[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 23 (Thursday, February 4, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 5629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-2644]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 99-003N]


Notice of Public Meeting on Listeria Monocytogenes

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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

SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is holding a 
public meeting on Listeria monocytogenes. Current industry and 
government procedures will be discussed such as sampling programs, 
monitoring programs, and recall procedures. FSIS anticipates using the 
information gathered at this meeting as a vehicle for developing a 
short- and long-term strategy for research, regulation, education, and 
enforcement regarding Listeria monocytogenes.

DATES: The meeting will be held February 10, 1999, from 9:00 a.m. to 
5:00 p.m. Written comments must be received by March 8, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Arlington Hilton--Ballston, 
950 N. Stafford Street, Arlington, VA 22203, telephone number is 703-
528-6000. To register for the meeting and to schedule a presentation, 
contact Jennifer Callahan by telephone at (202) 501-7136 or by FAX at 
(202) 501-7642. If a sign language interpreter or other special 
accommodation is necessary, contact Jennifer Callahan at the above 
number.
    Submit one original and two copies of written comments to: FSIS 
Docket Clerk, Docket #99-003N, Room 102 Cotton Annex, 300 12th Street, 
SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700. All comments received in response to 
this notice will be considered part of the public record and will be 
available for viewing in the FSIS Docket Room between 8:30 a.m. and 
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judith Riggins, Associate Deputy 
Administrator, Office of Policy, Program Development and Evaluation by 
telephone at (202) 720-2709 or by Fax at (202) 720-2025.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: USDA believes the current nationwide 
listeriosis outbreaks associated with meat and poultry products, as 
unfortunate as they are, present an opportunity to strengthen control 
efforts from farm to table and to reduce the risk of human illness. In 
addition to coordinating with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and 
the states to trace the chain of events that led to illness, FSIS is 
reviewing regulatory, enforcement, and educational strategies for 
reducing the number of foodborne illnesses associated with Listeria 
monocytogenes. FSIS is reexamining its consumer education materials, 
particularly those for ``at risk'' audiences, as well as its strategy 
for distributing these materials. FSIS will coordinate education and 
information activities with CDC and the Food and Drug Administration by 
means of the Partnership for Food Safety.
    In light of these concerns and initiatives, FSIS will hold a public 
meeting on February 10, 1999. The following issues are to be discussed 
at the meeting:
     Protocols for sampling ready-to-eat product, recall 
procedures established by industry and FSIS, and the status of the FSIS 
sampling programs for ready-to-eat products;
     The public health implications of Listeria monocytogenes;
     The use of sell-by and pull-by dates on meat and poultry 
labels, how they are determined, and whether the factors considered in 
determining them adequately reflect the possibility of Listeria 
monocytogenes grow out;
     Steps industry may take to address this pathogen; and
     Education initiatives, including special materials for 
``at risk'' audiences, FSIS and industry information dissemination 
procedures, consumer discussion about understanding of sell-by and 
pull-by dates on labels, and briefings on FoodNet, PulseNet, and DNA 
``fingerprinting.''

    Done at Washington, DC, on February 1, 1999.
Thomas J. Billy,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 99-2644 Filed 2-1-99; 1:34 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-M