[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 102 (Wednesday, May 28, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31679-31680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13252]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. 03-014N]


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 to a currently approved 
information collection package (ICP) regarding Pathogen Reduction and 
the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) System. In 
addition, FSIS plans to incorporate the currently approved Eschericha 
coli (E. coli) contamination in beef products information collection 
package into the revised and extended Pathogen Reduction/HACCP 
information collection package.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before July 28, 
2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR COMMENTS CONTACT: John O' Connell, Paperwork 
Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 
300 12th Street, SW., Room 112, Washington, DC 20250-3700, (202) 720-
0345.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Pathogen Reduction/Hazard Analysis 
and Critical Control Point (HACCP) System.
    OMB Number: 0583-0103.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 2/29/2004.
    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 specified 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 
protect the public by taking regulatory actions to provide that meat 
and poultry products are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly 
labeled and packaged.
    FSIS is requesting an extension and revision to the ICP addressing 
meat and poultry paperwork and recordkeeping requirements regarding 
Pathogen Reduction and the HACCP system.
    FSIS has established requirements applicable to meat and poultry 
establishments designed to reduce the occurrence and numbers of 
pathogenic microorganisms on meat and poultry products, reduce the 
incidence of foodborne illness associated with the consumption of those 
products, and provide a new framework for modernization of the meat and 
poultry inspection system. The regulations (1) require that each 
establishment develop and implement written sanitation standard 
operating procedures (Sanitation SOPs); (2) require regular microbial 
testing for generic E. coli by slaughter establishments to verify the 
adequacy of the establishment's process controls for the prevention and 
removal of fecal contamination and associated bacteria; (3) establish 
pathogen reduction performance standards for Salmonella that slaughter

[[Page 31680]]

establishments and establishments producing raw ground products must 
meet; and (4) require that all meat and poultry establishments develop 
and implement a system of preventive controls designed to improve the 
safety of their products, known as HACCP.
    FSIS plans to incorporate the currently approved E. coli 
contamination in beef products ICP into this revised and extended 
Pathogen Reduction/HACCP ICP. The OMB approval number for the E. coli 
contamination ICP is 0583-0103. FSIS has decided to combine the E. coli 
contamination in beef products ICP into the Pathogen Reduction/HACCP 
ICP because the Pathogen Reduction/HACCP ICP covers information 
collections that occur under the Agency's pathogen reduction efforts. 
The E. coli contamination in beef products ICP covers the Agency's 
collection of information from Federal grinding establishments 
concerning the suppliers of source materials.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 0.128 hours per response.
    Respondents: Meat and poultry establishments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 8,114.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 7,732.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 8,051,306.
    Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained 
from John O' Connell, Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety 
and Inspection Service, USDA, 300 12th Street, SW., Room 112, 
Washington, DC 20250-3700, (202) 720-5627,(202)720-0345.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS' 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; ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques, or other forms of 
information technology. Comments may be sent to both John O' Connell, 
Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, at the address provided above, and 
the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20253.
    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.

Additional Public Notification

    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, in an effort to better ensure 
that minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are aware of this 
notice, FSIS will announce it and make copies of this Federal Register 
publication available through the FSIS Constituent Update. FSIS 
provides a weekly Constituent Update, which is communicated via 
Listserv, a free e-mail subscription service. In addition, the update 
is available on-line through the Internet at http://www.fsis.usda.gov. 
The update is used to provide information regarding FSIS policies, 
procedures, regulations, Federal Register notices, FSIS public 
meetings, recalls, and any other types of information that could affect 
or would be of interest to our constituents/stakeholders. The 
constituent Listserv consists of industry, trade, and farm groups, 
consumer interest groups, allied health professionals, scientific 
professionals, and other individuals that have requested to be 
included. Through the Listserv and web page, FSIS is able to provide 
information to a much broader, more diverse audience.
    For more information contact the Congressional and Public Affairs 
Office, at (202) 720-9113. To be added to the free e-mail subscription 
service (Listserv) go to the ``Constituent Update'' page on the 
Internet at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/update/update.htm. Click on the 
``Subscribe to the Constituent Update Listserv'' link, then fill out 
and submit the form.


    Done at Washington, DC, on: May 21, 2003.
Garry L. McKee,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-13252 Filed 5-27-03; 8:45 am]
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