Edited January 2025

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, FSIS is announcing its intention to renew an approved information collection regarding partner collaboration in response to illness outbreaks associated with FSIS-regulated food products.

This information collection continues to inform FSIS partner outreach efforts to effectively investigate and prevent foodborne illnesses. There are no changes to the existing information collection. The approval for this information collection will expire on November 30, 2024.

Dates

Submit comments on or before August 20, 2024.

Addresses

FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this Federal Register notice. Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides commenters the ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on the web page or to attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for submitting comments.
• Mail: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
• Hand- or Courier-Delivered Submittals: Deliver to 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 350-E, Washington, DC 20250-3700.

Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2024-0013. Comments received in response to this docket will be made available for public inspection and posted without change, including any personal information, to https://www.regulations.gov.

Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, call 202-720-5046 to schedule a time to visit the FSIS Docket Room at 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700.

For Further Information Contact

Gina Kouba, Office of Policy and Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700; 202-720-5046.

Supplementary Information

Title: Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigation Survey for FSIS Public Health Partners.

OMB Number: 0583-0175.

Type of Request: Renewal of an approved information collection.

Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the functions of the Secretary (7 CFR 2.18, 2.53), as specified in the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601, et seq. ), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451, et seq. ), and the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA) (21 U.S.C. 1031, et seq. ). These statutes mandate that FSIS protect the public by verifying that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled.

FSIS is requesting renewal of an approved information collection regarding partner collaboration in response to illness outbreaks associated with FSIS-regulated food products. This information collection continues to inform FSIS partner outreach efforts to effectively investigate and prevent foodborne illnesses. There are no changes to the existing information collection. The approval for this information collection will expire on November 30, 2024.

FSIS's Office of Public Health Science (OPHS) provides the scientific leadership necessary for the support of science-based food safety programs and policies implemented to reduce foodborne illnesses and deaths associated with FSIS-regulated products. As part of OPHS, the Applied Epidemiology Staff (AES) collaborates with public health partners in local, state, and federal government agencies to detect, respond to, and prevent foodborne illnesses, outbreaks, and food adulteration events. Effective communication between partners facilitates rapid investigation and control measures.

To promote successful partnerships, FSIS administers a series of surveys regarding foodborne illness outbreak investigations to its partners, including employees of state, territorial, and local governments. This also occurs as part of the after-action review process. The results of these surveys help FSIS prioritize outreach efforts. Surveys are conducted as needed, including as part of foodborne illness outbreak after-action reviews.

FSIS has made the following estimates based upon an information collection assessment:

Respondents: FSIS partners, including employees of state, territorial, and local governments.

Estimated Number of Annual Surveys: 20.

Estimated Number of Respondents per Survey: 10.

Estimated Participation Time per Survey in Minutes: 20.

Estimated Total Burden on Respondents: 67 hours.

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. Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained from Gina Kouba, Office of Policy and Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700; 202-720-5046.

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 method and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information, 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 FSIS, at the addresses provided above, and the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20253.

Additional Public Notification

Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy development is important. Consequently, FSIS will announce this Federal Register publication on-line through the FSIS web page located at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.

FSIS will also announce and provide a link to this Federal Register publication 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 our constituents and stakeholders. The Constituent Update is available on the FSIS web page. In addition, FSIS offers an email subscription service which provides automatic and customized access to selected food safety news and information. This service is available at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe. Options range from recalls to export information, regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves and have the option to password protect their accounts.

Paul Kiecker,

Administrator.

[FR Doc. 2024-13631 Filed 6-20-24; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P