Descriptive Designation for Needle- or Blade-Tenderized (Mechanically Tenderized) Beef Products, 48631-48632 [2013-19322]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 154 / Friday, August 9, 2013 / Proposed Rules Done in Washington, DC, this 5th day of August 2013. Kevin Shea, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2013–19314 Filed 8–8–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food Safety and Inspection Service 9 CFR Part 317 [Docket No. FSIS–2008–0017] Descriptive Designation for Needle- or Blade-Tenderized (Mechanically Tenderized) Beef Products Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period. AGENCY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is extending the comment period for the Federal Register proposed rule, ‘‘Descriptive Designation for Needle- or bladetenderized (Mechanically Tenderized) Beef Products’’ until October 8, 2013. The Agency is taking this action in response to two requests made by trade associations. DATES: Comments are due by October 8, 2013. ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this notice. Comments may be submitted by either of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: This Web site provides the ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this Web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for submitting comments. Mail, including CD–ROMs: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop 3782, Room 8–163B, Washington, DC 20250–3700. Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E Street SW., Room 8–163B, Washington, DC 20250–3700. Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the Agency name and docket number FSIS– 2007–0017. 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. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:50 Aug 08, 2013 Jkt 229001 Docket: For access to background documents or to comments received, go to the FSIS Docket Room at Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E Street SW., Room 8–164, Washington, DC 20250–3700 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Edelstein, Assistant Administrator, Office of Policy and Program Development, Telephone: (202) 205–0495, or by Fax: (202) 720–2025. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 10, 2013, FSIS published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (78 FR 34589), ‘‘Descriptive Designation for Needle- or blade-tenderized (Mechanically Tenderized) Beef Products.’’ In the rule, FSIS is proposing to require the use of the descriptive designation ‘‘mechanically tenderized’’ on the labels of raw or partially cooked needle- or blade-tenderized beef products, including beef products injected with marinade or solution, unless such products are destined to be fully cooked at an official establishment. FSIS is proposing that the product name for such beef products include the descriptive designation ‘‘mechanically tenderized’’ and an accurate description of the beef component. FSIS is also proposing to require that the print for all words in the product name appear in the same style, color, and size and on a single-color contrasting background. In addition, FSIS is proposing to require that labels of raw and partially cooked needle- or blade-tenderized beef products destined for household consumers, hotels, restaurants, or similar institutions include validated cooking instructions that inform consumers that these products need to be cooked to a specified minimum internal temperature, and whether they need to be held at that minimum temperature for a specified time before consumption, i.e., dwell time or rest time, to ensure that they are fully cooked. FSIS is also announcing that it has posted on its Web site guidance for developing validated cooking instructions for mechanically tenderized product. Two trade associations addressed letters to FSIS requesting an additional 120 days to comment on the proposed rule and the guidance for validated cooking instructions. Both letters stated that additional time was needed to submit comprehensive comments because the Agency had asked for comment on not only the proposed rule and the guidance but also on numerous related issues. PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 48631 For the reason given in these requests, FSIS agrees to extend the comment period. The Agency believes that an additional 60-day extension is sufficient. The comment period for the proposed rule will now end on October 8, 2013. USDA Nondiscrimination Statement The U.S. Department of Agriculture (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, audiotape, etc.) 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. Additional Public Notification FSIS will announce this notice online through the FSIS Web page located at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/ fsis/topics/regulations/federal-register/ federal-register-notices. 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/wps/portal/ fsis/programs-and-services/emailsubscription-service. 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. E:\FR\FM\09AUP1.SGM 09AUP1 48632 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 154 / Friday, August 9, 2013 / Proposed Rules Done at Washington, DC, on: August 2, 2013. Alfred V. Almanza, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2013–19322 Filed 8–8–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION 12 CFR Parts 602, 618 and 621 RIN 3052–AC76 Releasing Information; General Provisions; Accounting and Reporting Requirements; Reports of Accounts and Exposures Farm Credit Administration. Proposed rule. AGENCY: ACTION: The Farm Credit Administration (FCA, we, or our) is proposing to establish a regulatory framework for the reliable, timely, accurate, and complete reporting of Farm Credit System (System) accounts and exposures for examination activities and risk evaluation. The proposed regulation specifies the reporting requirement(s) and performance responsibilities, including, but not limited to, establishing uniform and standard data fields to be collected from all System institutions and a disciplined and secure delivery of information. The proposed regulation would authorize a Reporting Entity (defined as the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation (Funding Corporation) or an entity approved by FCA), to collect data from all banks and associations and serve as the central data repository manager. Additionally, the proposed regulation would require all banks and associations to provide data to the Reporting Entity to facilitate the collection, enhancement, and reporting of data to FCA. DATES: Comments on this proposed rule must be submitted on or before September 9, 2013. ADDRESSES: We offer a variety of methods for you to submit your comments. For accuracy and efficiency reasons, commenters are encouraged to submit comments by email or through the FCA’s Web site. As facsimiles (fax) are difficult for us to process and achieve compliance with section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, we do not accept comments submitted by fax. Regardless of the method you use, please do not submit your comment multiple times via different methods. You may submit comments by any of the following methods: • Email: Send us an email at regcomm@fca.gov. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:50 Aug 08, 2013 Jkt 229001 • FCA Web site: https://www.fca.gov. Select ‘‘Public Commenters,’’ then ‘‘Public Comments,’’ and follow the directions for ‘‘Submitting a Comment.’’ • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Barry F. Mardock, Deputy Director, Office of Regulatory Policy, Farm Credit Administration, 1501 Farm Credit Drive, McLean, VA 22102–5090. You may review copies of all comments we receive at our office in McLean, Virginia, or from our Web site at https://www.fca.gov. Once you are in the Web site, select ‘‘Public Commenters,’’ then ‘‘Public Comments,’’ and follow the directions for ‘‘Reading Submitted Public Comments.’’ We will show your comments as submitted, but for technical reasons we may omit items such as logos and special characters. Identifying information you provide, such as phone numbers and addresses, will be publicly available. However, we will attempt to remove email addresses to help reduce Internet spam. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Coleman, Senior Policy Analyst, Office of Regulatory Policy, Farm Credit Administration, McLean, VA 22102– 5090, (703) 883–4491, TTY (703) 883– 4056, or Jane Virga, Senior Counsel, Office of General Counsel, Farm Credit Administration, McLean, VA 22102– 5090, (703) 883–4020, TTY (703) 883– 4056. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Objectives The objectives of this proposed rule are to: • Reaffirm the authority for the FCA to collect data on System institution accounts and exposures for examination activities and risk evaluation; • Require all banks and associations to provide data on accounts and exposures to the Reporting Entity, for the purposes of reporting to the FCA; and • Establish the authority for and responsibilities of the Reporting Entity to collect, store, manage, and extrapolate data on accounts and exposures for reporting to the FCA. II. Background The Farm Credit Act of 1971, as amended (Act),1 authorizes the FCA to issue regulations implementing the Act’s provisions.2 Our regulations are intended to ensure the safe and sound operations of System institutions. In 1 Public Law 92–181, 85 Stat. 583 (1971), 12 U.S.C. 2001 et seq. 2 12 U.S.C. 2252(a)(8), (9), and (10). PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 order to meet FCA’s responsibility to ensure the safety and soundness of System institutions, we must have reliable, timely, accurate, and complete information about each banks’ and associations’ assets and liabilities. Section 5.22A of the Act and § 621.12(a) of FCA regulations require each System institution to prepare and file such reports of condition and performance as may be required by FCA. Further clarification is provided in § 621.12(b), which states that these reports of condition and performance must be filed four times a year and may include such additional reports as may be necessary to ensure timely, complete, and accurate monitoring and evaluation of the affairs, condition, and performance of System institutions as determined by the Chief Examiner. In addition, § 621.12(c) requires all reports of condition and performance to be submitted electronically in accordance with the instructions prescribed by FCA. Also, section 5.9(4) of the Act provides FCA the power to require such reports as it deems necessary from System institutions.3 For over a decade, the FCA has collected detailed asset reports through loan data extracts from System institutions to facilitate examination activities and risk evaluation, and shared the data with the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation (FCSIC) on a confidential basis. The need for consistent, comprehensive, and comparable data across all System institutions has evolved, as the complexity and volume of assets has increased. The availability of quality and timely data on accounts and exposures, including any loan, lease, letter of credit, derivative, or, any other asset, liability, other balance sheet account, or off-balance sheet exposure, has become critical to efficient and effective examination activities and risk evaluation. Accordingly, we continue to work with the System to collect more comprehensive data submissions and enhance the reporting to facilitate the evaluation of changing lending risks and conditions. An integral component of the FCA’s and FCSIC’s ability to quickly and accurately identify and respond to risk is the collection of data on, and identification of, shared assets. Shared assets are any account or exposure where two or more System institutions have assumed a portion of the asset’s benefits or risks. On October 3, 2012, 3 Further, under section 5.17(a)(11) of the Act, the FCA may ‘‘[e]xercise such incidental powers as may be necessary or appropriate to fulfill its duties and carry out the purposes of {the} Act.’’ E:\FR\FM\09AUP1.SGM 09AUP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 154 (Friday, August 9, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48631-48632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19322]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 317

[Docket No. FSIS-2008-0017]


Descriptive Designation for Needle- or Blade-Tenderized 
(Mechanically Tenderized) Beef Products

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is extending the 
comment period for the Federal Register proposed rule, ``Descriptive 
Designation for Needle- or blade-tenderized (Mechanically Tenderized) 
Beef Products'' until October 8, 2013. The Agency is taking this action 
in response to two requests made by trade associations.

DATES: Comments are due by October 8, 2013.

ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this 
notice. Comments may be submitted by either of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: This Web site provides the ability to 
type short comments directly into the comment field on this Web page or 
attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for 
submitting comments.
    Mail, including CD-ROMs: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop 3782, Room 8-163B, Washington, DC 
20250-3700.
    Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to Patriots Plaza 3, 
355 E Street SW., Room 8-163B, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2007-0017. 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 to comments received, 
go to the FSIS Docket Room at Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E Street SW., Room 
8-164, Washington, DC 20250-3700 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Edelstein, Assistant 
Administrator, Office of Policy and Program Development, Telephone: 
(202) 205-0495, or by Fax: (202) 720-2025.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 10, 2013, FSIS published a proposed 
rule in the Federal Register (78 FR 34589), ``Descriptive Designation 
for Needle- or blade-tenderized (Mechanically Tenderized) Beef 
Products.''
    In the rule, FSIS is proposing to require the use of the 
descriptive designation ``mechanically tenderized'' on the labels of 
raw or partially cooked needle- or blade-tenderized beef products, 
including beef products injected with marinade or solution, unless such 
products are destined to be fully cooked at an official establishment. 
FSIS is proposing that the product name for such beef products include 
the descriptive designation ``mechanically tenderized'' and an accurate 
description of the beef component. FSIS is also proposing to require 
that the print for all words in the product name appear in the same 
style, color, and size and on a single-color contrasting background. In 
addition, FSIS is proposing to require that labels of raw and partially 
cooked needle- or blade-tenderized beef products destined for household 
consumers, hotels, restaurants, or similar institutions include 
validated cooking instructions that inform consumers that these 
products need to be cooked to a specified minimum internal temperature, 
and whether they need to be held at that minimum temperature for a 
specified time before consumption, i.e., dwell time or rest time, to 
ensure that they are fully cooked.
    FSIS is also announcing that it has posted on its Web site guidance 
for developing validated cooking instructions for mechanically 
tenderized product.
    Two trade associations addressed letters to FSIS requesting an 
additional 120 days to comment on the proposed rule and the guidance 
for validated cooking instructions. Both letters stated that additional 
time was needed to submit comprehensive comments because the Agency had 
asked for comment on not only the proposed rule and the guidance but 
also on numerous related issues.
    For the reason given in these requests, FSIS agrees to extend the 
comment period. The Agency believes that an additional 60-day extension 
is sufficient. The comment period for the proposed rule will now end on 
October 8, 2013.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (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, audiotape, 
etc.) 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.

Additional Public Notification

    FSIS will announce this notice online through the FSIS Web page 
located at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulations/federal-register/federal-register-notices.
    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/wps/portal/fsis/programs-and-services/email-subscription-service. 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.


[[Page 48632]]


    Done at Washington, DC, on: August 2, 2013.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2013-19322 Filed 8-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P

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