[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 218 (Friday, November 8, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57790-57791]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28743]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service

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

[Docket No. 93-016-10N]


Joint Food Safety and Inspection Service and Food and Drug 
Administration Conference on Time, Temperature, and Transportation

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of conference.

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

SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Food and 
Drug Administration (FDA) will hold a conference, ``Joint FSIS and FDA 
Conference on Time, Temperature and Transportation.'' The conference 
will focus on identifying desirable and feasible temperature control 
interventions and verification techniques to improve food safety.

DATES: The conference will be held on November 18-20, 1996, from 8:30 
a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m.

ADDRESSES: The 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).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
To register for the conference, call (800) 485-4429, FAX (202) 501-
7642, or E-mail usdafsis/[email protected]. Participants who 
wish to make presentations or display devices should contact Craig 
Simmerman at (202) 501-7138 by November 12, 1996.
    Participants who require a sign language interpreter or other 
special accommodations, contact Ms. Sheila Johnson at (202) 501-7138 by 
November 13, 1996. Contact Dr. Robert Hasiak at (202) 501-7319 to ask 
technical questions about the conference.

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. In the preamble of the rule, 
FSIS announced its collaboration with FDA to develop standards 
governing the safety of potentially hazardous foods, including meat and 
poultry, eggs, and seafood, during transportation and storage, with 
particular emphasis on proper cooling to minimize the growth of 
pathogenic microorganisms, and on disclosure of prior cargoes in 
transport vehicles. Also, FSIS and FDA are developing an advance notice 
of proposed rulemaking addressing these issues.
    To discuss this initiative, FSIS and FDA will hold the conference, 
``Joint FSIS and FDA Conference on Time, Temperature, and 
Transportation.'' The conference will focus on time and temperature 
risks associated with meat and poultry, seafood, and eggs; logistical 
considerations that affect time and temperature considerations 
associated with these products; the performance

[[Page 57791]]

characteristics of these products during refrigeration, transportation, 
and storage; and carcass cooling.
    Interested persons may make presentations on these and related 
topics. Each presentation should be no longer than 15 minutes. FSIS 
will schedule about 15 to 20 presentations each day. Presentations will 
be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Also, interested 
persons may display devices that are relevant to time and temperature 
control issues. Space for table-top displays is limited and will be 
allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Craig Zimmerman 
(see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) to make reservations for 
presentations or to display devices.

    Done at Washington, DC, on: November 5, 1996.
Thomas J. Billy,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 96-28743 Filed 11-5-96; 12:22 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P