Food Safety and Inspection Service 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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Notice of Request for a New Information Collection (Application for Return of Exported Products)
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice announces the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) intention to request a new information collection regarding the application for the return of exported meat, poultry, and egg products to the United States.
Addition of the People's Republic of China To the List of Countries Eligible To Export Processed Poultry and Poultry Products to the United States
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to add the People's Republic of China to the list of countries eligible to export processed poultry and poultry products to the United States. Reviews of the People's Republic of China's laws, regulations, and other materials show that its poultry processing system includes requirements equivalent to all provisions in the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) and its implementing regulations. FSIS is proposing to allow processed poultry products from the People's Republic of China to be imported into the United States only if they are processed in certified establishments in the People's Republic of China from poultry slaughtered in certified slaughter establishments in other countries eligible to export poultry to the United States. China is not currently eligible to export poultry products to the United States that include birds that were slaughtered in China's domestic establishments. Under this proposed rule, all poultry products exported from the People's Republic of China to the United States will be subject to reinspection at the U.S. ports-of- entry by FSIS inspectors as required by law.
Addition of Chile to the List of Countries Eligible To Export Meat and Meat Products to the United States
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is adding Chile to the list of countries eligible to export meat and meat products to the United States. FSIS conducted a thorough review of Chile's meat slaughter and processing inspection system, including an on-site review of its meat inspection system in operation. FSIS concluded that Chile's meat inspection laws, regulations, and other written materials demonstrate that they establish requirements that are equivalent to the relevant requirements of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and its implementing regulations, and that Chile's implementation of meat inspection standards and procedures is equivalent to that of the United States. Meat and meat products slaughtered and processed in certified Chilean establishments may be exported to the United States. All such products will be subject to re-inspection by FSIS inspectors at U.S. ports-of-entry as required by law.
Nominations for the Howard E. Bauman Award
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), a public health regulatory agency committed to ensuring that the nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged, is soliciting nominations for the Howard E. Bauman Award. The award was created to recognize one or more persons who have shown longstanding commitment, leadership, and service to improving food safety. The Agency is interested in receiving nominations of persons who have positively affected food safety and public health.
National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection
The National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) will hold a public meeting on November 15-16, 2005. At this meeting, the Agency will present and seek input on matters it will address in moving to a more risk-based approach to inspection as well as how to use data to enhance the effectiveness and the efficiency of this approach. Subcommittees will also meet on November 15, 2005, to discuss issues covered during the full committee session.
New Technology Web Site Contents; Response to Comments
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the availability on its Web site of information regarding new technologies for use in the production of meat, poultry, and egg products that the Agency has received and for which FSIS has written a ``No Objection'' letter. The Web site will include brief descriptions of the new technologies. The availability of this information should increase public and industry awareness of new technologies and foster their use by small and very small plants.
Addition of San Marino to the List of Countries Eligible To Export Meat Products to the United States
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is adding San Marino to the list of countries eligible to export meat products to the United States. FSIS conducted a thorough review of the San Marino meat processing inspection system, including an on-site review of the San Marino meat processing inspection system in operation. FSIS concluded that San Marino's meat processing laws, regulations, and other written materials demonstrate that they establish requirements that are equivalent to the relevant requirements of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and its implementing regulations, and that San Marino's implementation of meat processing standards and procedures is equivalent to that of the United States. Meat products from San Marino may be imported into the United States only if these products are processed in certified establishments in San Marino and are derived from animals that were slaughtered only in certified establishments located in other countries that are eligible to export meat to the United States as a result of their slaughter inspection systems having been found equivalent to that of the United States. At present, San Marino will be eligible to export only processed pork products and not meat food products containing livestock product other than pork to the United States. San Marino did not ask to be approved for slaughter of pork. All meat products exported from San Marino to the United States will be subject to reinspection at the U.S. ports-of-entry by FSIS inspectors as required by law.
Treatment of Live Poultry Before Slaughter
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is reminding all poultry slaughter establishments that, under the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) and Agency regulations, live poultry must be handled in a manner that is consistent with good commercial practices, which means they should be treated humanely. Although there is no specific federal humane handling and slaughter statute for poultry, under the PPIA, poultry products are more likely to be adulterated if, among other circumstances, they are produced from birds that have not been treated humanely, because such birds are more likely to be bruised or to die other than by slaughter.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), are sponsoring a public meeting on November 10, 2005. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the 14th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Melbourne, Australia, November 28-December 2, 2005. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 14th Session of CCFICS and to address items on the agenda.
National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods
This notice announces that the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will hold public meetings of the full Committee and subcommittees on September 26-29, 2005. The Committee will discuss: (1) Consumer guidelines for the safe cooking of poultry products, (2) analytical utility of Campylobacter methodologies, and (3) determination of cooking parameters for safe seafood for consumers.
Public Meeting on the Food Safety Institute of the Americas
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing that it will hold a public meeting on September 29-30, 2005, in Miami, Florida, to review and discuss the progress made by the Food Safety Institute of the Americas (FSIA). The FSIA was created as an innovative approach for integrating scientific food safety education, information, communication, and outreach in the Americas. During the public meeting, the following issues relating to the FSIA will be discussed: (1) Presentation of assessment and analysis of educational and informational needs identified through a survey administered by FSIA's partners, the University of Florida and Miami Dade College; (2) presentation of FSIA's 3-5 year Strategic Plan; (3) establishing strategies and best practices for developing and delivering programs identified through the needs survey; and (4) planning next steps for the FSIA in fostering collaboration and partnership development of the proposed FSIA colleges. The public meeting will be an interactive session. Discussions will be conducted in plenary sessions for each of the above four issues.
Allowing Bar-Type Cut Turkey Operations To Use J-Type Cut Maximum Line Speeds
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to amend the Federal poultry products inspection regulations to provide that turkey slaughter establishments that open turkey carcasses with Bar-type cuts may operate at the maximum line speeds established for J- type cuts, if the establishment uses the specific type of shackle described in this proposed rule. Under this proposed rule, as under current regulations, the inspector in charge will reduce line speeds when, in his or her judgment, the prescribed inspection procedure cannot be adequately performed within the time available because of the health conditions of a particular flock or because of other factors. Such factors include the manner in which birds are being presented to the inspector for inspection and the level of contamination among the birds on the line.
Prohibition of the Use of Specified Risk Materials for Human Food and Requirements for the Disposition of Non-Ambulatory Disabled Cattle
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending its interim final rule, ``Prohibition of the Use of Specified Risk Materials for Human Food and Requirements for the Disposition of Non- Ambulatory Cattle,'' published in the Federal Register on January 12, 2004. The amendments permit beef small intestine, excluding the distal ileum, to be used for human food, provided that such product is derived from cattle that were slaughtered in an official establishment in the United States or in a certified foreign establishment from a foreign country that is eligible to export beef products to the United States. Although the distal ileum is the only portion of the small intestine in which BSE infectivity has been confirmed, the January 2004 interim final rule requires that the entire small intestine of all cattle be removed and disposed of as inedible. FSIS is taking this action based on the Agency's evaluation of this issue and of the comments received on the interim final rule, as well as comments received on an advance notice of proposed rulemaking published in July 2004. FSIS has concluded that the distal ileum can be effectively removed from the rest of the small intestine. FSIS has determined that removal of the distal ileum in accordance with the amendments in this document will provide the same level of protection from human exposure to the BSE agent as does the exclusion of the entire small intestine from the human food supply.
Notice of a Section 610 Regulatory Flexibility Act Review of the Pathogen Reduction/Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems Final Rule
The FSIS is conducting a review of the regulations established by the Pathogen Reduction/Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) final rule under Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended. These provisions require that all Federal agencies review existing regulations that have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities to determine whether the associated impact can be minimized. FSIS is seeking comment from the public, especially from small meat and poultry establishments, on the regulations established by the Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Systems (HACCP) final rule.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), are sponsoring a public meeting on October 18, 2005. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the 27th Session of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Bonn, Germany, November 21- 25, 2005. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 27th Session of CCNFSDU and to address items on the agenda.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Fifth Session of the Codex ad hoc
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), are sponsoring a public meeting on August 30, 2005, to provide draft U.S. positions and receive public comments on agenda items that will be discussed at the Fifth Session of the Codex ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Chiba, Japan, September 19-23, 2005. The Under Secretary and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to comment on the agenda items that will be debated at this forthcoming Session of the FBT.
Public Meeting on Advances in Pre-Harvest Reduction of Salmonella
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing that it will hold a public meeting on Advances in Pre-Harvest Reduction of Salmonella in Poultry on August 25 and August 26, 2005, in Athens, GA. The meeting will consist of presentations on research and practical experiences aimed at reducing Salmonella at the poultry production level, before poultry reaches federally inspected plants. This meeting is the first in a series of public meetings that FSIS intends to hold to discuss new approaches for strengthening food safety.
Notice of Request for a New Information Collection (Voluntary Recalls of Meat and Poultry Products)
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice announces the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) intention to request a new information collection regarding the voluntary recalls from commerce of meat and poultry products.
National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods
This notice announces that the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will hold public meetings of the full Committee and subcommittees on July 12-15, 2005. The Committee will discuss: (1) Analytical utility of Campylobacter methodologies, (2) Determination of cooking parameters for safe seafood for consumers, and (3) Consumer guidelines for the safe cooking of poultry products.
Termination of Designation of the State of North Dakota With Respect to the Inspection of Poultry Products
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending the poultry products inspection regulations by terminating the designation of the State of North Dakota under sections 1 through 4, 6 through 10, 11(b), 11(c), and 12 through 22 of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA). FSIS has concluded that North Dakota is in a position to administer a State poultry inspection program, which is at least equal to the Federal poultry products inspection program.
Food Standards: Requirements for Substitute Standardized Meat and Poultry Products Named by Use of an Expressed Nutrient Content Claim and a Standardized Term
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending the Federal meat and poultry products inspection regulations to establish a general definition and standard of identity for standardized meat and poultry products that have been modified to qualify for use of an expressed nutrient content claim in their product names. These products will be identified by an expressed nutrient content claim, such as ``fat free,'' ``low fat,'' and ``light,'' in conjunction with an appropriate standardized term, e.g., ``low fat bologna.'' FSIS is taking this action to: Assist consumers in maintaining healthy dietary practices by providing for modified versions of standardized meat and poultry products that have reductions of certain constituents that are of health concern to some consumers, such as fat, cholesterol, and sodium; increase regulatory flexibility and support product innovation, and provide consumers with an informative nutrition labeling system.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: 28th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is sponsoring a public meeting on June 9, 2005. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States' positions that will be discussed at the 28th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) to be held in Rome, Italy, July 4-9, 2005. The Under Secretary for Food Safety recognizes the importance of providing interested parties with the opportunity to obtain background information on the 28th Session of CAC and to address items on the agenda.
Availability of Question and Answer Documents
The Food Safety and Inspection Service is announcing the availability of two question and answer (Q&A) documents concerning FSIS Directives 5000.2 (``Review of Establishment Data by Inspection Program Personnel''), 6420.2 (``Verification of Procedures for controlling Fecal Material, Ingesta, and Milk in Slaughter Operations''), and 10,010.1, Revision 1 (``Microbiological Testing Program and Other Verification Activities for Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Raw Ground Beef Products and Raw Ground Beef Components and Beef Patty Components'') (see ADDRESSES). The Agency is announcing the availability of these documents now because they contain information about Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7, which is particularly relevant at this time because the United States is in the seasonal period when the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 may be higher than during other times of the year.
National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection
The National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) will hold a public meeting on June 16-17, 2005, to review and discuss the following issues: (1) How can FSIS best share information on new technology with small and very small plants? (2) What guidance can be provided to industry to ensure that plants hold product when FSIS tests product for an adulterant? (3) How can risk based sampling most effectively be conducted in small and very small plants? Three subcommittees will also meet on June 16-17, 2005, to work on the issues discussed during the full committee session.
International Standard-Setting Activities
This notice informs the public of the sanitary and phytosanitary standard-setting activities of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), in accordance with section 491 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended, and the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, Public Law 103-465, 108 Stat. 4809. This notice also provides a list of other standard-setting activities of Codex, including commodity standards, guidelines, codes of practice, and revised texts. This notice, which covers the time periods from June 1, 2004, to May 31, 2005, and June 1, 2005, to May 31, 2006, seeks comments on standards currently under consideration and recommendations for new standards.
HACCP Plan Reassessment for Mechanically Tenderized Beef Products
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is publishing this notice to inform establishments that produce mechanically tenderized beef products that their next annual HACCP plan reassessment for these products must take into account the fact that there have been three relatively recent Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 outbreaks associated with consumption of mechanically tenderized beef. This requirement applies to HACCP plan reassessments for raw and cooked mechanically tenderized beef products, including such products that are injected with marinade (or ``enhanced'' products). One outbreak that was associated with consumption of mechanically tenderized beef occurred in August 2000, one in June 2003, and one in August 2004. The occurrence of these outbreaks represents a change that would affect the hazard analysis and could alter the HACCP plans of establishments that produce mechanically tenderized beef products. Therefore, establishments that produce such products should consider the significance of the outbreaks and ensure that their HACCP plans adequately address relevant biological hazards, particularly E. coli O157:H7. If an establishment that produces mechanically tenderized beef products has already considered the significance of the three outbreaks as part of a HACCP plan reassessment, it need not repeat this effort. An establishment that has already conducted its 2005 reassessment for mechanically tenderized beef products and has not yet considered the significance of the three outbreaks as part of a HACCP plan reassessment should do so as part of its 2006 annual HACCP plan reassessment. FSIS invites comments on this notice.
Food Standards; General Principles and Food Standards Modernization
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (we, our, the agencies) are proposing to establish a set of general principles for food standards. The adherence to these principles will result in standards that will better promote honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers and protect the public, allow for technological advances in food production, be consistent with international food standards to the extent feasible, and be clear, simple, and easy to use for both manufacturers and the agencies that enforce compliance with the standards. The proposed general principles will establish the criteria that the agencies will use in considering whether a petition to establish, revise, or eliminate a food standard will be the basis for a proposed rule. In addition, each agency may propose to establish, revise, or eliminate a food standard on its own initiative or may propose revisions to a food standard in addition to those a petitioner has requested. These proposed general principles are the agencies' first step in instituting a process to modernize their standards of identity (and any accompanying standards of quality and fill of container) and standards of composition.
Addition of Chile to the List of Countries Eligible To Export Meat and Meat Products to the United States
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to add Chile to the list of countries eligible to export meat and meat products to the United States. Reviews by FSIS of Chile's laws, regulations, and other materials show that its meat inspection system includes requirements equivalent to all provisions in the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and its implementing regulations. Although a foreign country may be listed as eligible to export meat and meat products, products from that country must also comply with all other U.S. requirements, including those of the U.S. Customs Service and the restrictions under Title 9, part 94 of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulations that relate to the importation of meat and meat products from foreign countries into the United States. FSIS and APHIS work closely together to ensure that meat and meat products imported into the United States comply with the regulatory requirements of both agencies. Under this proposal, meat and meat products processed in certified Chilean establishments may be exported to the United States. All such products will be subject to re-inspection at United States ports-of- entry by FSIS inspectors.
Notice of Request for a New Information Collection (Consumer Complaint Monitoring System and the Food Safety Mobile Questionnaire)
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice announces the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) intention to request a new information collection regarding its Consumer Complaint Monitoring System web portal and its electronic Food Safety Mobile questionnaire.
Notice of Funding Opportunities With the Food Safety and Inspection Service for Food Safety Cooperative Agreements for Fiscal Year 2005
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is soliciting proposals for cooperative agreement projects to be funded in fiscal year 2005. Proposals should be made in one or more of the cooperative agreement program areas described in this notice.
Exemption for Retail Store Operations
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing new dollar limitations on the amount of meat and meat food products and poultry products that a retail store can sell to hotels, restaurants, and similar institutions without disqualifying itself for exemption from Federal inspection requirements. By reason of FSIS' regulations, for calendar year 2005 the dollar limitation for meat and meat food products has been increased from $53,600 to $54,500 and for poultry products from $43,600 to $45,800. FSIS is increasing the dollar limitations from calendar year 2004 based on price changes for these products evidenced by the Consumer Price Index.
Food Security Workshops
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing a series of workshops from May through June 2005, to discuss food security awareness, the FSIS Industry Self-Assessment Checklist for Food Security, food security plans, and FSIS Directive 5420.1, Revision 1, Food Security Verification Procedures.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Proposals for New Work and Priorities for the Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived From Biotechnology
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Department of Health and Human Services, are sponsoring a public meeting on April 7, 2005, to provide information and receive public comments on the draft U.S. responses to Codex Circular Letter CL 2005/2-FBT: Proposals for new work to be undertaken by the Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology. Following approval at the 27th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (from June 28 to July 3, 2004) to establish the Task Force, under the chairmanship of Japan, Codex agreed to solicit comments on the work that the Task Force ought to undertake and on the priorities for this new work.
Technical Meeting on Risk Assessments of Salmonella
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the availability of, and requesting public comment on, two draft risk assessments. The first is a quantitative risk assessment of Salmonella in ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products. The second is a quantitative risk assessment of Clostridium perfringens in RTE and heat-treated, but not RTE, products. The Agency prepared the draft risk assessments to provide scientific information in support of lethality and stabilization performance standards that the Agency proposed for the processing of such products in a notice of proposed rulemaking published February 27, 2001 (66 FR 12590). FSIS is holding a public meeting to present and discuss these draft risk assessments.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: 33rd Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Department of Health and Human Services, are sponsoring a public meeting on April 26, 2005, to provide draft U.S. positions and receive public comments on agenda items that will be discussed at the 33rd Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, May 9-13, 2005. The Under Secretary and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties with the opportunity to comment on the agenda items that will be debated at this forthcoming session of the CCFL.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: 22nd Session of the Codex Committee on General Principles
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Department of Health and Human Services, are sponsoring a public meeting on March 29, 2005, to provide draft U.S. positions and receive public comments on agenda items that will be discussed at the 22nd Session of the Codex Committee on General Principles (CCGP) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex). The 22nd Session of the CCGP will be held in Paris, France, April 11-15, 2005. The Under Secretary of USDA and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties with the opportunity to comment on the agenda items that will be debated at this forthcoming session of the CCGP.
Termination of Designation of the State of North Dakota With Respect to the Inspection of Poultry Products
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to amend the poultry products inspection regulations by terminating the designation of the State of North Dakota under sections 1 through 4, 6 through 10, 11(b), 11(c), and 12 through 22 of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA). The Commissioner of Agriculture of the State of North Dakota has advised this Department that effective November 8, 2004, the State will be in a position to administer a State poultry inspection program that includes requirements that are at least equal to those imposed under the Federal poultry products inspection program for poultry and poultry products distributed in interstate commerce.
Generic E. coli
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is making available and publishing the results of baseline studies that it has conducted on generic Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella. Although these studies were conducted between 1997 and 2000, FSIS has decided to make the results available because they may assist inspected establishments in assessing their processes. The publication of these baseline results does not affect the current generic E. coli criteria and Salmonella standards listed in the regulations.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Proposals for New Work and Priorities for the Codex ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived From Biotechnology
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Department of Health and Human Services, are sponsoring a public meeting on March 3, 2005, to provide information and receive public comments on new work and priorities for the ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Food Derived from Biotechnology of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex). Following approval at the 27th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (June 28-July 3, 2004) to establish the Task Force, under the chairmanship of Japan, Codex agreed to solicit comments on the work that the Task Force should undertake and on the priorities for this new work.
Addition of Slovakia to the List of Countries Eligible To Export Meat Products to the United States
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is adding Slovakia to the list of countries eligible to export meat products to the United States. Reviews of Slovakia's laws, regulations, and other written materials show that its meat processing system meets requirements that are equivalent to the relevant provisions of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and its implementing regulations. Meat products processed in certified establishments in Slovakia will be eligible to be exported to the United States only if these products are derived from cattle, sheep, swine, or goats slaughtered in federally inspected establishments in the United States, or in certified slaughter establishments in other countries eligible to export meat to the United States. All meat products exported from Slovakia to the United States will be subject to reinspection at the U.S. ports-of-entry by FSIS inspectors as required by law.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Twenty-sixth Session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Department of Health and Human Services, are sponsoring a public meeting on March 15, 2005, to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items that will be discussed at the Twenty-sixth Session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex). The 26th Session of the CCMAS will be held in Budapest, Hungary, April 4-8, 2005. The Under Secretary and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the agenda items that will be discussed at this forthcoming session of the CCMAS.
FSIS Policy on Delinquent Payments for Voluntary Reimbursable Inspection Services
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is providing notice that it will not provide reimbursable voluntary inspection, certification, and identification services to persons who have delinquent accounts. FSIS charges fees for a variety of voluntary reimbursable inspection, certification, and identification services that it provides to official establishments and plants and non-official establishments, e.g., warehouses, importers, and exporters. FSIS is required to recover the costs of the voluntary inspection, certification, and identification services it provides. FSIS will pursue the collection of debts owed to it for such services.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Twenty-seventh Session of the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Department of Health and Human Services, are sponsoring a public meeting on February 9, 2005, to provide information and receive public comments on all agenda items that will be discussed at the Twenty-seventh Session of the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (CCFFP) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex). The 27th Session of the CCFFP will be held at the Arabella Sheraton Grand, 1 Lower Long Street, Cape Town, South Africa, February 28-March 4, 2005. The Under Secretary and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the agenda items that will be discussed at this forthcoming session of the CCFFP.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Nineteenth Session of the Codex Committee on Fats and Oils
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Department of Health and Human Services, are sponsoring a public meeting on February 1, 2005, to provide information and receive public comments on all agenda items that will be discussed at the Nineteenth Session of the Codex Committee on Fats and Oils (CCFO) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex). The 19th Session of the CCFO will be held in London, United Kingdom, February 21-25, 2005. The Under Secretary and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the agenda items that will be discussed at this forthcoming session of the CCFL.
Regulatory Flexibility Act; Amended Plan for Reviewing Regulations Under Section 610 Requirements
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is publishing an amended scheduling plan for reviewing regulations under Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended. These provisions require that all Federal agencies review existing regulations that have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities to determine whether the associated impact can be minimized.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Thirty-Seventh Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Department of Health and Human Services, are sponsoring a public meeting on March 9, 2005, to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items that will be discussed at the Thirty-seventh Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants (CCFAC), which will be held in The Hague, The Netherlands, on April 25-29, 2005. The Under Secretary and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the agenda items that will be discussed at this forthcoming session of the CCFAC.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Eleventh Session of the Codex Committee on Meat Hygiene
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is sponsoring a public meeting on January 21, 2005, to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items that will be discussed at the Eleventh Session of the Codex Committee on Meat Hygiene (CCMH). The 11th Session of the CCMH will be held in Christchurch, New Zealand, February 14-18, 2005. The Acting Under Secretary recognizes the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the agenda items that will be discussed at this forthcoming session of the CCMH.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Thirty-Seventh Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene
The Office of the Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Department of Health and Human Services, are sponsoring a public meeting on February 2, 2005, to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items that will be discussed at the Thirty-seventh Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex). The 37th Session of the CCFH will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 14-19 March, 2005. The Acting Under Secretary and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the agenda items that will be discussed at this forthcoming session of the CCFH.
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