[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 63 (Friday, March 31, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17128-17129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8007]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

9 CFR part 424

[Docket No. 99-028N]


Food Additives for Use in Meat and Poultry Products: Sodium 
Diacetate, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Lactate and Potassium Lactate

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Affirmation of effective date for direct final rule.

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SUMMARY: On January 20, 2000, the Food Safety and Inspection Service 
(FSIS) published a direct final rule ``Food Additives for Use in Meat 
and Poultry Products: Sodium Diacetate, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Lactate 
and Potassium Lactate'' in the Federal Register. This direct final rule 
notified the public of FSIS' intention to amend the Federal meat and 
poultry products inspection regulations to allow the use of these 
additives in meat and poultry products.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 20, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Post, Director, Labeling and 
Additives Policy Division, Office of Policy, Program Development and 
Evaluation, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250-3700; (202) 205-0279.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    FSIS published a direct final rule, ``Food Additives for Use in 
Meat and Poultry Products: Sodium Diacetate, Sodium Acetate, Sodium 
Lactate and Potassium Lactate'' (65 FR 3121, 1/20/00). This direct 
final rule amended the Federal meat and poultry products inspection 
regulations by increasing the permissible levels of sodium acetate as a 
flavor enhancer in meat and poultry products and of sodium diacetate as 
a flavor enhancer and as an inhibitor of the growth of pathogens. This 
direct

[[Page 17129]]

final rule also permitted the use of sodium lactate and potassium 
lactate in meat and poultry products, except for infant formulas and 
infant food, for purposes of inhibiting the growth of certain 
pathogens. This direct final rule was in response to petitions received 
by Armour Swift-Ekrich and Purac America, Inc.
    FSIS provided for a 30-day comment period ending on February 22, 
2000. FSIS received no comments in response to the direct final rule. 
Therefore, the amendments to the regulations will be effective on March 
20, 2000.

    Done at Washington, DC, on: March 27, 2000.
Thomas J. Billy,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 00-8007 Filed 3-30-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P