[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 154 (Friday, August 9, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48631-48632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19322]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
9 CFR Part 317
[Docket No. FSIS-2008-0017]
Descriptive Designation for Needle- or Blade-Tenderized
(Mechanically Tenderized) Beef Products
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is extending the
comment period for the Federal Register proposed rule, ``Descriptive
Designation for Needle- or blade-tenderized (Mechanically Tenderized)
Beef Products'' until October 8, 2013. The Agency is taking this action
in response to two requests made by trade associations.
DATES: Comments are due by October 8, 2013.
ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this
notice. Comments may be submitted by either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: This Web site provides the ability to
type short comments directly into the comment field on this Web page or
attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to http://www.regulations.gov/. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for
submitting comments.
Mail, including CD-ROMs: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400
Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop 3782, Room 8-163B, Washington, DC
20250-3700.
Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to Patriots Plaza 3,
355 E Street SW., Room 8-163B, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2007-0017. Comments
received in response to this docket will be made available for public
inspection and posted without change, including any personal
information, to http://www.regulations.gov.
Docket: For access to background documents or to comments received,
go to the FSIS Docket Room at Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E Street SW., Room
8-164, Washington, DC 20250-3700 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Edelstein, Assistant
Administrator, Office of Policy and Program Development, Telephone:
(202) 205-0495, or by Fax: (202) 720-2025.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 10, 2013, FSIS published a proposed
rule in the Federal Register (78 FR 34589), ``Descriptive Designation
for Needle- or blade-tenderized (Mechanically Tenderized) Beef
Products.''
In the rule, FSIS is proposing to require the use of the
descriptive designation ``mechanically tenderized'' on the labels of
raw or partially cooked needle- or blade-tenderized beef products,
including beef products injected with marinade or solution, unless such
products are destined to be fully cooked at an official establishment.
FSIS is proposing that the product name for such beef products include
the descriptive designation ``mechanically tenderized'' and an accurate
description of the beef component. FSIS is also proposing to require
that the print for all words in the product name appear in the same
style, color, and size and on a single-color contrasting background. In
addition, FSIS is proposing to require that labels of raw and partially
cooked needle- or blade-tenderized beef products destined for household
consumers, hotels, restaurants, or similar institutions include
validated cooking instructions that inform consumers that these
products need to be cooked to a specified minimum internal temperature,
and whether they need to be held at that minimum temperature for a
specified time before consumption, i.e., dwell time or rest time, to
ensure that they are fully cooked.
FSIS is also announcing that it has posted on its Web site guidance
for developing validated cooking instructions for mechanically
tenderized product.
Two trade associations addressed letters to FSIS requesting an
additional 120 days to comment on the proposed rule and the guidance
for validated cooking instructions. Both letters stated that additional
time was needed to submit comprehensive comments because the Agency had
asked for comment on not only the proposed rule and the guidance but
also on numerous related issues.
For the reason given in these requests, FSIS agrees to extend the
comment period. The Agency believes that an additional 60-day extension
is sufficient. The comment period for the proposed rule will now end on
October 8, 2013.
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color,
national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs,
sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited
bases apply to all programs.)
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for
communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape,
etc.) should contact USDA's Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and
TTY).
To file a written complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office
of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TTY).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Additional Public Notification
FSIS will announce this notice online through the FSIS Web page
located at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulations/federal-register/federal-register-notices.
FSIS will also make copies of this Federal Register publication
available through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide
information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal
Register notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information
that could affect or would be of interest to constituents and
stakeholders. The Update is communicated via Listserv, a free
electronic mail subscription service for industry, trade groups,
consumer interest groups, health professionals, and other individuals
who have asked to be included. The Update is also available on the FSIS
Web page. In addition, FSIS offers an electronic mail subscription
service which provides automatic and customized access to selected food
safety news and information. This service is available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/programs-and-services/email-subscription-service. Options range from recalls to export information
to regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add or delete
subscriptions themselves, and have the option to password protect their
accounts.
[[Page 48632]]
Done at Washington, DC, on: August 2, 2013.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2013-19322 Filed 8-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P