[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 207 (Friday, October 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63425-63426]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-25397]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2008-0033]


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection (Voluntary Recalls of Meat and Poultry Products)

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, the Food Safety and 
Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to request an 
extension of an approved information collection regarding the voluntary 
recalls from commerce of meat and poultry products because the approval 
for this information collection is due to expire.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before December 
23, 2008.

ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this 
notice. Comments may be submitted by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: This Web site provides the 
ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this 
Web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions at that site for 
submitting comments.
     Mail, including floppy disks or CD-ROMs, and hand- or 
courier-delivered items: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Room 2534, South Agriculture Building, Washington, DC 
20250-3700.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the

[[Page 63426]]

Agency name and docket number FSIS-2008-0033. Comments received in 
response to this docket will be made available for public inspection 
and posted without change, including any personal information, to 
http://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, go 
to the FSIS Docket Room at the address listed above between 8:30 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact John O'Connell, Paperwork 
Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 3532 South Building, Washington, DC 
20250-3700; 202-720-0345.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Voluntary Recalls of Meat and Poultry Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0583-0135.
    Expiration Date: 3/31/2009.
    Type of Request: Extension of an 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 verifying that meat and poultry products are 
safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged.
    FSIS is requesting an extension of an approved information 
collection addressing paperwork requirements regarding the Agency's 
voluntary recalls from commerce of meat and poultry products because 
the approval for this information collection is due to expire. Although 
FSIS is responsible for the inspection of egg products under the Egg 
Products Inspection Act (EPIA) (21 U.S.C. 1031, et seq.), the Food and 
Drug Administration handles the recalls of egg products under a 
Memorandum of Understanding with FSIS.
    A firm that has produced or imported meat or poultry product that 
is adulterated or misbranded and is being distributed in commerce, may 
voluntarily recall the product in question. When there is a recall, 
FSIS asks that the recalling firm provide the Agency with some basic 
information, including the identity of the recalled product, the reason 
for the recall, and information about the distributors and retail 
consignees to whom the product was actually shipped. Under the FMIA, 
firms are required to keep such records that fully and correctly 
disclose all transactions in their business (21 U.S.C. 642). Under the 
PPIA, firms are required to keep such records as are properly necessary 
for the effective enforcement of the PPIA (21 U.S.C. 460(b)).
    When a firm voluntarily recalls a product, FSIS conducts recall 
effectiveness checks. In conducting recall effectiveness checks, if the 
recall is to the retail or consumer level, the Agency contacts the 
distributors and actual retail consignees to ensure that they were 
notified of the recall, to verify the amount of product they received, 
and to confirm that they are removing the product from commerce and 
returning it to the recalling firm or otherwise disposing of the 
product.
    FSIS has made the following estimates based upon an information 
collection assessment.
    Estimate of Burden: FSIS estimates that it will take an average of 
approximately one hour to collect and submit this information to FSIS.
    Respondents: Official establishments, importers of record, and 
retail consignees.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,060.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,100 hours.
    Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained 
from John O'Connell, Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety 
and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 3532 
South Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700; (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; and (d) 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 FSIS, at the 
addresses 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 ensure that 
minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are aware of this 
notice, FSIS will announce it on-line through the FSIS Web page located 
at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/2008_Notices_Index/.
    FSIS also will make copies of this Federal Register publication 
available through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide 
information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal 
Register notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information 
that could affect or would be of interest to constituents and 
stakeholders. The Update is communicated via Listserv, a free 
electronic mail subscription service for industry, trade groups, 
consumer interest groups, health professionals and other individuals 
who have asked to be included. The Update is available on the FSIS Web 
page. Through the Listserv and the Web page, FSIS is able to provide 
information to a much broader and more diverse audience.
    In addition, FSIS offers an e-mail subscription service which 
provides automatic and customized access to selected food safety news 
and information. This service is available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_and_events/email_subscription/. Options range from recalls to 
export information to regulations, directives and notices. Customers 
can add or delete subscriptions themselves and have the option to 
password protect their account.

    Done at Washington, DC, on October 17, 2008.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E8-25397 Filed 10-23-08; 8:45 am]
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