[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 21, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 43150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21346]



[[Page 43150]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
9 CFR Parts 304, 308, 310, 320, 327, 381, 416, and 417

[Docket No. 93-016-2N]


Technical Conference Regarding E. coli Verification Testing

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is holding a 
conference, ``Technical Conference Regarding E. coli Verification 
Testing,'' on September 12-13, 1996. The conference will address 
scientific and technical issues related to the E. coli verification 
testing required by FSIS's final rule, ``Pathogen Reduction; Hazard 
Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems,'' published on 
July 25, 1996.

DATES: The conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on 
September 12 and from 8:30 a.m. until Noon on September 13, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The two-day conference will be held at the U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Back of the South 
Building Cafeteria (between the 2nd and 3rd Wings). Submit one original 
and two copies of written comments to: FSIS Docket Clerk, DOCKET #93-
016F, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection 
Service, Room 4352, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 
20250-3700. All comments submitted on this rule will be available for 
public inspection in the Docket Clerk's Office between 8:30 a.m. and 
1:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To register for the conference, or to 
arrange to present technical data, contact Betsy Kogan, at (800) 485-
4429 or E-mail usdafsis/[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 25, 1996, FSIS published a final 
rule, ``Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point 
(HACCP) Systems'' (61 FR 38805). This rule introduced sweeping changes 
to the meat and poultry inspection system. Among other things, the rule 
requires all slaughter establishments to test for E. coli at a 
frequency based on production volume to verify that they are meeting 
the established performance criteria.
    In the preamble to the final rule (pp. 38844-38846), FSIS solicited 
comments and information on a number of technical issues concerning the 
protocols for E. coli testing. FSIS also announced that a public 
conference would be held to discuss such issues. The first conference, 
``Technical Conference Regarding E. coli Verification Testing'' has 
been scheduled for September 12-13, 1996. This conference, led by a 
panel of Government scientists, will provide interested parties the 
opportunity to present technical data, information, and views related 
to the E. coli testing requirements.
    At the conference, FSIS officials will present a brief overview of 
the E. coli testing program. FSIS invites interested parties to make 
presentations addressing the following:

    Are there alternative, equally or more effective risk-based 
microbial sampling protocols that could be used for process control 
verification by establishments that slaughter cattle or swine?
    Are there more appropriate anatomical sites for microbial 
testing than those adopted?
    Are there alternative sampling frequencies that would elicit 
results more indicative of process control performance?
    How could the proposed testing protocol be revised to better 
account for differing establishment characteristics and how can FSIS 
minimize the cost to establishments of E. coli testing without 
sacrificing testing effectiveness?
    Are there worker safety concerns regarding sampling from 
difficult to reach carcass sites and, if so, how might they be 
mitigated?
    Given that testing is based on production volume, are there 
effective approaches other than requiring very small establishments 
to conduct a minimal amount of testing during certain months of the 
year?

    Persons wishing to make presentations should contact Betsy Kogan 
(see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), to advise her of the nature of 
the presentation. Transcripts of the conference will be available in 
the FSIS Docket Room (See ADDRESSES).
    Also, interested parties are reminded that written comments will be 
received on or before September 23, 1996, on the scientific and 
technical issues associated with E. coli testing. Comments should be 
sent to the FSIS Docket Room (See ADDRESSES).

    Done at Washington, DC, on: August 16, 1996.
Michael R. Taylor,
Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety.
[FR Doc. 96-21346 Filed 8-16-96; 2:52 pm]
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