The Federal Register

Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection (Voluntary Recalls of Meat and Poultry

Fri, Oct 24 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 an extension of an approved information collection regarding the voluntary recalls from commerce of meat and poultry products because the approval for this information collection is due to expire.

Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene

Thu, Oct 16 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 October 30, 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 Hygiene (CCFH) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Guatemala City, Guatemala, from December 15, 2008. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and the FDA, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 40th Session of the CCFH and to address items on the agenda.

Product Labeling: Use of the Animal Raising Claims in the Labeling of Meat and Poultry Products

Fri, Oct 10 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing this notice to initiate a public process to review its policies regarding the approval of animal raising claims in the labeling of meat and poultry products. FSIS evaluates animal raising claims by considering information on animal production practices submitted by companies as part of their label approval requests. The Agency approves these claims if the animal production information submitted with the label application supports the claims being made and the claim is truthful and not misleading.

The Agency's recent experience with labeling claims related to the raising of poultry have led FSIS to initiate a review of its evaluation and approval process for labels of meat and poultry products that contain animal raising claims. The Agency is publishing this notice to solicit public input and to announce that FSIS and the Agricultural Marketing Service will jointly hold a public meeting to discuss these issues.

Sampling and Testing Procedures for Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Beef Manufacturing Trimmings

Fri, Oct 10 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing that it will hold a public meeting on October 14 and 15, 2008, to discuss sampling and testing procedures used by FSIS and industry for Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 in beef manufacturing trimmings and draft guidance to industry concerning this pathogen. Copies of the guidance materials are available on the FSIS Web site.

Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection (Consumer Complaint Monitoring System

Tue, Oct 7 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 an extension of an approved information collection regarding both its Consumer Complaint Monitoring System web portal and its electronic Food Safety Mobile questionnaire because the approval for this information collection is due to expire. The public may comment on either the entire information collection or on one of its two parts.

Codex Alimentarius Commission: 2nd Session of the Codex ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial

Fri, Sep 19 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 25, 2008, to discuss the agenda items coming before the 2nd 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 2nd session of the AMR will be held in Seoul, Korea, October 2024, 2008. 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 AMR.

Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses

Thu, Sep 18 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 24, 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 30th 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 Capetown, South Africa, on November 3 November 7, 2008. In addition, a working group will meet on November 1, 2008, to discuss agenda items on the Scientific Basis of Health Claims and Nutrient Reference Values for food labeling purposes, and any other matters related to the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health which are under consideration by the CCNFSDU. The Under Secretary for Foo

Revised FSIS Testing Methodology for Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7

Tue, Sep 16 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing that, since January 28, 2008, its laboratories have implemented a revised laboratory methodology for detecting and identifying E. coli O157:H7 in regulatory verification samples. This new method can be found in the Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook (MLG), Chapter 5.04.

Accredited Laboratory Program

Tue, Sep 9 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is revising, editing, and consolidating provisions of the standards and procedures for the accreditation of nonFederal analytical chemistry laboratories. Laboratories in the Accredited Laboratory Program (ALP) are accredited to analyze official meat and poultry samples for (1) specific chemical residues or classes of chemical residues, and (2) moisture, protein, fat, and salt. In particular, FSIS is amending its current regulations regarding the accreditation of nonFederal analytical chemistry laboratories to accommodate the adoption of newer methods for analyzing chemical residues and to correct some data. In addition, FSIS is making editorial changes to its accredited laboratory regulations to reflect Agency reorganizations and program changes and to improve the clarity and consistency of application for all laboratories participating in the ALP. Finally, FSIS is consolidating the accredited laboratory regulations from 9 CFR 318.21 of the meat ins

Determining Net Weight Compliance for Meat and Poultry Products

Tue, Sep 9 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 freeflowing 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 con

Allowing Bar-Type Cut Turkey Operations To Use J-Type Cut Maximum Line Speeds

Mon, Sep 8 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 Bartype cuts may operate at the maximum line speeds established for Jtype 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.

Irradiation as a Processing Aid

Mon, Sep 8 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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.

Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products

Wed, Sep 3 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 ReadytoEat 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

Fri, Aug 29 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 nonambulatory 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 nonambulatory disabled after they have passed antemortem inspection on a casebycase basis. This proposed rule will require that all cattle that are nonambulatory disabled at the time they are presented for antemortem inspection at an official establishment, and all those that become nonambulatory disabled after passing antemortem 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

Thu, Aug 28 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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

National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods

Fri, Aug 22 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 2226, 2008. The Committee will discuss: (1) Parameters for inoculatedpack 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.

National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection

Mon, Aug 18 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 2728, 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 c

Nominations for Membership on the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods

Mon, Aug 18 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 noncompensated 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 onesided pages and should include educational background, expertise, and a

National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods; Re-establishment

Thu, Aug 7 2008 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this notice is announcing the rechartering 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 http://www.fsis.usda.gov/About_FSIS/NACMCF/index.asp.

Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables

Tue, Jul 29 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 1520, 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

Thu, Jul 17 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 federallyinspected 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 co

Notice of Funding Opportunity With the Food Safety and Inspection Service for Food Safety and Defense Training for

Wed, Jun 25 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 Spanishspeaking 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

Thu, Jun 5 2008 11:00:00 GMT

This notice informs the public of the sanitary and phytosanitary standardsetting 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 103465, 108 Stat. 4809. This notice also provides a list of other standardsetting 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

Thu, May 1 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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

Mon, Apr 28 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 cosponsor a twoday summit that will include a public meeting on May 15, 2008, and an invitationonly 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 multijurisdictional foodborne outbreak investigations.

Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Mon, Apr 21 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 1217, 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 Public Meeting

Thu, Apr 3 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 910, 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

Thu, Mar 27 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 Contaminants in Foods

Mon, Mar 3 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 Food Additives

Mon, Mar 3 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 2125, 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 Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS)

Thu, Feb 14 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 1014, 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

Mon, Jan 28 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 incentivebased program for meat and poultry establishments that should yield significant data on attribution of human illness to FSISregulated 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

National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection

Fri, Jan 25 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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 56, 2008, to review and discuss: (1) The planned public healthbased 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

Tue, Jan 15 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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

Fri, Jan 11 2008 11:00:00 GMT

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.