[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 137 (Thursday, July 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38252-38253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18842]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 97-041N]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice 
announces the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) intention to 
request an extension for and revision of a currently approved 
information collection regarding processing procedures and quality 
control systems.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before September 
15, 1997.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Lee Puricelli, Paperwork 
Specialist, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 300 12th Street 
SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700, (202) 720-0346.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Processing Procedures and Quality Control Systems.
    OMB Number: 0583-0089.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 1997.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the 
functions of the Secretary as provided in the Federal Meat Inspection 
Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) and the Poultry Products Inspection 
Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451, et seq.). These statutes mandate that FSIS 
protects the public by ensuring that meat and poultry products are 
safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged.
    To carry out its responsibility, FSIS has promulgated specific 
regulations containing requirements for the processing of certain meat 
and poultry products. FSIS requires that establishments producing 
cooked beef, roast beef, and corned beef document the time, 
temperature, and humidity at which the product is cooked and cooled. 
FSIS program employees review these records no less than three times a 
week to ensure regulatory compliance.
    Establishments canning meat and poultry products must document the 
date of production; type of product canned; canning process used; size 
and type of container used; and any time/temperature processing 
requirements. FSIS program employees review these records no less that 
three times a week to verify regulatory compliance.
    Additionally, FSIS permits establishments to develop total quality 
control (TQC) systems or partial quality control (PQC) programs which 
provide establishments with flexibility in meeting FSIS's regulations. 
TQC systems encompass all aspects of product processing; PQC programs 
cover only a specific processing operation. Quality control systems/
programs incorporate inspection activities contained in FSIS's 
regulations.
    TQC systems and PQC programs must contain detailed information 
concerning the manner in which the system will function. Such 
information must include procedures for raw material control; the 
nature and frequency of tests to be made; the critical check or control 
points to be addressed; the nature of charts and other records that 
will be used; the length of time such charts and records will be 
maintained; the nature of deficiencies the system is designed to 
identify and control; the parameters or limits that will be used; and 
the points at which corrective action will occur and the nature of such 
corrective action--ranging from the least to the most severe. FSIS 
program employees review TQC and PQC system charts and records. FSIS 
program employees review these records no less than three times a week 
to ensure regulatory compliance.
    Because of the continued need for these information collection 
activities, FSIS is requesting OMB extension for and revision of the 
Information Collection Request covering information collection 
activities related to these requirements.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 120 hours per response.
    Respondents: Meat and poultry establishments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,186.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2,292.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 743,750 hours.
    Copies of this information collection assessment and comments can 
be obtained from Lee Puricelli, Paperwork Specialist, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, USDA, 300 12th Street SW, Room 109, Washington, DC 
20250-3700, (202) 720-0346.

[[Page 38253]]

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS's 
functions, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of FSIS' estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including through use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques, 
or other forms of information technology.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: July 10, 1997.
Thomas J. Billy,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-18842 Filed 7-16-97; 8:45 am]
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