[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 105 (Monday, June 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 29705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14320]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 97-039N]


Exemption for Retail Stores; Adjustment of Dollar Limitations

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: FSIS has increased the limitation on annual sales of meat and 
poultry products by retail stores exempt from Federal inspection. The 
dollar limitation for poultry products has been increased from $35,700 
to $37,900 for calendar year 1997; the dollar limitation for meat 
products has been increased from $38,900 to $40,300 for calendar year 
1997. These increases conform with price changes for meat and poultry 
products indicated by the Consumer Price Index.

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 2, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Stolfa, Assistant Deputy 
Administrator, Regulations and Inspection, Food Safety and Inspection 
Service, (202) 205-0699.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under the regulations in 9 CFR 303.1(d) and 381.10(d), FSIS exempts 
certain retail stores from routine Federal inspection of meat and 
poultry products. Whether a retail store qualifies for an exemption 
depends, in part, upon the percentage and volume of trade in meat and 
poultry products it conducts with non-household consumers (hotels, 
restaurants, or similar institutions). The regulations state in dollars 
the maximum amount of meat and poultry products a retail store may sell 
to non-household consumers if that store is to remain exempt from 
inspection.
    FSIS adjusts the dollar limitation during the first quarter of each 
calendar year if the Consumer Price Index, published by the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics, indicates at least a $500 increase or decrease in the 
price of the same volume of product during the previous year. FSIS 
publishes a notice of the adjusted dollar limitation in the Federal 
Register.
    The Consumer Price Index for 1996 indicates an average annual price 
increase in meat products of 3.5 percent and an average annual price 
increase in poultry products of 6.2 percent. When rounded off to the 
nearest $100, the price increase for meat products amounts to $1,400 
and the price increase for poultry products amounts to $2,200. Prices 
of meat and poultry, therefore, have changed in excess of $500. 
Accordingly, in accordance with Secs. 303.1(d)(2)(iii)(b) and 
381.10(d)(2)(iii)(b) of the regulations, FSIS has increased the dollar 
limitation of permitted sales of meat products from $38,900 to $40,300 
and raised the dollar limitation of permitted sales for poultry 
products from $35,700 to $37,900.

    Done in Washington, DC, May 28, 1997.
Thomas J. Billy,
Administrator, Food Safety Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 97-14320 Filed 5-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P