[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 105 (Thursday, June 1, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 28547]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-13387]



========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 105 / Thursday, June 1, 1995 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 28547]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

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

[Docket No. 95-029N]


Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point 
(HACCP) Systems: Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.


ACTION: Extension of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is extending the 
comment period for its February 3, 1995, proposal titled ``Pathogen 
Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) 
Systems'' (60 FR 6774). FSIS has received several requests to extend 
the comment period. FSIS believes there is merit to some of the 
requests and, therefore, is extending the comment period for 30 days.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 5, 1995.


ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to: Diane Moore, FSIS Docket 
Clerk, Room 4352, South Agriculture Building, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 
20250. Oral comments, as provided by the Poultry Products Inspection 
Act, should be directed to the appropriate person listed in the 
proposed rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judith A. Segal, Director, Policy, 
Evaluation and Planning Staff, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 
USDA, (202) 720-7773.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 3, 1995, FSIS published a 
proposed rule, ``Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical 
Control Point (HACCP) Systems'' (60 FR 6774). In that document, the 
Agency proposed a number of regulatory changes applicable to Federal- 
and State-inspected meat and poultry establishments. The proposed 
changes are designed to reduce the occurrence and numbers of pathogenic 
microorganisms in meat and poultry products as well as control other 
hazards, thereby reducing the incidence of foodborne illness associated 
with the consumption of these products.

    FSIS has received several requests to extend the comment period. 
These requests state that additional time is needed to permit the 
drafting of meaningful, well-considered comments on the Agency's far-
reaching proposals, which take into account the new information and 
understanding growing out of the public hearing, scientific/technical 
conferences and public information briefings FSIS has conducted during 
the comment period. Also, extending the comment period will provide 
individuals, organizations, States, and foreign countries a better 
opportunity to respond to issues raised in others' comments received 
orally or in writing.

    FSIS continues to believe that there is an important public health 
need to complete this rulemaking promptly. The complexity and 
importance of this rulemaking also require, however, that FSIS provide 
every reasonable opportunity for persons to provide meaningful 
comments, which it needs to develop sound and effective final rules. 
Therefore, the Agency has decided to extend the comment period for 30 
days, to July 5, 1995.

    FSIS also intends to convene a two-day public meeting, four to six 
weeks after the close of the comment period, to permit further public 
discussion, during the Agency's decisionmaking process, based on issues 
raised in the administrative record developed during the comment 
period. The Agency will provide notice in the Federal Register of the 
dates, times, location, and topics for the meeting.

    Done at Washington, DC, on May 26, 1995.

Michael R. Taylor,

Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety.

[FR Doc. 95-13387 Filed 5-31-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P