[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 154 (Friday, August 9, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48631-48632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19322]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 317

[Docket No. FSIS-2008-0017]


Descriptive Designation for Needle- or Blade-Tenderized 
(Mechanically Tenderized) Beef Products

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is extending the 
comment period for the Federal Register proposed rule, ``Descriptive 
Designation for Needle- or blade-tenderized (Mechanically Tenderized) 
Beef Products'' until October 8, 2013. The Agency is taking this action 
in response to two requests made by trade associations.

DATES: Comments are due by October 8, 2013.

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 on-line instructions at that site for 
submitting comments.
    Mail, including CD-ROMs: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop 3782, Room 8-163B, Washington, DC 
20250-3700.
    Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to Patriots Plaza 3, 
355 E Street SW., Room 8-163B, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2007-0017. 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 to comments received, 
go to the FSIS Docket Room at Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E Street SW., Room 
8-164, Washington, DC 20250-3700 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Edelstein, Assistant 
Administrator, Office of Policy and Program Development, Telephone: 
(202) 205-0495, or by Fax: (202) 720-2025.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 10, 2013, FSIS published a proposed 
rule in the Federal Register (78 FR 34589), ``Descriptive Designation 
for Needle- or blade-tenderized (Mechanically Tenderized) Beef 
Products.''
    In the rule, FSIS is proposing to require the use of the 
descriptive designation ``mechanically tenderized'' on the labels of 
raw or partially cooked needle- or blade-tenderized beef products, 
including beef products injected with marinade or solution, unless such 
products are destined to be fully cooked at an official establishment. 
FSIS is proposing that the product name for such beef products include 
the descriptive designation ``mechanically tenderized'' and an accurate 
description of the beef component. FSIS is also proposing to require 
that the print for all words in the product name appear in the same 
style, color, and size and on a single-color contrasting background. In 
addition, FSIS is proposing to require that labels of raw and partially 
cooked needle- or blade-tenderized beef products destined for household 
consumers, hotels, restaurants, or similar institutions include 
validated cooking instructions that inform consumers that these 
products need to be cooked to a specified minimum internal temperature, 
and whether they need to be held at that minimum temperature for a 
specified time before consumption, i.e., dwell time or rest time, to 
ensure that they are fully cooked.
    FSIS is also announcing that it has posted on its Web site guidance 
for developing validated cooking instructions for mechanically 
tenderized product.
    Two trade associations addressed letters to FSIS requesting an 
additional 120 days to comment on the proposed rule and the guidance 
for validated cooking instructions. Both letters stated that additional 
time was needed to submit comprehensive comments because the Agency had 
asked for comment on not only the proposed rule and the guidance but 
also on numerous related issues.
    For the reason given in these requests, FSIS agrees to extend the 
comment period. The Agency believes that an additional 60-day extension 
is sufficient. The comment period for the proposed rule will now end on 
October 8, 2013.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination 
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, 
national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, 
sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited 
bases apply to all programs.)
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, 
etc.) should contact USDA's Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and 
TTY).
    To file a written complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office 
of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TTY). 
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Additional Public Notification

    FSIS will announce this notice online through the FSIS Web page 
located at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulations/federal-register/federal-register-notices.
    FSIS will also 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 also available on the FSIS 
Web page. In addition, FSIS offers an electronic 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/wps/portal/fsis/programs-and-services/email-subscription-service. 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 
accounts.


[[Page 48632]]


    Done at Washington, DC, on: August 2, 2013.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2013-19322 Filed 8-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P