[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 5, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-16108]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 5, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 317

[Docket No. 93-030E]
RIN 0583-AB74

 

Nutrition Labeling of Ground Beef and Hamburger

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On May 24, 1994, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) 
published a proposed rule (59 FR 26916) to amend the Federal meat 
inspection regulations by permitting percentage labeling for lean and 
fat on ground beef and hamburger, provided such product labeling 
contains nutrition information. FSIS has received a request to extend 
the comment period on the proposed rule so that additional data and 
information can be provided. FSIS has determined that the request 
should be granted and, therefore, is extending the comment period on 
the proposed rule for 45 days. FSIS is continuing to evaluate the 
effect that this extension will have on issues such as the survey for 
significant participation for voluntary nutrition labeling and the 
approval of labeling for ground beef and hamburger pending the outcome 
of this rulemaking.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 22, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments in triplicate to: Diane Moore, 
Docket Clerk, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Room 3171-S, Washington, DC 20250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Charles R. Edwards, Director, Product Assessment Division, 
Regulatory Programs, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250, (202) 254-2565.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 24, 1994, FSIS published in the 
Federal Register a proposed rule (59 FR 26916) to amend the Federal 
meat inspection regulations by permitting percentage labeling for lean 
and fat on ground beef and hamburger, provided such product labeling 
contains nutrition information. The proposed rule would provide 
increased flexibility in the labeling of ground beef and hamburger, and 
would also allow consumers to readily identify and differentiate 
between the varying lean/fat percentages of these products.
    Interested persons were given until July 8, 1994, in which to 
comment on the proposed rule. FSIS has received a request from a 
consumer interest group to extend the comment period on the proposed 
rule to allow additional time for consumer survey data to be gathered 
and submitted. FSIS noted in its proposed rule on percentage labeling 
for lean/fat on ground beef and hamburger (59 FR 26916) that it had not 
assessed whether multiple uses of the term ``percent lean'' might 
result in consumer misunderstanding that would limit informed consumer 
choice. The consumer survey will provide information on consumer 
perceptions of the terms ``lean,'' ``extra lean,'' ``percent lean,'' 
``reduced fat,'' and ``percent daily value.'' FSIS is interested in 
receiving such data to assist in its efforts to develop comprehensive 
nutrition labeling regulations that will help consumers make informed 
purchasing decisions. FSIS believes that it would be a disservice to 
consumers and industry for FSIS to deny an opportunity for further 
input into a decision on the labeling of ground beef and hamburger. 
Therefore, FSIS is extending the comment period on the proposed rule 
for 45 days so that any labeling decision resulting from its proposed 
rule reflects the greatest amount of data and information available on 
this important issue. FSIS is continuing to evaluate the effect that 
this extension will have on issues such as the survey for significant 
participation for voluntary nutrition labeling and the approval of 
labeling for ground beef and hamburger pending the outcome of this 
rulemaking.

    Done at Washington, DC, on: June 27, 1994.
William J. Hudnall,
Acting Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 94-16108 Filed 7-1-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P