[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 81 (Thursday, April 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10083]


[Federal Register: April 28, 1994]


                                                    VOL. 59, NO. 81

                                           Thursday, April 28, 1994

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

9 CFR Parts 306, 318, and 381

[Docket No. 92-022R]
RIN 9583-AB62


Procedures for Appealing Product Retentions

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On February 14, 1994, the Food Safety and Inspection Service 
(FSIS) published a proposed rule to amend the Federal meat and poultry 
products inspection regulations to require appeals above the circuit 
supervisor level that are related to disposition of retained meat and 
poultry product to be made in writing; provide that an establishment 
has 20 calendar days to appeal a retention, recondition or rework 
product, or properly dispose of the product; and establish procedures 
to ensure appropriate disposition of product immediately after a 
decision has been reached on an appeal. The proposal also would allow 
establishments to accumulate retained product for the purpose of 
reexamination with specialized detecting equipment provided written 
procedures for such activity are approved by the Regional Director.
    The comment period closed on March 16, 1994. FSIS has received 
requests to reopen the comment period so that additional information 
may be provided to FSIS. FSIS is granting these requests and reopening 
the comment period for an additional 30 days.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before: May 31, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Written comments to Policy Office, ATTN: Diane Moore, FSIS 
Hearing Clerk, room 3171, South Agriculture Building, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 
20250. Oral comment as provided under the Poultry Products Inspection 
Act to Robert D. Murphy, (202) 720-3491.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert D. Murphy, Director, Processing 
Operations Staff, Inspection Management Program, Inspection Operations, 
Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Washington, DC 20250, (202) 720-3491.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 14, 1994, FSIS published a 
proposed rule (59 FR 6929) to amend the Federal meat and poultry 
products inspection regulations to:
    (1) Require establishments to submit written appeals above the 
circuit supervisor's level when the appeal relates to disposition of 
retained meat or poultry product,
    (2) Provide that an establishment has 20 calendar days to:
    (a) Appeal a retention,
    (b) Recondition or rework product, or
    (c) Properly dispose of the product, and
    (3) Establish procedures to ensure appropriate disposition of 
product immediately after a decision has been reached on an appeal.
    FSIS has received requests to reopen the comment period so that 
additional information can be gathered and submitted to FSIS. FSIS is 
interested in receiving additional information and is, therefore, 
reopening the comment period for an additional 30 days.

Done at Washington, DC, on: April 20, 1994.
Terry L. Medley,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 94-10083 Filed 4-26-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-M