In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposes a new Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) system of records entitled: USDA/FSIS-0005, AssuranceNet (ANet). ANet is a Web-based system that collects information to support FSIS' mission through detecting vulnerabilities in food safety systems, processes, and functions so that the potential for harm can be promptly identified, reduced, and eliminated. The information stored in ANet is gathered from various electronic and paper-based sources, and is used to track, measure, and monitor activities and performance. The System also alerts FSIS' management officials to the performance of critical public health and food defense functions; assists in discerning trends; identifies and focuses on areas of high-risk; and helps to determine strategies to combat threats to food safety and food defense. Within ANet, FSIS maintains contact and other identifying information about Federal employees, State employees, contractors of USDA, government officials, and representatives who work at or are associated with the work at meat and poultry establishments and egg products plants.

Dates

Applicable Date: April 21, 2022. Written comments must be received on or before the above date. The proposed system will be adopted on the above date, without further notice, unless it is modified in response to comments, in which case the notice will be republished.

Addresses

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

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website 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 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-2011-0031. 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) 720-5627 to schedule a time to visit the FSIS Docket Room at 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700.

For Further Information Contact

Scott Safian, AssuranceNet System Owner/Manager, Enforcement and Litigation Division, Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC, 20250; Telephone 202-418-8872. FOR PRIVACY Questions: Privacy Office, Office of the Chief Information Officer, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC, 20250; Telephone 202-619-8503.