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Food Safety and Inspection
Service United States Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250-3700 |
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Food Safety and Inspection
Service United States Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250-3700 |
Congressional and Public Affairs
Andrea McNally (202) 720-9113
FSIS Requests Comments on Petition Regarding Retained Water in Raw Meat and Poultry Products
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2001—The Food Safety and Inspection Service is seeking comment on a petition requesting a postponement of the effective date of regulations limiting the amount of water that may be retained by raw meat and poultry products.
Under the new regulation, which was published on Jan. 9, 2001 in the Federal Register, meat and poultry carcasses and their parts will not be permitted to retain water—unless it is an unavoidable consequence of processes used to meet food safety requirements. Products with retained water will be required to disclose this fact in their labeling.
The petitioners, four trade associations representing meat and poultry industries, maintain that the current Jan. 9, 2002 effective date does not allow sufficient time for companies to make required changes. The petitioners ask FSIS to delay the effective date until Aug. 1, 2004.
To submit comments on the petition, contact the FSIS Docket Room, (Docket #01-030N) U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Room 102, Cotton Annex, 300 12th Street, SW, Washington, D.C., 20250-3700. Comments are due by Nov. 16, 2001.
For Further Information, Contact:
FSIS Congressional and Public Affairs Staff
Phone: (202) 720-9113
Fax: (202) 690-0460