Food Safety and Inspection Service – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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Determining Net Weight Compliance for Meat and Poultry Products
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending its regulations to reference the most recent version of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 133 that contains standards for determining the reasonable variations allowed for the declared net weight on labels of immediate containers of meat and poultry products; the procedures to be used to determine the net weight and net weight compliance of meat and poultry products; and related definitions. The Agency is also consolidating the separate net weight regulations for meat and poultry products in a new CFR part, applicable to both meat and poultry products. This final rule does not incorporate by reference sections in Handbook 133 that concern the ``wet tare'' method for determining net weight. The ``wet tare'' method does not include free-flowing liquid as part of the product but as part of the tare weight. The Agency regards any solutions that are added to meat or poultry to be part of the product and considers free-flowing liquids to be an integral component of these products, and therefore uses the ``dry tare'', not the ``wet tare'' method.
Irradiation as a Processing Aid
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing that it has received a petition from the American Meat Institute (AMI) to recognize the use of low penetration and low dose electron beam irradiation on the surface of chilled beef carcasses as a processing aid. Based on its consideration of the data and information contained in the petition, FSIS believes that the petition has merit. FSIS will hold a public meeting on September 18, 2008, to review the information contained in the petition and to receive public comments on what action it should take with respect to the petition. A copy of the petition is available on the FSIS Web site.
Allowing Bar-Type Cut Turkey Operations To Use J-Type Cut Maximum Line Speeds
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending 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 final rule. Under this final 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 and the level of contamination among the birds on the line.
Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing that it did not conduct a review of the interim final rule, Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Products, in 2007 as stated in its amended schedule plan for reviewing regulations under Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended. The Agency has decided to wait until it publishes a final rule in this proceeding before amending its plan so it can conduct a review of that final rule instead of the interim final rule.
Requirements for the Disposition of Cattle That Become Non-Ambulatory Disabled Following Ante-Mortem Inspection
On May 20, 2008, the Secretary of Agriculture announced that the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) would begin working on a proposed rule to prohibit the slaughter of all non-ambulatory disabled cattle, without exception. As announced by the Secretary, FSIS is proposing to amend the Federal meat inspection regulations to remove the provision that states that FSIS inspection personnel will determine the disposition of cattle that become non-ambulatory disabled after they have passed ante-mortem inspection on a case-by-case basis. This proposed rule will require that all cattle that are non-ambulatory disabled at the time they are presented for ante-mortem inspection at an official establishment, and all those that become non-ambulatory disabled after passing ante-mortem inspection, be condemned and properly disposed of.
Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling of Muscle Cuts of Beef (Including Veal), Lamb, Chicken, Goat, and Pork; Ground Beef, Ground Lamb, Ground Chicken, Ground Goat, and Ground Pork
FSIS is conforming its regulations to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) regulations, entitled, ``Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling of Beef, Pork, Lamb, Chicken, Goat Meat, Perishable Agricultural Commodities, Peanuts, Pecans, Ginseng, and Macademia Nuts.'' Therefore, FSIS is amending its regulations to require that a country of origin statement on the label of any meat or poultry product that is a covered commodity, as defined in AMS' interim final regulations (73 FR 45106), and is to be sold by a retailer, as also defined in AMS' interim final regulation, must comply with AMS' interim final regulations. FSIS is also amending its regulations to provide that the addition of country of origin statements on labels of meat or poultry product covered commodities that are to be sold by covered retailers and that comply with the country of origin labeling requirements will be considered to be generically approved. FSIS is not amending its regulations or labeling policies for meat or poultry products that are non-covered commodities. The effective date of AMS' interim final rule for country of origin labeling is September 30, 2008. Therefore, in order to meet the deadline, FSIS is issuing this interim final rule.
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 22-26, 2008. The Committee will discuss: (1) Parameters for inoculated-pack challenge study protocols, and (2) Determination of the most appropriate technologies for the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to adopt in performing routine and baseline microbiological analyses.
Nominations for Membership on the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods
This notice announces that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting nominations for membership on the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF). Nominations for membership are being sought from individuals with scientific expertise in the fields of epidemiology, food technology, microbiology (food, clinical, and predictive), risk assessment, infectious disease, biostatistics, and other related sciences. Persons from the Federal government, State governments, industry, consumer groups, and academia, as well as all other interested persons, are invited to submit nominations. Members who are not federal government employees will be appointed to serve as non-compensated special government employees (SGEs). SGEs will be subject to appropriate conflict of interest statutes and standards of ethical conduct. The nominee's typed resume or curriculum vitae must be limited to five one-sided pages and should include educational background, expertise, and a select list of publications. For submissions received that are more than five one-sided pages in length, only the first five pages will be considered.
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 August 27-28, 2008, to review and discuss international equivalence and the approach to verifying the equivalence of foreign food regulatory systems as the means of ensuring the safety of imported food products. The meeting will include discussion of four major perspectives. First, a U.S. government perspective will be presented on the FSIS strategy and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approach. Second, an industry perspective will be presented. Third, a consumer approach will be presented, and finally, the approaches by several foreign governments will be presented and discussed. 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 August 28, 2008.
National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods; Re-establishment
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this notice is announcing the re-chartering of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) by the Secretary of Agriculture on June 5, 2008. The Committee is being renewed in cooperation with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The establishment of the Committee was recommended by a 1985 report of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Food Protection, Subcommittee on Microbiological Criteria, ``An Evaluation of the Role of Microbiological Criteria for Foods.'' The current charter for the NACMCF is available for viewing on the NACMCF homepage at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/About_FSIS/NACMCF/index.asp.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) are hosting a public meeting on August 14th, 2008. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States positions for the 24th Session of the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables (CCPFV), which will be held in Arlington, VA (Washington, DC, metro area), September 15-20, 2008. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and AMS recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on this forthcoming Session of CCPFV and to address items on the agenda.
Availability of Lists of Retail Consignees During Meat or Poultry Product Recalls
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending the Federal meat and poultry products inspection regulations to provide that the Agency will make available to the public the names and locations of the retail consignees of meat and poultry products that have been recalled by a federally-inspected meat or poultry establishment if the recalled product has been distributed to the retail level. This rule will apply only where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the recalled product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death (Class I recalls). FSIS will routinely post this information on its Web site as it compiles the information during its recall verification activities. FSIS is taking this action to provide an additional mechanism for prompting consumers to examine products stored in their refrigerator, freezer, or cupboard when there is a reasonable probability that the product will cause adverse health consequences. The retail consignee information will complement the product identification information that FSIS already makes available and will provide additional opportunities for local media outlets and State and local health officials to transmit more targeted information about the recall to consumers.
Notice of Funding Opportunity With the Food Safety and Inspection Service for Food Safety and Defense Training for Spanish-Speaking Plant Owners and Operators
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is soliciting applications for one or more cooperative agreements for a collaborative outreach program on food safety and defense. The program will target Spanish-speaking owners and operators of small and very small establishments producing meat and poultry products. The goal is to increase knowledge of and compliance with FSIS requirements regarding meat and poultry products sold in the U.S. by this segment of the regulated industry. FSIS will allocate between $50,000 and $100,000 to one or more cooperative agreements this fiscal year 2008, with agreements being renewable for up to five years.
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, 2007, to May 31, 2008, and June 1, 2008, to May 31, 2009, seeks comments on standards under consideration and recommendations for new standards.
Exemption for Retail Store Operations
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing new dollar limitations on the amount of meat, meat food products, 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. By reason of FSIS' regulations, for calendar year 2008 the dollar limitation is increased for meat and meat food products from $55,100 to $56,900 and for poultry products from $44,400 to $46,700. FSIS is changing the dollar limitations from calendar year 2007 based on price changes for these products evidenced by the Consumer Price Index.
Better Communications, Better Public Health Outcomes: Strategies for Improved Coordination During Foodborne Outbreaks
This notice is announcing that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), and the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will co-sponsor a two-day summit that will include a public meeting on May 15, 2008, and an invitation-only simulation exercise on May 16, 2008. The purpose of the summit is to have a discussion with stakeholders on improved information sharing and coordination during multi-jurisdictional foodborne outbreak investigations.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), USDA, are sponsoring a public meeting on April 25, 2008. 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 14th Session of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CCFFV) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Mexico City, Mexico, from May 12-17, 2008. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and AMS recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 14th Session of the CCFFV and to address items on the agenda.
Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli
This notice is announcing that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will sponsor a public meeting on April 9-10, 2008. The purpose of the meeting is to have a discussion with stakeholders on recent spikes in recalls and illnesses related to Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7, provide updates on FSIS initiatives related to E. coli O157:H7, review perspectives, research progress, and build a foundation for establishing solutions to address the challenges this pathogen causes.
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, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are sponsoring a public meeting on March 31, 2008. 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 36th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Ottawa, Canada, on April 28 to May 2, 2008. In addition, a working group on the Implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity, and Health will meet on April 26, 2008. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 36th Session of the CCFL and to address items on the agenda.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Additives
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are sponsoring a public meeting on March 12, 2008. 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 40th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Beijing, China, on April 21-25, 2008. 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 CCFA and to address items on the agenda.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. 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 March 5, 2008. 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 2nd Session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in The Hague, The Netherlands, from March 31-April 4, 2008. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 2nd Session of the CCCF and to address items that will be on the agenda.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS)
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 February 28, 2008. 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 29th 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 on March 10-14, 2008. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 29th Session of the CCMAS and to address items on the agenda.
Salmonella Verification Sampling Program: Response to Comments and New Agency Policies
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing new policies for the Agency's Salmonella Verification Sampling Program and related activities conducted in meat and poultry establishments. These changes include publication of completed FSIS verification sample set results for establishments that show inconsistency in their ability to meet Salmonella performance standards, beginning with those from young chicken slaughter establishments; a voluntary incentive-based program for meat and poultry establishments that should yield significant data on attribution of human illness to FSIS-regulated products; and increasing the Agency's use of targeted sampling approaches and collaborative serotype and subtype data. FSIS is taking these actions to advance its efforts to achieve the Agency's public health goal of significantly reducing human cases of salmonellosis. This Notice explains the basis for these actions and responds to comments received by the Agency on its Federal Register Notice of February 27, 2006 (71 FR 9772-9777) on Salmonella policy.
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 February 5-6, 2008, to review and discuss: (1) The planned public health-based slaughter inspection system for young chickens and (2) how a similar approach could be used for inspection in processing and other slaughter establishments. Both issues will be presented to the full Committee. The Committee will then divide into two subcommittees to discuss both issues. Each subcommittee will provide a report of their comments and recommendations to the full committee before the meeting concludes on February 6, 2008.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting on the Ad Hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task Force on the Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen Foods
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. 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 February 5, 2008. 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 First Session of Ad Hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task Force on the Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen Foods (TFQFF) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Bangkok, Thailand on February 25-29, 2008. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the First Session of TFQFF and to address items that will be on the agenda.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Natural Mineral Waters
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. 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 January 16, 2008. 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 8th Session of the Codex Committee on Natural Mineral Waters (CCNMW) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Lugano, Switzerland on February 11-15, 2008. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 8th Session of the CCNMW and to address items that will be on the agenda.
National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection; Re-establishment
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this notice announces that the Secretary of Agriculture signed the charter of the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) on July 25, 2007. The charter for the NACMPI is available for viewing on the NACMPI homepage at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/AboutFSIS/ NACMPICharter/index.asp.
Eligibility of Chile to Export Poultry and Poultry Products to the United States
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is adding Chile to the list of countries eligible to export poultry and poultry products to the United States. Reviews by FSIS of Chile's laws, regulations, and inspection implementation show that its poultry inspection system requirements are equivalent to the relevant provisions of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) and its implementing regulations. With this final rule, poultry and poultry products processed in certified Chilean establishments may be exported to the United States. All such products will be subject to reinspection at United States ports-of-entry by FSIS inspectors.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the 8th Session of the Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products (CCMMP)
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are sponsoring a public meeting on January 17, 2008. 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 8th Session of the Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products (CCMMP) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Queenstown, New Zealand, February 4-8, 2008. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and the AMS recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 8th Session of the CCMMP 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, United States Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are sponsoring a public meeting. The meeting will be held on November 1, 2007, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. to discuss the agenda items coming before the 16th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS) and present draft positions on the agenda items. The 16th Session of the CCFICS will be held November 26-November 30, 2007, in Queensland, Australia. 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 CCFICS.
Non-Escherichia coli
This notice is announcing that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FDA CFSAN), and the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will co-sponsor a public meeting on October 17, 2007. The purpose of the meeting is to consider the public health significance of non-Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 Shiga toxin- producing E. coli.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are sponsoring a public meeting on September 26, 2007. 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 Thirty-ninth Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Delhi, India, from October 30-November 4, 2007. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties with the opportunity to obtain background information on the 39th Session of the CCFH and to address items on the agenda.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: First Session of the Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are sponsoring a public meeting on September 24, 2007, to discuss the agenda items coming before the First Session of the Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and to present draft U.S. positions on the agenda items. The First Session on AMR will be held in Seoul, Korea, October 23-26, 2007. The Under Secretary and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to comment on the agenda items that will be discussed at this forthcoming session on AMR.
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), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are sponsoring a public meeting on September 25, 2007. 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 29th 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 Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Germany on November 12-November 16, 2007. In addition, an Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revision of the Standard for Gluten-Free Foods will meet on November 10, 2007. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 29th Session of CCNFSDU 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 24-28, 2007. The Committee will discuss: (1) Assessment of the food safety importance of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, (2) Determination of the most appropriate technologies for the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to adopt in performing routine and baseline microbiological analyses, and (3) Parameters for inoculated-pack challenge study protocols.
Notice of Request for a Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection (Application for Inspection, Accreditation of Laboratories, and Exemptions)
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 revision of an approved information collection concerning the regulatory requirements for application for inspection, accreditation of laboratories, and exemptions because of revised estimates that support a finding of fewer total burden hours.
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 the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to request a revision of an approved information collection concerning the regulatory requirements for marking, labeling, and packaging of meat, poultry, and egg products because of revised estimates, which support a finding of more total burden hours.
Availability of the Report: Review of the Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Systems Final Rule Pursuant to Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as Amended
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the availability of its report entitled, ``Review of the Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Systems Final Rule Pursuant to Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, As Amended.''
Implementation of the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Authorized by the National Veterinary Medical Service Act
USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) and Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) jointly announce their implementation of the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program authorized in 2003 by the National Veterinary Medical Service Act (NVMSA) (7 U.S.C. 3151a) and first funded in fiscal year (FY) 2006. To enable the first phase of this program, and in keeping with the existing Federal Student Loan Repayment Authority, CSREES has made funds appropriated to carry out the NVMSA available to FSIS to facilitate their recruitment of food animal veterinarians for designated hard-to-fill positions in food safety and supply, especially in rural communities, through the addition of loan repayment incentives to qualifying service agreements. FSIS, in turn, has posted information about positions eligible to receive loan repayments on the careers page of its Web site at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/careers/StudentLoan RepaymentsVMO/index.asp.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Seventh Session of 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) are sponsoring a public meeting on September 6, 2007, to discuss the agenda items coming before the Seventh Session of the Codex ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology (FBT) and to present draft U.S. positions on the agenda items. The Seventh Session of the FBT will be held in Chiba, Japan, September 24-28, 2007. The Under Secretary and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to comment on the agenda items that will be discussed at this forthcoming session of the FBT.
National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection
Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App., the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) will hold a public meeting on August 8-9, 2007, to review and discuss the following issues: (1) Data Collection and Analysis at the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS): Standard Operating Procedures, (2) Linking FSIS Activities to its Public Health Goals, and (3) Pilot Project to Explore Mechanisms for Sharing Industry Data with FSIS. The first issue, Data Collection and Analysis at FSIS: Standard Operating Procedures, will be presented to the entire Committee for discussion during the morning session on August 8, 2007. The other two issues will be presented to the entire Committee in the afternoon session. The committee will then divide into two subcommittees. These subcommittees will meet in the afternoon of August 8, 2007, to discuss the issues Linking FSIS Activities to its Public Health Goals and Pilot Project to Explore Mechanisms for Sharing Industry Data with FSIS. Each subcommittee will provide a report of their comments and recommendations to the full committee on the morning of August 9, 2007.
Public Health Based Inspection System in Poultry Slaughter
The Food Safety and Inspection Service will hold a public meeting to discuss public health based inspection in poultry slaughter to address Campylobacter, Salmonella, and other issues of public health concern. FSIS is seeking public input on the ideas, concepts, data, and analyses it will use to form the basis of a technical plan. The public meeting will afford FSIS and its stakeholders an opportunity to discuss the rationale and process for the Agency's enhanced approach, as well as the background leading up to its current thinking on the concept.
Prohibition of the Use of Specified Risk Materials for Human Food and Requirements for the Disposition of Non-Ambulatory Disabled Cattle; Prohibition of the Use of Certain Stunning Devices Used To Immobilize Cattle During Slaughter
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is affirming, with changes, the interim final rule ``Prohibition of the Use of Specified Risk Materials for Human Food and Requirements for the Disposition of Non-Ambulatory Cattle,'' which was published in the Federal Register on January 12, 2004. The Agency is also affirming the interim final rule ``Prohibition of the Use of Certain Stunning Devices Used to Immobilize Cattle During Slaughter,'' also published on January 12, 2004. FSIS issued these interim final rules in response to the confirmation on December 23, 2003, of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in an imported dairy cow in Washington State. FSIS is taking this action to make permanent interim measures implemented by the Agency to minimize human exposure to cattle materials that could potentially contain the BSE agent.
Designation of the State of New Mexico Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act and Poultry Products Inspection Act
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing that it is designating the State of New Mexico as a State to receive Federal inspection with respect to operations and transactions involving meat and poultry products within the State because representatives of the State have requested such designation. In response to the State's request, FSIS will assume responsibility for the meat and poultry inspection programs in the State of New Mexico on August 13, 2007. Therefore, FSIS is amending the Federal meat and poultry products inspection regulations by adding New Mexico to the list of designated States.
Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection (Advanced Meat Recovery)
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 revision of an approved information collection regarding the regulatory requirements associated with the production of meat from Advanced Meat Recovery systems to reflect its most recent plant data, which support a finding of fewer total burden hours.
Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection (Specified Risk Materials)
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 revision of an approved information collection concerning the regulatory requirements relating to specified risk materials in cattle to reflect the most recent plant data, which support a finding of more total burden hours.
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, 2006, to May 31, 2007, and June 1, 2007, to May 31, 2008, seeks comments on standards under consideration and recommendations for new standards.
Availability of Electronic Web-Based FSIS Form 10,240-1, Production Information on Post-Lethality Exposed Ready-To-Eat Products, With Revisions and Detailed Instructions
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the availability of an electronic Web-based version of FSIS Form 10,240-1, Production Information on Post-Lethality Exposed Ready-to-Eat Products. This form is available for the first time for online submission. FSIS Form 10,240-1 will be used to collect information about the ready-to-eat (RTE) products produced by establishments.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting 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 5, 2007. 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 Thirtieth Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), which will be held in Rome, Italy, July 2-7, 2007. The Under Secretary for Food Safety recognizes the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 30th Session of CAC 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 June 4-8, 2007. The Committee will discuss: (1) Determination of Cooking Parameters for Safe Seafood for Consumers, (2) Assessment of the Food Safety Importance of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, (3) Determination of the Most Appropriate Technologies for the Food Safety and Inspection Service to Adopt in Performing Routine and Baseline Microbiological Analyses, and (4) Parameters for Inoculated Pack Challenge Study Protocols.
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