Proposed Rules. Notice and request for comments

Agency: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA
Action: Notice and request for comments
Citation: 81 FR (No. 248) · FR Doc. 2016-31246 · Docket No. FSIS-2016-0038

Summary

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to request a revision of the approved information collection regarding Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (Sanitation SOPs), pathogen testing and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems requirements because the OMB approval will expire on April 30, 2017. FSIS has increased its total annual burden estimate by 781,956 hours as a result of new available data.

Dates

Comments on this notice must be received on or before February 27, 2017.

Supplementary Information

Title: Sanitation SOPs and Pathogen Reduction/HACCP Systems. OMB Number: 0583-0103. Expiration Date of Approval: 4/30/2017. Type of Request: Revision of an 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 provide that FSIS is to protect the public by verifying that meat and poultry products are safe, wholesome, not adulterated, and properly labeled and packaged. FSIS is requesting a revision of the approved information collection regarding Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (Sanitation SOPs), pathogen testing and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems requirements because the OMB approval will expire on April 30, 2017. FSIS has increased its total annual burden estimate by 781,956 hours as a result of new available data. 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 framework for modernization of the meat and poultry inspection system. The regulations (1) require that each establishment develop, implement, and revise, as needed, written Sanitation SOPs (9 CFR part 416); (2) require regular microbial testing for generic E. coli by livestock establishments to verify the adequacy of the establishment's process controls for the prevention and removal of fecal contamination and associated bacteria (9 CFR 310.25(a); and (3) 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 (9 CFR part 417). Establishments may have programs that are prerequisite to HACCP that are designed to provide the basic environmental and operating conditions necessary for the production of safe, wholesome food. Because of its prerequisite programs an establishment may decide that a food safety hazard is not reasonably likely to occur in its operations. The establishment would need to document this determination in its Hazard Analysis and include the procedures it employs to ensure that the program is working and that the hazard is not likely to occur (9 CFR 417.5 (a)(1)). FSIS has made the estimates below based upon an information collection assessment. Estimate of Burden: FSIS estimates that it will take respondents an average of 1,157 hours each year to comply with the information request associated with this collection. Respondents: Meat and poultry establishments. Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,087. Estimated Number of Annual Responses per Respondent: 6,087. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,045,303 hours. 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 SW., Room 6077, South Building, Washington, DC 20250, (202) 690-6510. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of FSIS's 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; 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, Washington, DC 20253. 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, FSIS will announce this Federal Register publication on-line through the FSIS Web page located at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register. FSIS also will make copies of this 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 our constituents and stakeholders. The Update is available on the FSIS Web page. Through the Web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a much broader, more diverse audience. 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: http://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. USDA Non-Discrimination Statement No agency, officer, or employee of the USDA shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, or political beliefs, exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to discrimination any person in the United States under any program or activity conducted by the USDA. How To File a Complaint of Discrimination To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you or your authorized representative. Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, or email: Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, Fax: (202) 690-7442, Email: program.intake@usda.gov. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). Done at Washington, DC, on December 21, 2016. Alfred V. Almanza, Acting Administrator. [FR Doc. 2016-31246 Filed 12-23-16; 8:45 am]