[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 38 (Monday, February 27, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10516-10517]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4498]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

9 CFR Parts 308, 310, 318, 320, 325, 326, 327, and 381

[Docket No. 95-005N]


Information Briefings: Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and 
Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Announcement of outreach activities.

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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing a 
series of public outreach activities to provide information on the 
proposed rule titled ``Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical 
Control Points (HACCP) Systems'' that was published on February 3, 
1995. These activities consist of six briefings on the proposal; three 
scientific/technical conferences; and one two-day public hearing. These 
[[Page 10517]] activities are intended to assist the public in 
understanding the proposed rule and in providing comments on the 
proposed rule.

DATES: See Supplementary Information for dates of hearings.

ADDRESSES: See Supplementary Information for locations of hearings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Vitiello, Director, Planning and 
Analysis, Planning Office, Policy, Evaluation and Planning Staff, FSIS, 
USDA, Room 6904 Franklin Court, Washington, DC 20250, (202) 501-7138.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 3, 1995, FSIS published a 
proposed rule titled ``Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical 
Control Points (HACCP) Systems'' (60 FR 6774). The proposal provides a 
number of requirements applicable to Federal and State-inspected meat 
and poultry establishments. The proposed requirements are designed to 
reduce the occurrence and numbers of pathogenic organisms in meat and 
poultry products, thereby reducing the incidence of foodborne illness 
associated with the consumption of these products.

Information Briefings

    To assist the public in understanding the proposal, FSIS is holding 
six briefings as follows. Each briefing will run from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 
p.m. Any person who wishes to attend any of the information briefings 
should contact the FSIS Planning Office at (202) 501-7138.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Date            City/state         Location           Contact    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mar. 7...........  San Francisco,     Henry J. Kaiser   Linda Russell,  
                    Oakland, CA.       Convention        (202) 501-7138.
                                       Center, 10                       
                                       Tenth Street,                    
                                       Oakland, CA                      
                                       94607.                           
Mar. 14..........  Dallas, TX.......  Dallas Grand      Dan Vitiello    
                                       Hotel, 1914       (202) 501-7138.
                                       Commerce St.,                    
                                       Dallas, TX                       
                                       75201, (214)                     
                                       747-7000; 1-800-                 
                                       421-0011.                        
Mar. 16..........  Chicago, IL......  Holiday Inn       Ken Elane, (202)
                                       O'Hare Airport,   501-7138.      
                                       5440 North                       
                                       River Rd.,                       
                                       Rosemont, IL                     
                                       60018, (708)                     
                                       671-6350.                        
Mar. 21..........  Atlanta, GA......  Richard Russell   Ron Niemeyer,   
                                       Federal           (202) 501-7138.
                                       Building, 75                     
                                       Spring St.,                      
                                       SW., Atlanta,                    
                                       GA 30303.                        
Mar. 23..........  New York, NY.....  Federal           Ken Elane, (202)
                                       Building, 26      501-7138.      
                                       Federal Plaza,                   
                                       Room 305, New                    
                                       York, NY 10278.                  
Mar. 30..........  Washington, DC...  Hyatt Regency     Linda Russell   
                                       Crystal City,     (202) 501-7138.
                                       2799 Jefferson                   
                                       Davis Highway,                   
                                       Arlington, VA                    
                                       22202, (703)                     
                                       418-1234.                        
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    The format for each briefing will be the same:
    1. A panel of subject matter specialists will explain various 
aspects of the proposal.
    2. Attendees will submit any questions they have, in writing.
    3. Panelists will answer the questions.

Scientific/Technical Conferences

    FSIS also plans to hold three conferences, each addressing a 
specific scientific/technical issue. Information on each specific 
conference will be published separately at a later date.
    The three conferences are scheduled to be held as follows:

Issue: ``New Technology to Improve Food Safety''

April 12-13, Chicago, IL, Holiday Inn O'Hare Airport, 5440 North 
River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018, (708) 671-6350

Issue: ``The Role of Microbiological Testing in Verifying Food Safety''

May 1-2, Philadelphia, PA, Holiday Inn-Independence Mall, Fourth and 
Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19106, (215) 923-8860

Issue: ``An Evaluation of the Role of Microbiological Criteria in 
Establishing Food Safety Performance Standards in Meat and Poultry 
Products''

May 18-19, Washington, DC, Georgetown University, Conference Center, 
3800 Reservoir Road, Washington, DC 20007, (202) 687-3200

Public Hearing

    Lastly, FSIS is planning to hold a two-day public hearing for those 
commenters who wish to submit oral comments in response to the proposed 
rule. (Oral comments may also be provided to FSIS by contacting the 
persons listed in the proposed rule). The public hearing will be held:

May 30-31, Washington, DC, Georgetown University Conference Center, 
3800 Reservoir Road, NW., Washington, DC 20007, (202) 687-3200

    Done at Washington, DC, on: February 17, 1995.
Michael R. Taylor,
Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety.
[FR Doc. 95-4498 Filed 2-24-95; 8:45 am]
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