[Federal Register: May 28, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 102)]
[Notices]
[Page 31679-31680]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28my03-29]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 03-014N]
Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently
Approved Information Collection
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice
announces the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) intention to
request an extension for and revision to a currently approved
information collection package (ICP) regarding Pathogen Reduction and
the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) System. In
addition, FSIS plans to incorporate the currently approved Eschericha
coli (E. coli) contamination in beef products information collection
package into the revised and extended Pathogen Reduction/HACCP
information collection package.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before July 28,
2003.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR COMMENTS CONTACT: John O' Connell, Paperwork
Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA,
300 12th Street, SW., Room 112, Washington, DC 20250-3700, (202) 720-
0345.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Pathogen Reduction/Hazard Analysis
and Critical Control Point (HACCP) System.
OMB Number: 0583-0103.
Expiration Date of Approval: 2/29/2004.
Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved
information collection.
Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the
functions of the Secretary as specified in the Federal Meat Inspection
Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) and the Poultry Products Inspection
Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.). These statutes mandate that FSIS
protect the public by taking regulatory actions to provide that meat
and poultry products are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly
labeled and packaged.
FSIS is requesting an extension and revision to the ICP addressing
meat and poultry paperwork and recordkeeping requirements regarding
Pathogen Reduction and the HACCP system.
FSIS has established requirements applicable to meat and poultry
establishments designed to reduce the occurrence and numbers of
pathogenic microorganisms on meat and poultry products, reduce the
incidence of foodborne illness associated with the consumption of those
products, and provide a new framework for modernization of the meat and
poultry inspection system. The regulations (1) require that each
establishment develop and implement written sanitation standard
operating procedures (Sanitation SOPs); (2) require regular microbial
testing for generic E. coli by slaughter establishments to verify the
adequacy of the establishment's process controls for the prevention and
removal of fecal contamination and associated bacteria; (3) establish
pathogen reduction performance standards for Salmonella that slaughter
establishments and establishments producing raw ground products must
meet; and (4) require that all meat and poultry establishments develop
and implement a system of preventive controls designed to improve the
safety of their products, known as HACCP.
FSIS plans to incorporate the currently approved E. coli
contamination in beef products ICP into this revised and extended
Pathogen Reduction/HACCP ICP. The OMB approval number for the E. coli
contamination ICP is 0583-0103. FSIS has decided to combine the E. coli
contamination in beef products ICP into the Pathogen Reduction/HACCP
ICP because the Pathogen Reduction/HACCP ICP covers information
collections that occur under the Agency's pathogen reduction efforts.
The E. coli contamination in beef products ICP covers the Agency's
collection of information from Federal grinding establishments
concerning the suppliers of source materials.
Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection
of information is estimated to average 0.128 hours per response.
Respondents: Meat and poultry establishments.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 8,114.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 7,732.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 8,051,306.
Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained
from John O' Connell, Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety
and Inspection Service, USDA, 300 12th Street, SW., Room 112,
Washington, DC 20250-3700, (202) 720-5627,(202)720-0345.
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS' functions,
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the
accuracy of FSIS' estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions
used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who are to respond, including
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection techniques, or other forms of
information technology. Comments may be sent to both John O' Connell,
Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, at the address provided above, and
the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20253.
All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of
public record.
Additional Public Notification
Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy
development is important. Consequently, in an effort to better ensure
that minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are aware of this
notice, FSIS will announce it and make copies of this Federal Register
publication available through the FSIS Constituent Update. FSIS
provides a weekly Constituent Update, which is communicated via
Listserv, a free e-mail subscription service. In addition, the update
is available on-line through the Internet at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.fsis.usda.gov.
The update is used to provide information regarding FSIS policies,
procedures, regulations, Federal Register notices, FSIS public
meetings, recalls, and any other types of information that could affect
or would be of interest to our constituents/stakeholders. The
constituent Listserv consists of industry, trade, and farm groups,
consumer interest groups, allied health professionals, scientific
professionals, and other individuals that have requested to be
included. Through the Listserv and web page, FSIS is able to provide
information to a much broader, more diverse audience.
For more information contact the Congressional and Public Affairs
Office, at (202) 720-9113. To be added to the free e-mail subscription
service (Listserv) go to the ``Constituent Update'' page on the
Internet at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/update/update.htm. Click on the
``Subscribe to the Constituent Update Listserv'' link, then fill out
and submit the form.
Done at Washington, DC, on: May 21, 2003.
Garry L. McKee,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-13252 Filed 5-27-03; 8:45 am]