[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 212 (Monday, November 3, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 62228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-27591]



[[Page 62228]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

9 CFR Parts 319 and 381

[Docket No. 01-032N]


Approving Ingredients Used in the Production of Meat and Poultry 
Products: Use of Any Safe and Suitable Binder or Antimicrobial Agent in 
Meat and Poultry Products With Standards of Identity or Composition

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Affirmation of effective date for direct final rule.

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

SUMMARY: On April 29, 2003, the Food Safety and Inspection Service 
(FSIS) published a direct final rule ``Approving Ingredients Used in 
the Production of Meat and Poultry Products: Use of Any Safe and 
Suitable Binder or Antimicrobial Agent in Meat and Poultry Products 
with Standards of Identity or Composition'' in the Federal Register. 
This direct final rule amended the Federal meat and poultry products 
inspection regulations to permit the use of any safe and suitable 
binder or antimicrobial agent in the production of meat and poultry 
products that are subject to a standard of identity or composition that 
provides for the use of such ingredients.

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 30, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Post, Director, Labeling and 
Consumer Protection Staff, Office of Policy and Program Development, 
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, ``Approving Ingredients Used in 
the Production of Meat and Poultry Products: Use of Any Safe and 
Suitable Binder or Antimicrobial Agent in Meat and Poultry Products 
with Standards of Identity or Composition'' (68 FR 22576, 4/29/03). 
This direct final rule amended the Federal meat and poultry products 
inspection regulations by permitting the use of any safe and suitable 
binder or antimicrobial agent in the production of meat and poultry 
products that are subject to a standard of identity or composition that 
provides for the use of such ingredients. The use of these ingredients 
must be consistent with any limitations or conditions of use prescribed 
in applicable FSIS or Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. 
On December 23, 1999, FSIS published in the Federal Register, a final 
rule entitled, ``Food Ingredients and Sources of Radiation Listed or 
Approved for Use in the Production of Meat and Poultry Products.'' The 
final rule provided a comprehensive background regarding the status of 
food ingredients and sources of radiation currently listed in titles 9 
and 21 of the CFR, and explained the process by which FDA and FSIS 
would be working together regarding future requests for approvals of 
ingredients to be used in meat and poultry products, which are under 
USDA jurisdiction.
    After publishing that rule, the two agencies entered into a 
memorandum of understanding that outlines the responsibilities of each 
Agency during the joint review of new ingredients or new uses of 
previously approved ingredients. Under the Federal Food, Drug and 
Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), FDA has the responsibility for determining the 
safety of ingredients. FSIS has authority under the Federal Meat 
Inspection Act (FMIA) and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) to 
determine whether new ingredients, or new uses of previously approved 
ingredients, are suitable for their intended use in meat and poultry 
products.
    FSIS received no comments in response to the direct final rule 
published on April 29, 2003. Therefore, the amendments to the 
regulations will be effective on June 30, 2003.

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 FSIS web page located 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 FSIS 
web site 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 October 29, 2003.
Garry L. McKee,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-27591 Filed 10-31-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P