[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 92 (Friday, May 12, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30713-30715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-10145]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2023-0012]


Notice of Request for a New Information Collection: Consumer 
Labeling Research: Focus Groups

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (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, FSIS is announcing 
its intention to collect information using focus groups to test new 
labels for safe handling of raw and partially cooked meat and poultry 
products. This is a new information collection with 247 hours.

DATES: Submit comments on or before July 11, 2023.

ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this 
Federal Register notice. Comments may be submitted by one of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides 
commenters the ability to type short comments directly into the comment 
field on the web page or to attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to 
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that 
site for submitting comments.
     Mail: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
     Hand- or Courier-Delivered Submittals: Deliver to 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 350-E, 
Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2023-0012. Comments 
received in response to this docket will be made available for public 
inspection and posted without change, including any personal 
information, to https://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, 
call (202) 937-4272 to schedule a time to visit the FSIS Docket Room at 
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gina Kouba, Office of Policy and 
Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, South Building, Washington, DC 
20250-3700; (202) 937-4272.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Consumer Labeling Research Focus Groups.
    OMB Number: 0583-NEW.
    Type of Request: Request for a new information collection.
    Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the 
functions of the Secretary (7 CFR 2.18 and 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.). These 
statutes mandate that FSIS protect the public by verifying that meat, 
poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled and 
packaged.
    Safe handling instructions (SHI) are required on the labels of raw 
or partially cooked (i.e., not considered ready to eat) meat and 
poultry products if the product is destined for household consumers or 
institutional uses (9 CFR 317.2(l) and 9 CFR 381.125(b)). FSIS has 
required the SHI label for raw and partially cooked meat and poultry 
products since 1994 (59 FR 7217).
    In response to inquiries from consumer groups and other 
stakeholders about potential changes to SHI requirements, FSIS gathered 
input from members of academia, industry, and consumer stakeholders 
concerning the label in November 2013. FSIS presented the results of 
the input in the form of suggestions to the National Advisory Committee 
on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) in January 2014. The NACMPI 
Subcommittee on Food Handling Labels recommended that FSIS pursue 
changes in the existing SHI label and conduct consumer research to 
determine the effectiveness of any revisions to the SHI label.
    In 2015, FSIS conducted six consumer focus groups (OMB No. 0583-
0166; 11/30/2017) to evaluate understanding of the current SHI label 
and responses to possible revisions. The results from the focus groups 
suggested that consumers would find certain revisions to the SHI label 
useful. Participants recommended changes to improve consumer 
comprehension and adherence to recommended safe handling practices 
(e.g., add recommendations to use a food thermometer and endpoint 
temperatures for different cuts of meat and poultry). Based on the 
results of these focus groups, FSIS determined that additional research 
using more rigorous, quantitative approaches with a larger sample of 
consumers was needed. FSIS also surmised this research would help 
inform potential revisions to the current SHI label and assess whether 
a label revision would improve consumer food safety behaviors.
    In 2020, FSIS completed a study that comprised a web-based 
experimental survey and an experimental behavior change study that 
included meal preparation in a test kitchen environment, eye tracking, 
and in-depth interviews to design and evaluate potential revised SHI 
labels (OMB No. 0583-0177; 4/30/2022). For this study, FSIS created new 
labels based on recommendations from NACMPI, which focused on updating 
the existing text and icons in the current SHI label and adding 
information on recommended internal minimum temperatures for different 
cuts of meat and poultry. This study found that the three labels tested 
did not perform better than the current SHI label with regard to visual 
saliency (i.e., noticeability) and behavior change for the safe 
handling practices displayed on the label (e.g., using a food 
thermometer or washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and 
then drying) (final report available at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/2022-02/SHI_Behavior_Change_Study%20Final%20Report_9_23_20.pdf).

[[Page 30714]]

    Consumer groups and other stakeholders have continued to advocate 
for improved labeling for raw and partially cooked meat and poultry 
products. In response, FSIS is pursuing research to create and assess 
consumer responses to new labeling not included in previous studies. 
FSIS plans to start with a ``blank slate'' (i.e., freely develop the 
label with no restrictions, ideas, or characteristics instead of simply 
revising the current SHI label). To inform label creation for the 
current study, FSIS recently worked with a contractor to conduct 
listening sessions and a literature review.
    In December 2022 and January 2023, listening sessions were 
conducted with consumer groups; representatives from the meat and 
poultry industry; and experts in health communications, food science, 
and food safety education to collect information on factors to consider 
when creating new labeling for raw and partially cooked meat and 
poultry products. Additionally, a literature review was conducted to 
identify and summarize best practices for label design for attracting 
attention and motivating behavior change and recommendations for label 
design based on human factors research. The findings from the listening 
sessions and literature review will be used in the current study to 
create new labels for safe handling of raw and partially cooked meat 
and poultry products.
    FSIS plans to use an iterative approach with multiple rounds of 
consumer research to obtain feedback on the new label designs and make 
refinements during the study. In Phase 1, the new label designs will 
initially be tested in consumer focus groups to obtain qualitative 
feedback on the labels, and the findings will be used to refine the 
label design and messaging. In Phase 2, the revised label designs will 
be tested in an exploratory web survey, and the quantitative findings 
from this survey will be used to revise and prepare the final labels 
for testing in a web-based experimental survey to identify the top 
three performing labels based on the outcomes of interest, such as 
noticeability, changed food safety-related beliefs, and induced 
thinking about the risks of contracting foodborne illness. In Phase 3, 
an observation study will be conducted to obtain empirical evidence on 
the label design that is most effective at encouraging consumers to 
follow recommended safe handling practices for raw and partially cooked 
meat and poultry products and will include the use of eye tracking to 
measure visual saliency for the new labels compared with the control, 
the current SHI label.
    FSIS is requesting approval for a new information collection to 
conduct Phase 1, consumer focus groups. Phase 1 is a new information 
collection with 247 hours. As each round of consumer labeling research 
becomes available, FSIS plans to submit additional information 
collection requests for approval.
    FSIS will use the focus groups to test the new labels and obtain 
qualitative feedback for refining the label design and messaging. FSIS 
has contracted with RTI International to conduct the phase 1 focus 
group study. A total of 12 focus groups will be conducted: three focus 
groups in four different locations (Northeast, South Atlantic, West 
South Central, and West). To provide homogeneity, the focus groups will 
be segmented by the populations of interest: Spanish-speaking 
individuals, individuals with limited literacy, individuals with 
limited cooking experience (i.e., new cooks), parents or guardians of 
young children (<=5 years of age), older adults (>=65 years of age), 
and individuals who are considered the ``sandwich generation'' (i.e., 
have responsibility for providing care for both children and older 
adults).
    A local market research company in each location will recruit 
potential participants from their databases and other sources. They 
will also provide the facilities for hosting the focus group 
discussions. Using convenience sampling, a nonprobability sampling 
technique where subjects are selected because of their convenient 
accessibility instead of random selection, the market research 
companies will recruit potential participants who meet the eligibility 
criteria as defined by the screening questionnaires.
    An experienced moderator will conduct the focus group discussions 
and use a moderator guide, which will serve as an outline and provide 
structure for the focus group discussions. Each focus group discussion 
will be professionally audio and video recorded, and the audio-
recordings will be transcribed. The moderators will review the video-
recordings and transcripts of the focus group discussions and prepare a 
detailed summary of each discussion. The moderators will then 
systematically analyze the detailed summaries to identify common themes 
and any exceptions to these themes. The contractor will summarize these 
findings in a final report to FSIS. No statistical analyses will be 
conducted.
    Estimate of Burden: For the 12 focus groups, it is expected that 
768 individuals will complete the screening questionnaire. It is 
estimated that 144 individuals will be eligible and agree to 
participate. Among the 144 individuals recruited for the focus group 
study, it is estimated that 96 will show up and participate in the 
focus group study (eight people per group). Each screening 
questionnaire is expected to take 8 minutes (0.133 hour). Taking part 
in the focus group discussion will take a total of 90 minutes (1.5 
hours). The estimated annual reporting burden is 246.14 hours, which is 
the sum of the burden estimates for the screening questionnaire and 
focus group discussion for respondents and nonrespondents.

                                                                   Estimated Annual Reporting Burden for the Focus Group Study
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                                                    Annual                            Respondents                                                Nonrespondents
                                        Sample    frequency  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Total
           Study component               size        per                   Freq x                                 Burden                Freq x                                Burden     hours
                                                   response     Count      Count            Hours/resp            hours      Count      count            Hours/resp           hours
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Screening question-naire............        768            1        144        144  0.133 (8 min.)............      19.15        624        624  0.133 (8 min.)...........      82.99     102.14
Focus group discussion..............        144            1         96         96  1.5 (90 min.).............     144.00         48         48  0........................          0     144.00
                                     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...........................  .........  ...........  .........  .........  ..........................     163.15  .........  .........  .........................      82.99     246.14
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    Respondents: Consumers.
    Estimated No. of Respondents: 768.
    Estimated No. of Annual Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Burden: 247 hours.

[[Page 30715]]

    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. Copies of this information collection assessment can be 
obtained from Gina Kouba, Office of Policy and Program Development, 
Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, 
Mailstop 3758, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700; (202) 937-
4272.
    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 method 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 (OMB), Washington, DC 20253.

Additional Public Notification

    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, FSIS will announce this Federal 
Register publication on-line through the FSIS web page located at: 
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.
    FSIS will also announce and provide a link to this Federal Register 
publication 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 our 
constituents and stakeholders. The Constituent Update is available on 
the FSIS web page. Through the web page, FSIS can provide information 
to a much broader, more diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an 
email subscription service which provides automatic and customized 
access to selected food safety news and information. This service is 
available at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe. Options range from 
recalls to export information, regulations, directives, and notices. 
Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves and have the 
option to password protect their accounts.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights 
regulations and policies, USDA, its Mission Areas, agencies, staff 
offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering 
USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, 
national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender 
expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, 
family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA 
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing 
deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Program information may be made available in languages other than 
English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large 
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the 
responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office; the USDA TARGET 
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY); or the Federal Relay Service 
at (800) 877-8339.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should 
complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, 
which can be obtained online at https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/ad-3027, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a 
letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's 
name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the 
alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the 
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date 
of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or 
letter must be submitted to USDA by:
    (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-9410;
    (2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
    (3) Email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Paul Kiecker,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2023-10145 Filed 5-11-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P