Preventing Undeclared Allergens: A Strategic Approach To Reducing Recalls, 10562-10563 [2017-02939]

Download as PDF 10562 Notices Federal Register Vol. 82, No. 29 Tuesday, February 14, 2017 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food Safety and Inspection Service [Docket No. FSIS–2017–0005] Preventing Undeclared Allergens: A Strategic Approach To Reducing Recalls Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notification of public meeting. AGENCY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), with participation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), international partners, and academic institutions, is hosting a public meeting to discuss the prevention of undeclared allergens in FSIS-regulated product. Specifically, the meeting will address the continued occurrence of product recalls due to undeclared allergens and best practices for preventing the presence of undeclared allergens in FSIS-regulated products. Topics will focus on FSIS policy and enforcement regarding undeclared allergens, labeling compliance, best practices for prevention, and emerging issues. Industry and interested individuals, organizations, and other stakeholders are invited to participate in the meeting and comment on these topics. DATES: The public meeting will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2017, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Jefferson Auditorium in the South Building, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 14th & Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250. The South Building is a Federal facility, and attendees should plan adequate time to pass through the security screening systems. Attendance is free. Non-USDA employees must enter through the Wing 3 entrance on Independence Avenue. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:48 Feb 13, 2017 Jkt 241001 Attendees must be pre-registered for the meeting (and check-in onsite the day of the meeting) and show a valid photo ID to enter the building. See the preregistration instructions under ‘‘Registration and Meeting Materials.’’ Only registered attendees will be permitted to enter the building. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Evelyn Arce, Outreach and Partnership Analyst, Office of Outreach, Employee Education and Training, FSIS, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Mail Stop 3778, Washington, DC 20250; Telephone: (202) 418–8903; Fax: (202) 690–6519; Email: Evelyn.Arce@ fsis.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background More than 170 foods have been reported to cause allergic reactions. However, eight of the most common allergenic foods, usually referred to as the ‘‘Big 8,’’ account for 90 percent of all food allergic reactions and are the sources from which many other allergenic ingredients are derived. The Big 8 food allergens are wheat, crustacean shellfish (e.g., shrimp, crab, lobster), eggs, fish, peanuts, milk, tree nuts (e.g., almonds, pecans, walnuts), and soybeans. Food allergies are increasing in reported prevalence and present a significant public health problem that affects both adults and children. Food allergens may be ingredients in meat, poultry, and egg products and thus the presence of undeclared allergens in these products may result in adverse health outcomes for certain individuals. FSIS-regulated establishments are required to declare all ingredients, including allergens, on the product label (9 CFR 317.2(f)(1), 381.118(a)(1), and 590.411(c)(1)). If FSIS finds that product under its jurisdiction in commerce contains undeclared allergens, FSIS will request that the establishment recall the product. Since 2008, FSIS has seen a notable increase in the number of recalls due to undeclared allergens in FSIS-regulated products. Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act, meat, poultry, and egg products that contain an allergen not declared on the product label are adulterated because, to individuals who are allergic to the allergen, the products PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 bear or contain a poisonous or deleterious substance (21 U.S.C. 453(g)(1), 601(m)(1), and 1033(a)(1)). Furthermore, the meat, poultry, and egg products also are misbranded because the labeling is false and misleading (21 U.S.C. 453(h)(1), 601(n)(1) and 1033(l)). The presence of undeclared allergens in product is often preventable, as it results from incorrect labeling or packaging of products, due to unexpected product and ingredient changes, cross-contamination of product during processing, and other types of procedural and human error. To address the presence of undeclared allergens in product and the increasing number of recalls involving undeclared allergens, FSIS, with speakers from FDA, CDC, international partners and academic institutions, is hosting a public meeting to highlight the problem of undeclared allergens in food, food allergy trends, and best practices for preventing undeclared allergen-related recalls. In addition to holding this public meeting, FSIS has developed a compliance guideline to assist establishments in addressing the hazards posed by allergens in their products, available at: https:// www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/ f9cbb0e9-6b4d-4132-ae2753e0b52e840e/AllergensIngredients.pdf?MOD=AJPERES. FSIS updates this guidance as necessary as new information becomes available. II. Registration and Meeting Materials There is no fee to register for the public meeting, but pre-registration is mandatory for participants attending inperson. On-site registration will not be permitted. Early registration is recommended as space is limited. All attendees must register online by emailing AllergenPublicMeeting@ fsis.usda.gov by March 9, 2017. FSIS will finalize an agenda on or before the meeting dates and post it on the FSIS Web page at https:// www.fsis.usda.gov/meetings. III. Public Comments and Participation in Meetings Public Comments: Oral Comments Stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide oral comments during the public meeting. Due to the anticipated high level of interest in the opportunity to make public comments and the E:\FR\FM\14FEN1.SGM 14FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 29 / Tuesday, February 14, 2017 / Notices limited time available to do so, FSIS will do its best to accommodate all persons who wish to express an opinion. FSIS encourages persons and groups who have similar interests to consolidate their information for presentation by a single representative. Public Comments: Written Comments Any stakeholders wishing to submit written comments before or after the meeting can do so on or before April 17, 2017, using any of the following methods: Electronically—go to https:// www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments; Mail, including CD–ROMS— send to Docket Clerk, USDA, FSIS Docket Room, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Patriots Plaza III, 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 III, 355 E Street SW., Room 8–164, Washington, DC 20250, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the Agency name and docket number: FSIS–2017– 0005. Written 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. For access to background documents or written comments received, go to the FSIS Docket Room at Patriots Plaza III, 355 E Street SW., Room 8–164, Washington, DC 20250, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Question-and-Answer Periods: Time has been allotted for audience questions after most presentations delivered during the meeting. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions via a microphone in the auditorium. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES IV. Transcripts The transcript of the proceedings from the public meeting will become part of the administrative record. As soon as the meeting transcripts are available they will be accessible on the FSIS Web site at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/ portal/fsis/newsroom/meetings. The transcripts may also be viewed at the FSIS Docket Room at the address listed above. Additional Public Notification Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy development is important. Consequently, FSIS will announce this Federal Register publication online through the FSIS VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:48 Feb 13, 2017 Jkt 241001 Web page located at: https:// www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register. FSIS also will make copies of this 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 our constituents and stakeholders. The Update is available on the FSIS Web page. Through the Web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a much broader, more diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an email 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/subscribe. Options range from recalls to export information, regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves, and have the option to password protect their accounts. USDA Non-Discrimination Statement No agency, officer, or employee of the USDA shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/ parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, or political beliefs, exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to discrimination any person in the United States under any program or activity conducted by the USDA. How To File a Complaint of Discrimination To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at https:// www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/ docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_ 12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you or your authorized representative. Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, or email: Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250–9410. Fax: (202) 690–7442. Email: program.intake@usda.gov. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 10563 Done at Washington, DC, on: February 9, 2017. Alfred V. Almanza, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2017–02939 Filed 2–13–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Meeting of the Iowa Advisory Committee for an Orientation Meeting and To Discuss Civil Rights Topics in the State U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. ACTION: Announcement of meeting. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act that the Iowa Advisory Committee (Committee) will hold a meeting on Wednesday, February 22, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. CST for the purpose of committee orientation and a discussion on civil rights topics affecting the state. DATES: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. CST. Public Call Information: Dial: 888– 747–4660, Conference ID: 4797897. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Barreras, DFO, at dbarreras@ usccr.gov or 312–353–8311. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members of the public can listen to the discussion. This meeting is available to the public through the following tollfree call-in number: 888–747–4660, conference ID: 4797897. Any interested member of the public may call this number and listen to the meeting. An open comment period will be provided to allow members of the public to make a statement as time allows. The conference call operator will ask callers to identify themselves, the organization they are affiliated with (if any), and an email address prior to placing callers into the conference room. Callers can expect to incur regular charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, according to their wireless plan. The Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over landline connections to the toll-free telephone number. Persons with hearing impairments may also follow the proceedings by first calling the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–977–8339 and providing the Service with the conference call number and conference ID number. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\14FEN1.SGM 14FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 14, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10562-10563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-02939]


========================================================================
Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 29 / Tuesday, February 14, 2017 / 
Notices

[[Page 10562]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2017-0005]


Preventing Undeclared Allergens: A Strategic Approach To Reducing 
Recalls

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notification of public meeting.

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

SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), with 
participation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), international partners, and 
academic institutions, is hosting a public meeting to discuss the 
prevention of undeclared allergens in FSIS-regulated product. 
Specifically, the meeting will address the continued occurrence of 
product recalls due to undeclared allergens and best practices for 
preventing the presence of undeclared allergens in FSIS-regulated 
products. Topics will focus on FSIS policy and enforcement regarding 
undeclared allergens, labeling compliance, best practices for 
prevention, and emerging issues. Industry and interested individuals, 
organizations, and other stakeholders are invited to participate in the 
meeting and comment on these topics.

DATES: The public meeting will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2017, 
8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Jefferson Auditorium in the 
South Building, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 14th & 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250. The South Building is a 
Federal facility, and attendees should plan adequate time to pass 
through the security screening systems. Attendance is free. Non-USDA 
employees must enter through the Wing 3 entrance on Independence 
Avenue. Attendees must be pre-registered for the meeting (and check-in 
onsite the day of the meeting) and show a valid photo ID to enter the 
building. See the pre-registration instructions under ``Registration 
and Meeting Materials.'' Only registered attendees will be permitted to 
enter the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Evelyn Arce, Outreach and Partnership 
Analyst, Office of Outreach, Employee Education and Training, FSIS, 
1400 Independence Ave. SW., Mail Stop 3778, Washington, DC 20250; 
Telephone: (202) 418-8903; Fax: (202) 690-6519; Email: 
Evelyn.Arce@fsis.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    More than 170 foods have been reported to cause allergic reactions. 
However, eight of the most common allergenic foods, usually referred to 
as the ``Big 8,'' account for 90 percent of all food allergic reactions 
and are the sources from which many other allergenic ingredients are 
derived. The Big 8 food allergens are wheat, crustacean shellfish 
(e.g., shrimp, crab, lobster), eggs, fish, peanuts, milk, tree nuts 
(e.g., almonds, pecans, walnuts), and soybeans.
    Food allergies are increasing in reported prevalence and present a 
significant public health problem that affects both adults and 
children. Food allergens may be ingredients in meat, poultry, and egg 
products and thus the presence of undeclared allergens in these 
products may result in adverse health outcomes for certain individuals. 
FSIS-regulated establishments are required to declare all ingredients, 
including allergens, on the product label (9 CFR 317.2(f)(1), 
381.118(a)(1), and 590.411(c)(1)). If FSIS finds that product under its 
jurisdiction in commerce contains undeclared allergens, FSIS will 
request that the establishment recall the product.
    Since 2008, FSIS has seen a notable increase in the number of 
recalls due to undeclared allergens in FSIS-regulated products. Under 
the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, 
and the Egg Products Inspection Act, meat, poultry, and egg products 
that contain an allergen not declared on the product label are 
adulterated because, to individuals who are allergic to the allergen, 
the products bear or contain a poisonous or deleterious substance (21 
U.S.C. 453(g)(1), 601(m)(1), and 1033(a)(1)). Furthermore, the meat, 
poultry, and egg products also are misbranded because the labeling is 
false and misleading (21 U.S.C. 453(h)(1), 601(n)(1) and 1033(l)). The 
presence of undeclared allergens in product is often preventable, as it 
results from incorrect labeling or packaging of products, due to 
unexpected product and ingredient changes, cross-contamination of 
product during processing, and other types of procedural and human 
error.
    To address the presence of undeclared allergens in product and the 
increasing number of recalls involving undeclared allergens, FSIS, with 
speakers from FDA, CDC, international partners and academic 
institutions, is hosting a public meeting to highlight the problem of 
undeclared allergens in food, food allergy trends, and best practices 
for preventing undeclared allergen-related recalls.
    In addition to holding this public meeting, FSIS has developed a 
compliance guideline to assist establishments in addressing the hazards 
posed by allergens in their products, available at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/f9cbb0e9-6b4d-4132-ae27-53e0b52e840e/Allergens-Ingredients.pdf?MOD=AJPERES. FSIS updates this guidance as 
necessary as new information becomes available.

II. Registration and Meeting Materials

    There is no fee to register for the public meeting, but pre-
registration is mandatory for participants attending in-person. On-site 
registration will not be permitted. Early registration is recommended 
as space is limited. All attendees must register online by emailing 
AllergenPublicMeeting@fsis.usda.gov by March 9, 2017.
    FSIS will finalize an agenda on or before the meeting dates and 
post it on the FSIS Web page at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/meetings.

III. Public Comments and Participation in Meetings

Public Comments: Oral Comments

    Stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide oral comments 
during the public meeting. Due to the anticipated high level of 
interest in the opportunity to make public comments and the

[[Page 10563]]

limited time available to do so, FSIS will do its best to accommodate 
all persons who wish to express an opinion. FSIS encourages persons and 
groups who have similar interests to consolidate their information for 
presentation by a single representative.

Public Comments: Written Comments

    Any stakeholders wishing to submit written comments before or after 
the meeting can do so on or before April 17, 2017, using any of the 
following methods: Electronically--go to https://www.regulations.gov and 
follow the online instructions for submitting comments; Mail, including 
CD-ROMS--send to Docket Clerk, USDA, FSIS Docket Room, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Patriots Plaza III, 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 
III, 355 E Street SW., Room 8-164, Washington, DC 20250, between 8:30 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
    All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the 
Agency name and docket number: FSIS-2017-0005. Written 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. For access to background 
documents or written comments received, go to the FSIS Docket Room at 
Patriots Plaza III, 355 E Street SW., Room 8-164, Washington, DC 20250, 
between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
    Question-and-Answer Periods: Time has been allotted for audience 
questions after most presentations delivered during the meeting. 
Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions via a 
microphone in the auditorium.

IV. Transcripts

    The transcript of the proceedings from the public meeting will 
become part of the administrative record. As soon as the meeting 
transcripts are available they will be accessible on the FSIS Web site 
at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/meetings. The 
transcripts may also be viewed at the FSIS Docket Room at the address 
listed above.

Additional Public Notification

    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, FSIS will announce this Federal 
Register publication online through the FSIS Web page located at: 
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.
    FSIS also will make copies of this 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 our constituents and 
stakeholders. The Update is available on the FSIS Web page. Through the 
Web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a much broader, more 
diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an email 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/subscribe. Options range from recalls to export 
information, regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add or 
delete subscriptions themselves, and have the option to password 
protect their accounts.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

    No agency, officer, or employee of the USDA shall, on the grounds 
of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual 
orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, 
income derived from a public assistance program, or political beliefs, 
exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to 
discrimination any person in the United States under any program or 
activity conducted by the USDA.

How To File a Complaint of Discrimination

    To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program 
Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at https://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you or your 
authorized representative.
    Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, 
or email:
    Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of 
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410.
    Fax: (202) 690-7442.
    Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should contact 
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

    Done at Washington, DC, on: February 9, 2017.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2017-02939 Filed 2-13-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P
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