[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 30, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78388-78390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30478]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2014-0035]


Notice of Request for a Renewal Information Collection (Marking, 
Labeling and Packaging)

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 renew a 
currently approved information collection regarding the regulatory 
requirements for marking, labeling, and packaging of meat, poultry, and 
egg products and for establishments that produce mechanically separated 
poultry. This approval covers the labeling approval process whereby 
establishments are to submit their labels to FSIS for approval or 
maintain files related to generic labeling. This package also covers 
the recordkeeping burden for packaging material letters of guarantee 
for safety. Lastly, this package contains the recordkeeping burden 
imposed on establishments that produce mechanically separated poultry. 
There are no changes to the existing information collection.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before March 2, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this 
notice. Comments may be submitted by 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 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, 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 8-164, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2013-0035. 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 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 Additional Information: Contact Gina Kouba, Paperwork Reduction 
Act Coordinator, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Room 6077 South Building, Washington, DC 
20250, (202) 690-6510.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Marking, Labeling, and Packaging.
    OMB Number: 0583-0092.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 03/31/2015.
    Type of Request: Renewal of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the 
functions of the Secretary (7 CFR 2.18, 2.53) as specified in the 
Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601, et seq.), the 
Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451, et seq.), and 
the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA) (21 U.S.C. 1031, et seq.). FSIS 
protects the public by verifying that meat, poultry, and egg products 
are safe, wholesome,

[[Page 78389]]

not adulterated, and correctly labeled and packaged.
    FSIS is requesting a renewal of an approved information collection 
addressing paperwork requirements specified in the regulations related 
to marking, labeling, and packaging of meat, poultry, and egg products 
and to establishments that produce mechanically separated poultry.
    To control the manufacture of marking devices bearing official 
marks, FSIS requires official meat and poultry establishments and the 
manufacturers of such devices to submit an Authorization Certificate to 
the Agency (FSIS Form 5200-7). Such certification is necessary to help 
prevent the manufacture and use of counterfeit marks of inspection (9 
CFR 312.1, 317.3, 381.96 & 381.131).
    Meat and poultry establishments and egg products plants must 
develop labels in accordance with FSIS regulations (9 CFR 317.1, 
381.115, & 590.410). To receive approval for such labels, 
establishments must complete a form (``Application for Approval of 
Labels, Marking or Device,'' FSIS Form 7234-1). Respondents also must 
submit duplicate copies of the labels when submitting the applications 
by paper. Establishments may also submit labels through the Label 
Submission and Approval System or LSAS. LSAS is an Internet-based 
application that allows respondents to gain label approval through a 
secure Web site. The establishment must maintain a copy of all the 
labeling used, along with product formulation and processing procedures 
(9 CFR 320.1(b)(11) and 381.175(b)(6)). Additionally, establishments 
requesting reconsideration of a label application that the Agency has 
modified or rejected must use the``Request for Label Reconsideration,'' 
FSIS Form 8822-4.
    Labels that FSIS approved but change for such reasons as, holiday 
season designs, addition or deletion of coupons, UPC production codes, 
or recipe suggestions; newly assigned or revised establishment numbers; 
changes in the arrangement or language of directions for opening 
containers or serving the product; or the substitution of abbreviations 
for words or vice versa, do not need additional FSIS approval (9 CFR 
317.5). Establishments must keep a copy of the labeling used, along 
with the product formulation and processing procedures on file.
    FSIS has made the following estimates based upon an information 
collection assessment:
    Estimate of Burden: FSIS estimates that it will take respondents an 
average of 4 minutes per response related to marking; 75 minutes per 
response related to labeling applications and recordkeeping; 120 
minutes per response related to labeling reconsideration requests; 15 
minutes per response related to generically approved labeling 
recordkeeping; 2 minutes per response related to packaging materials 
recordkeeping; and 5 minutes per response related to mechanically 
separated poultry recordkeeping.
    Respondents: Official meat and poultry establishments, official egg 
plants, and foreign establishments.
    Estimated No. of Respondents: 5,736 related to marking; 3,682 
related to labeling applications and recordkeeping; 74 related to 
labeling reconsideration requests; 6,333 related to generically 
approved labeling recordkeeping; 5,735 related to packaging materials 
recordkeeping; and 82 related to mechanically separated poultry 
recordkeeping.
    Estimated No. of Annual Responses per Respondent: 1 related to 
marking; 20 related to labeling applications and recordkeeping; 2 
related to labeling reconsideration requests; 20 related to generically 
approved labeling recordkeeping; 2 related to packaging materials 
recordkeeping; and 455 related to mechanically separated poultry 
recordkeeping.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 128,267 hours.
    Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained 
from Gina Kouba, Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence SW., Room 6077, South 
Building, Washington, DC 20250, (202) 690-6510.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS's 
functions, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of FSIS's 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, 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.
    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

    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.
    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.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

    No agency, officer, or employee of the USDA shall, on the grounds 
of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual 
orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, 
income derived from a public assistance program, or political beliefs, 
exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to 
discrimination any person in the United States under any program or 
activity conducted by the USDA.

How To File a Complaint of Discrimination

    To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program 
Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you or your 
authorized representative.
    Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, 
or email: Mail, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of 
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW.,

[[Page 78390]]

Washington, DC 20250-9410; Fax, (202) 690-7442; Email, 
[email protected].
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should contact 
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

    Done at Washington, DC on: December 23, 2014.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014-30478 Filed 12-29-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P