policies
and interventions. The number of illnesses and their food source
attribution are used together to inform strategic planning and policy
decisions to allocate Federal resources towards pressing public health
concerns.
Currently, work by Scallan et al (2011) \1\ provides estimates of
the annual number of foodborne illnesses caused by 31 major pathogens
and was informed by a variety of data sources. Estimating the most
common sources of these foodborne illnesses (food source attribution)
also relies on multiple data sources and analytic methods. Data from
foodborne outbreak investigations have always been an important source
of attribution information because many of these investigations
determine the specific food associated with illnesses. However, most
foodborne illness is not associated with detected outbreaks, and some
causes of foodborne illness, such as Toxoplasma and Campylobacter, are
never or rarely associated with foodborne outbreaks. Consequently,
additional data sources and analytic methods are needed to enhance food
source attribution estimates and inform their interpretation. These may
include studies of laboratory-confirmed illnesses, expert elicitations,
and risk assessments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Scallan E, Hoekstra RM, Angulo FJ, Tauxe RV, Widdowson M-A,
Roy SL, et al. Foodborne illness acquired in the United States--
major pathogens. Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]. 2011 Jan
[cited 11/15/2011]. https://www.cdc.gov/EID/content/17/1/7.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In response to President Obama's Food Safety Working Group Key
Findings on ``Improved Organization of Federal Food Safety
Responsibilities,'' FSIS, FDA, and CDC formed IFSAC in February 2011 to
meet the crucial need for strengthening Federal collaboration by
addressing cross-cutting priorities for food safety data collection,
analysis, and use. Additionally, as a part of tri-Agency public
meetings on the development of feasible and effective food safety
performance metrics held in March, July, and October 2010, stakeholders
identified the need for the three Federal food safety agencies to work
together and harmonize food source attribution efforts. This includes
working jointly to advance the science and methods available for
estimating attribution. As a result, IFSAC chose food source
attribution as its first food safety analytical challenge.
The initial objective of IFSAC is the estimation of source
attribution of foodborne infections to specific foods and settings.
This includes the understanding that continuous improvements to data
and the analytic methods available for generating attribution estimates
will provide more accurate assessments of the attribution of foodborne
illnesses across the broad range of commodities and points in the food
safety chain. In Summer 2011, the three agencies worked together to
develop a cohesive description of specific needs related to food source
attribution, which includes both short-term needs such as developing
shared attribution estimates for decision-making, as well as long-term
needs that focus on plans for reducing the uncertainty, improving data
and analytic methods, and obtaining comprehensive estimates of
attribution that are informed by multiple data sources and analytic
approaches. These needs, and the strategy for meeting these needs, were
captured in the draft IFSAC Strategic Plan for Attribution.
In October 2011, this plan was reviewed by three food safety
experts independent of the U.S. government, who did not provide any
consensus recommendations or advice, and in November 2011, it was
presented to members of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
surveillance workgroup. IFSAC also sought advice from the FDA Risk
Communication Advisory Committee (RCAC) on August 15-16, 2011, on how
to best communicate to stakeholders on the evolving methodology and
complex data sources involved in food source attribution. Meeting
materials, transcripts and meeting minutes from the RCAC meeting on
August 15-16, 2011, are available at https://www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/RiskCommunicationAdvisoryCommittee/ucm249108.htm. Based on the feedback
received on the Strategic Plan and communication challenges, IFSAC is
developing new strategies and communication materials to meet the needs
of the three agencies and food safety stakeholders.
The agencies will present the IFSAC Strategic Plan for Attribution
and will seek input on the opportunities and challenges to improve food
source attribution efforts in the United States. An agenda for the
meeting and the draft IFSAC Strategic Plan will be finalized on or
before the public meeting date and will be posted at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/meetings_&_events.
II. Registration
Due to limited space, FSIS encourages all persons who wish to
attend the meeting to register online at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/meetings_&_events by January 25, 2012.
III. Comments
Stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide oral comments.
Interested persons and organizations who desire an opportunity to make
an oral presentation during the time allotted for
[[Page 80875]]
public comments at the meeting are encouraged to register in advance by
January 9, 2012. Anyone registering to provide a public comment must
also provide a brief description of the comment and any material to be
used during the presentation by January 25, 2012.
In addition to this meeting, interested persons may submit comments
on or before March 1, 2012, using either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and
follow the online instructions at that site for submitting comments.
Mail, including CD-ROMS: Send to Docket Clerk, USDA, FSIS Docket
Room, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Patriots Plaza 3, Mailstop 3782,
Room 8-163A, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
Hand- or courier-delivered items: Deliver to the Docket Clerk,
USDA, FSIS Docket Room at Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E. Street SW., Room 8-
164, Washington, DC 20250 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday.
Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2011-0028. Comments
received in response to this docket will be made available for public
inspection and posted without change, including any personal
information, to https://www.regulations.gov.
Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, go
to the FSIS Docket Room at Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E. Street SW., Room 8-
164, Washington, DC 20250 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday.
IV. Transcripts
As soon as the meeting transcripts are available, they will be
accessible on the FSIS Web site at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news/meetings_&_events. The transcripts may also be viewed at the FSIS
Docket Room at the address listed above.
Additional Public Notification
FSIS will announce this notice online through the FSIS Web page
located at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Federal_Register_Notices/index.asp.
FSIS will also make copies of this Federal Register publication
available through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide
information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal
Register notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information
that could affect or would be of interest to constituents and
stakeholders. The Update is communicated via Listserv, a free
electronic mail subscription service for industry, trade groups,
consumer interest groups, health professionals, and other individuals
who have asked to be included. The Update is also available on the FSIS
Web page. In addition, FSIS offers an electronic mail subscription
service which provides automatic and customized access to selected food
safety news and information. This service is available at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Email_Subscription/. Options range
from recalls to export information to regulations, directives, and
notices. Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves, and have
the option to password protect their accounts.
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on
the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age,
disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or
family status (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs).
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for
communication of program information (Braille, large print, and
audiotape) should contact USDA's Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice
and TTY).
To file a written complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office
of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TTY).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Done at Washington, DC on December 19, 2011.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011-33018 Filed 12-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P