Food Safety and Inspection Service – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection; Nominations for Membership
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting nominations for membership on the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI). The full Committee consists of not more than 20 members, and each person selected is expected to serve a 2-year term.
HACCP Systems Validation
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing this document to propose to clarify its requirements for validation by an official establishment of its Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system, that is, validation of both the critical control points (CCPs) in the HACCP plan and any interventions or processes used to support decisions in the hazard analysis. Validation of a HACCP system involves two separate elements: The scientific or technical support for the judgments made in designing the HACCP system, and evidence derived from the execution of the HACCP plan to demonstrate that it is, in fact, achieving the critical operational parameters documented in the scientific or technical support. The Agency is also announcing the availability of, and requesting comments on, a revised draft guidance document prepared to assist establishments in appropriately validating their HACCP systems. The Agency received and analyzed comments on the initial draft of this guidance, which the Agency posted on its Web site in March 2010. FSIS is soliciting comments on this revised guidance and will hold a public meeting to discuss the revised guidance before it issues final guidance for HACCP systems validation.
Requirements for Official Establishments To Notify FSIS of Adulterated or Misbranded Product, Prepare and Maintain Written Recall Procedures, and Document Certain Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points System Plan Reassessments
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is implementing provisions of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 by amending the Federal meat and poultry products inspection regulations to require official establishments to promptly notify the appropriate District Office that an adulterated or misbranded meat or poultry product has entered commerce; require official establishments to prepare and maintain written procedures for the recall of all meat and poultry products produced and shipped by the establishment; and require official establishments to document each reassessment of the establishment's Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans.
Changes to FSIS Traceback, Recall Procedures for Escherichia coli O157:H7 Positive Raw Beef Product, and Availability of Compliance Guidelines
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing proposed new procedures that it intends to implement when FSIS or other Federal or State agencies find raw ground beef presumptive positive for Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7. This methodology will enable FSIS to better determine whether the establishments that produced the source materials for contaminated product have produced other product that may not be microbiologically independent from the contaminated product. The Agency is also announcing its intention to now, as a matter of routine policy, request a recall if an establishment was the sole supplier of beef trim source materials for ground product that FSIS or other Federal or State agencies find positive for E. coli O157:H7, evidence suggests that contamination most likely occurred at the supplier establishment, and a portion of the product from the originating source lot was sent to other establishments. This notice also explains that FSIS intends to determine whether it can make better use of establishment results and also intends to conduct a study to help it identify the source of E. coli O157:H7 positive ground beef when the material from multiple suppliers was used to produce positive product. Finally, this notice announces the availability of compliance guidelines concerning establishment sampling and testing for shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) organisms or virulence markers and compliance guidelines for E. coli O157:H7 sampled and tested labeling claims.
Food Ingredients and Sources of Radiation Listed and Approved for Use in the Production of Meat and Poultry Products
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to remove sodium benzoate, sodium propionate, and benzoic acid from the list of substances that the regulations prohibit for use in meat or poultry products. Under this proposal, new uses of these substances in meat or poultry products would continue to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety and by FSIS for suitability. FSIS would add approved uses of these substances to the list of approved substances contained in the Agency's directive system.
Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is extending the comment period for the proposed rulemaking ``Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection'' and responding to questions and addressing issues that have been raised concerning the proposed rule. The comment period was scheduled to close on April 26, 2012. During the comment period, a coalition of consumer advocacy organizations and two trade associations representing the poultry industry asked that FSIS clarify certain aspects of the proposed rule to help inform their comments. This document summarizes the issues raised by these groups and FSIS's response. FSIS is also soliciting additional comments on how it should implement the final rule resulting from the proposal and requesting available data on any worker safety issues associated with increased line speeds. FSIS received a request to hold a public technical meeting on the proposed rule. FSIS does not believe that such a meeting would be useful. The Agency will, however, assess public understanding of the proposed rule in connection with its review and evaluation of the comments submitted and will respond as appropriate.
Compliance Guide for Residue Prevention and Agency Testing Policy for Residues
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the availability of a compliance guide for the prevention of violative residues in livestock slaughter establishments. FSIS has posted this compliance guide on its Web page and it may be used immediately. FSIS also welcomes comments on this compliance guide, which will be revised as needed. This notice also discusses changes to the FSIS Residue Repeat Violator List and announces the Agency's intention to subject to increased testing animals from producers who are under an injunction obtained by the Food and Drug Administration because of drug use practices that have led to residue violations.
Notice of Request for a New Information Collection (Laboratories)
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to request a new information collection regarding laboratories that conduct testing associated with FSIS regulatory programs.
Retail Exemptions Adjusted Dollar Limitations
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the dollar limitations on the amount of meat and meat food products and poultry and poultry products that a retail store can sell to hotels, restaurants, and similar institutions without disqualifying itself for exemption from Federal inspection requirements. In accordance with FSIS' regulations, for calendar year 2012, the dollar limitation for meat and meat food products is being increased from $61,900 to $67,300 and for poultry products from $50,200 to $51,700. FSIS is changing the dollar limitations from calendar year 2011 based on price changes for these products evidenced by the Consumer Price Index. DATES: Effective Date: This notice is effective April 24, 2012.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are sponsoring a public meeting on April 18, 2012. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States (U.S) positions that will be discussed at the 40th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada from May 15-18, 2012. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 40th Session of the CCFL, and to address items on the agenda.
Additional Changes to the Schedule of Operations Regulations
On March 19, 2012, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) published a proposed rule to amend the meat and poultry products regulations pertaining to the schedule of operations. The Regulatory Identification Number (RIN) was inadvertently omitted. The RIN number for this proposed rule is 0583-AD48. Comments on the March 19 proposed rule must still be received by the agency on or before April 18, 2012, to be assured of consideration.
Additional Changes to the Schedule of Operations Regulations
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to amend the meat and poultry products regulations pertaining to the schedule of operations. FSIS is proposing to amend these regulations to define the 8-hour workday as including time that inspection program personnel need to prepare the inspection station, if necessary, or retrieve and return lot tally sheets; the time necessary for FSIS inspection program personnel to sharpen knives, if necessary; and the time necessary to conduct duties scheduled by FSIS, including administrative activities. The activities are integral and indispensable to inspectors' work and are part of the continuous workday as defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act. Therefore, they are activities that need to be part of the Agency's regulatory definition for the 8-hour workday.
Notice of Availability and Opportunity for Comments (Establishment Guidance for the Selection of a Commercial or Private Microbiological Testing Laboratory)
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the availability of policy guidance for federally inspected establishments in the selection of commercial and private microbiological testing laboratories. FSIS has posted this policy guidance on its Web page https://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_ Policies/Compliance_Guides_Index/index.asp#Micro. FSIS encourages establishments that prepare meat, poultry, or processed egg products to follow the criteria in the guidelines in selecting commercial or private microbiological testing laboratories and in determining their capability to provide accurate and reliable results. Regulated establishments are required to enter into commerce food products that are safe and not adulterated or misbranded. Establishments that select laboratories that do not apply appropriate testing methods or maintain effective Quality Control or Quality Assurance (QC/QA) practices may not receive reliable or useful test results from the laboratory and run the risk of producing food that is unsafe.
National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods
This notice is announcing that the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will hold a meeting of the full Committee by an audio conference call that is open to the public on March 28, 2012. The Committee will discuss: Food Safety Questions from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service to Support Ground Beef Purchase for the Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs. Specifically NACMCF will address food safety questions to assist the 2012-2013 ground beef purchase for the School Lunch Program on microbiological criteria, pathogen testing methodology, and sampling plans.
Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing a new date for when it will implement routine verification sampling and testing for raw beef manufacturing trimmings for six non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serogroups (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145). This new date will provide additional time for establishments and laboratories to validate their test methods. FSIS announced in September 2011 plans to test certain raw beef products for these six STEC serogroups in addition to O157:H7. FSIS has determined that these organisms are adulterants of raw ground beef products and product components under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA).
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on General Principles
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is sponsoring a public meeting on March 28, 2012. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States (U.S.) positions that will be discussed at the 27th session of the Codex Committee on General Principles (CCGP) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Paris, France, April 2-6, 2012. The Under Secretary for Food Safety recognizes the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 27th session of the CCGP and to address items on the agenda.
Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing a new inspection system for young chicken and turkey slaughter establishments that would replace the current Streamlined Inspection System (SIS), the New Line Speed Inspection System (NELS), and the New Turkey Inspection System (NTIS). The Agency is also proposing several changes that would affect all establishments that slaughter poultry other than ratites, regardless of the inspection system under which they operate. This proposed rule is a result of the Agency's 2011 regulatory review efforts conducted under Executive Order 13563 on Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), are sponsoring a public meeting on February 28, 2012. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States (U.S.) positions that will be discussed at the 33rd Session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Budapest, Hungary, March 5-9, 2012. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 33rd Session of the CCMAS and to address items on the agenda.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR)
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are sponsoring a public meeting on February 14, 2012. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States (U.S.) positions that will be discussed at the 44th Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Shanghai, P.R. China April 23-28, 2012. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and EPA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 44th Session of the CCPR and to address items on the agenda.
Electronic Export Application and Certification Charge; Flexibility in the Requirements for Export Inspection Marks, Devices, and Certificates; Egg Products Export Certification
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to amend the meat and poultry inspection regulations to provide for an electronic export application and certification system. The electronic export application and certification system will be a component of the Agency's Public Health Information System (PHIS). The export component of PHIS will be available as an alternative to the paper-based application and certification process. FSIS is proposing to charge users for the use of the proposed system. FSIS is proposing to establish a formula for calculating the fee. FSIS intends to publish notice of the fee, using the formula, in the Federal Register on an annual basis. FSIS is also proposing to provide flexibility in the requirements for official export inspection marks, devices, and certificates. In addition, FSIS is proposing to amend the egg product export regulations that parallel the meat and poultry product export regulations.
Food Ingredients and Sources of Radiation Listed or Approved for Use in the Production of Meat and Poultry Products; Technical Amendment
This document contains technical amendments to the final labeling regulations that were published in the Federal Register on December 23, 1999. The regulations related to harmonizing and improving the efficiency of the procedures used by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for reviewing and listing the food ingredients and sources of radiation listed or approved for use in the production of meat and poultry products.
Cooperative Inspection Programs: Interstate Shipment of Meat and Poultry Products; Correction
This document corrects typographical errors in the final regulations establishing a new voluntary cooperative program under which certain very small and small State-inspected establishments will be eligible to ship meat and poultry products in interstate commerce. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on May 2, 2011, and became effective on July 1, 2011.
Food Source Attribution; Public Meeting
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.
Nutrition Labeling of Single-Ingredient Products and Ground or Chopped Meat and Poultry Products; Delay of Effective Date and Correction
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is delaying the effective date of the final regulations that require nutrition labeling of the major cuts of single-ingredient, raw meat and poultry products and ground or chopped meat and poultry products that were published in the Federal Register on December 29, 2010. The original effective date of these regulations was January 1, 2012. FSIS is taking this action in response to a request from eight trade associations. The trade associations requested that FSIS exercise enforcement discretion for a six month period following the January 1, 2012, effective date of the final rule. However, FSIS has concluded that a two month delay in the effective date will allow industry sufficient time to comply with the requirements of the final rule. The new effective date of the final rule is March 1, 2012. FSIS is also making a correction to the final rule to clarify an amendatory instruction.
Prior Label Approval System: Generic Label Approval
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to amend the meat and poultry products inspection regulations to expand the circumstances in which FSIS will generically approve the labels of meat and poultry products. The Agency also is proposing to combine the regulations that provide for the approval of labels for meat products and poultry products into a new CFR part.
Approaches to Reducing Sodium Consumption; Establishment of Dockets; Request for Comments, Data, and Information; Extension of Comment Period
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) are extending the comment period to January 27, 2012, for the notice entitled ``Approaches to Reducing Sodium Consumption; Establishment of Dockets; Request for Comments, Data, and Information,'' that appeared in the Federal Register of September 15, 2011 (76 FR 57050). In that notice, FDA and FSIS requested comments on research, data, and other information that will better inform both Agencies about current and emerging practices by the private sector regarding sodium reduction in foods; current consumer understanding of the role of sodium in hypertension and other chronic illnesses; sodium consumption practices; motivation and barriers in reducing sodium in consumers' food intakes; and issues associated with the development of targets for sodium reduction in foods to promote reduction in excess sodium intake. FDA and FSIS are extending the comment period in response to a request from an industry association for additional time to allow interested persons to submit comments.
Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Certain Raw Beef Products
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing that it will hold a public meeting on the Agency's implementation plans and methods for controlling non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in raw, intact and non-intact beef products and product components. To provide stakeholders with ready access to the public meeting, FSIS will conduct the meeting by teleconference. This document provides information on the meeting. In the Agency's September 20, 2011, document announcing these plans and methods (76 FR 58157), FSIS asked for comments on a variety of issues (76 FR 58164). That comment period, which was originally scheduled to end on November 21, 2011, is now being extended and will end on December 21, 2011.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Codex Task Force on Animal Feeding
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are sponsoring a public meeting on January 18, 2012. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States (U.S.) positions that will be discussed at the 6th Session of the Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Animal Feeding (AFTF) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Berne Switzerland, February 20-24, 2012. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and the Center for Veterinary Medicine, FDA, recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 6th Session of the AFTF and to address items on the agenda.
Common or Usual Name for Raw Meat and Poultry Products Containing Added Solutions-Reopening of Comment Period
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is reopening for 60 days the comment period for the proposed rule, ``Common or Usual Name for Raw Meat and Poultry Products Containing Added Solutions.'' It is also providing information concerning data used to develop the proposed rule and providing examples of labels about which FSIS has concerns.
Classes of Poultry
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending the definitions and standards for the official U.S. classes of poultry so that they more accurately and clearly describe the characteristics of poultry in the market today. Poultry classes are defined primarily in terms of the age and sex of the bird. Genetic improvements and poultry management techniques have reduced the grow-out period for some poultry classes, while extensive cross breeding has produced poultry with higher meat yields but blurred breed distinctions. FSIS is taking this action to ensure that the labeling of poultry products is truthful and not misleading.
Approaches to Reducing Sodium Consumption; Establishment of Dockets; Request for Comments, Data, and Information; Correction
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) are correcting a notice that appeared in the Federal Register of September 15, 2011 (76 FR 57050). In that notice, FDA and FSIS established dockets to obtain comments, data, and evidence relevant to the dietary intake of sodium, as well as current and emerging approaches designed to promote sodium reduction. The document published with two typographical errors in the References section. This document corrects those errors.
Pre-Harvest Food Safety for Cattle; Public Meeting
This notice is announcing that the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), are hosting a public meeting to seek input on pre-harvest pathogen control strategies designed to reduce the likelihood that beef will be contaminated with pathogens of public health concern, such as Shiga toxin- producing E. coli and Salmonella, during the slaughter process.
Approaches To Reducing Sodium Consumption; Public Meeting
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) are announcing a public meeting entitled ``Approaches to Reducing Sodium Consumption.'' FDA and FSIS recently published a Federal Register notice that announced the establishment of dockets to obtain comments, data, and evidence relevant to the dietary intake of sodium as well as current and emerging approaches designed to promote sodium reduction. The purpose of the public meeting is to provide interested persons an opportunity to discuss the topics raised in the earlier notice.
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, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are sponsoring a public meeting on October 20, 2011. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States (U.S.) positions that will be discussed at the 33rd 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 Bad Soden am Taunus, Germany from November 14-18, 2011. In addition, two working groups will meet on November 12 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to discuss the Proposed Draft Revision of the Guidelines on Formulated Supplementary Foods for Older Infants and Young Children, and the Proposed Draft Revision of the Codex General Principles for the Addition of Essential Nutrients to Foods. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and the FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 33rd Session of the CCNFSDU and to address items on the agenda.
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, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is sponsoring a public meeting on October 4, 2011. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items, and draft United States (U.S.) positions that will be discussed at the 19th 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 Cairns, Australia October 17-21, 2011. The Under Secretary for Food Safety recognizes the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 19th Session of the CCFICS, and to address items on the agenda.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), are sponsoring a public meeting on November 15, 2011. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States (U.S.) positions that will be discussed at the 43rd Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Miami, Florida, from December 5-9, 2011. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and the FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 43rd Session of the CCFH and to address items on the agenda.
Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) intends to carry out verification procedures, including sampling and testing manufacturing trim and other raw ground beef product components, to ensure control of both Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) and six other serogroups of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145). The Agency intends to implement sampling and testing for the additional STEC. FSIS has determined that they, as well as O157:H7, are adulterants of non-intact raw beef products and product components within the meaning of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA). The Agency is publishing guidance for use in validating commercial pathogen detection test kits that may be capable of detecting the STEC of concern. Finally, the Agency is planning a comprehensive survey of its field personnel who are stationed in beef slaughtering and processing establishments, similar to the 2007 ``checklist'' survey, to determine the processing practices that are employed to reduce the likelihood of contamination of intact and non- intact beef products with these STEC.
Approaches to Reducing Sodium Consumption; Establishment of Dockets; Request for Comments, Data, and Information
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) are announcing the establishment of dockets to obtain comments, data, and evidence relevant to the dietary intake of sodium as well as current and emerging approaches designed to promote sodium reduction. FDA and FSIS are particularly interested in research that will help both organizations understand current and emerging practices by industry in sodium reduction in foods; current consumer understanding of the role of sodium in hypertension and other chronic illnesses, sodium consumption practices; motivation and barriers in reducing sodium in their food intakes; and issues associated with the development of targets for sodium reduction in foods to promote reduction of excess sodium intake. Excess sodium intake is linked to increased risk of heart disease and stroke. FDA and FSIS recognize ongoing efforts by a number of members of the restaurant and packaged food industries to reduce sodium and appreciate the complexities of reducing sodium in foods. Continued input and support from industry and other stakeholders are important to support further progress on this significant public health issue.
National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods
This notice is announcing that the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will hold public meetings of the full Committee and subcommittees on September 27-30, 2011. The Committee will discuss: (1) Control strategies for reducing foodborne Norovirus infections, and (2) Study of microbiological criteria as indicators of process control or insanitary conditions.
National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing, pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, that the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) will hold a public meeting on September 22 and 23, 2011, to review and discuss pre-harvest and validation. All issues will be presented to the full Committee. The Committee will then divide into two subcommittees to discuss the issues. Each subcommittee will provide a report of their comments and recommendations to the full Committee before the meeting concludes on September 23, 2011.
Availability of Final Compliance Guide for the Use of Video or Other Electronic Monitoring or Recording Equipment in Federally Inspected Establishments
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the availability of the final compliance guide on the use of video or other electronic monitoring or recording equipment in federally inspected establishments. FSIS has received Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) related to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (Sanitation SOP) video records. FSIS made changes to the final compliance guide based on comments received on the draft guide. FSIS has posted this final compliance guide on its Significant Guidance Documents Web page (https://www.fsis.usda.gov/Significant_Guidance/index.asp).
Common or Usual Name for Raw Meat and Poultry Products Containing Added Solutions
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to amend its regulations to establish a common or usual name for raw meat and poultry products that do not meet standard of identity regulations and to which solutions have been added. Products with added solutions are sometimes referred to as ``enhanced products.'' The Agency is proposing that the common or usual name for such products include an accurate description of the raw meat or poultry component, the percentage of added solution incorporated into the raw meat or poultry product, and the individual ingredients or multi-ingredient components in the solution listed in the descending order of predominance by weight. FSIS is also proposing that the print for all words in the common or usual name appear in a single font size, color, and style of print and that the name appear on a single-color contrasting background. In addition, the Agency is proposing to remove the standard of identity regulation for ``ready-to-cook poultry products to which solutions are added.''
Salmonella Verification Sampling Program: Response to Comments on New Agency Policies and Clarification of Timeline for the Salmonella Initiative Program (SIP)
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is responding to comments on a January 28, 2008 Federal Register notice (73 FR 4767- 4774), which described upcoming policy changes in the FSIS Salmonella Verification Program and outlined a new voluntary Salmonella Initiative Program (SIP) for meat and poultry slaughter establishments that agree to share internal food safety data with FSIS in order to receive waivers of regulatory requirements. SIP benefits public health in that it encourages slaughter establishments to test for microbial pathogens and to respond to the ongoing results by taking steps when necessary to regain process control and thus to minimize the presence of pathogens of public health concern. In addition, SIP enables FSIS to use establishment data to enhance public health protection. In this notice, the Agency is announcing several policy developments and changes regarding SIP. This notice also includes Agency responses to comments on SIP and on other issues discussed in the January 2008 Federal Register notice.
Changes to the Schedule of Operations Regulations
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending the meat, poultry products, and egg products regulations pertaining to the schedule of operations. FSIS is amending these regulations to define the 8-hour work day as including time that inspection program personnel need to spend at the workplace donning and doffing required gear, time spent walking to their workstations after donning required gear, and time spent walking from their work stations prior to doffing required gear.
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, 2010, to May 31, 2011, and June 1, 2011, to May 31, 2012, seeks comments on standards under consideration and recommendations for new standards.
Notice of Request for a Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection (Marking, Labeling, and Packaging)
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice announces the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) intention to request a revision of a currently approved information collection regarding the regulatory requirements for marking, labeling, and packaging of meat, poultry, and egg products; and for establishments that produce mechanically separated poultry. FSIS has revised its total annual burden estimate in light of the latest available data. Also, FSIS is requesting permission to use a new form related to the label approval process.
Notice of Request for a New Information Collection (Food Safety Education Campaign-Tracking Survey)
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to request a new information collection for a tracking survey associated with the upcoming Food Safety Education Campaign. FSIS is giving the public 30 days to respond instead of the normal 60 days because of the need to expeditiously conduct the tracking survey so that the Food Safety Education Campaign will be able to begin in July as planned.
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