[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 240 (Friday, December 15, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 86874-86877]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27602]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2023-0027]


Notice of Request for a New Information Collection: Web-Based 
Surveys

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 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, FSIS is announcing 
its intention to collect information using web surveys to test new 
labels for safe handling of raw and partially cooked meat and poultry 
products. This is a new information collection with 3,550 hours.

DATES: Submit comments on or before February 13, 2024.

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-2023-0027. 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 202-720-5046 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; 202-720-5046.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Consumer Labeling Research Web-based Surveys.
    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.
    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 40209).
    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

[[Page 86875]]

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).
    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 do this FSIS will take into 
consideration recent research via a literature review and input from 
key stakeholders and experts via listening sessions.
    In December 2022 and January 2023, through a contractor, FSIS 
conducted listening sessions 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 were used for 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 are 
being 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 accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, FSIS 
published a 60-day notice (88 FR 30713 May 12, 2023) and a 30-day 
notice requesting comments regarding this information collection 
request (88 FR 65359 September 22, 2023). The Agency received no 
comments, and the information collection request is currently being 
reviewed by OMB.
    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 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 in experimental test kitchens 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 2, consumer web-based surveys. Phase 2 is a new 
information collection with 3,550 hours. FSIS plans to submit an 
additional information collection request for approval of Phase 3, the 
observation studies.
    FSIS has contracted with RTI International to conduct the Phase 2 
web-based surveys. FSIS will use the exploratory web survey to refine 
the labeling format, layout, design features (e.g., icons, colors), and 
messaging and to collect other information such as awareness of the 
current SHI and risk perceptions of contracting foodborne illness. The 
exploratory survey will be important for testing and refining the 
labels for understanding, readability, visual receptivity, and 
perceived effectiveness.
    The experimental survey will use a limited time exposure (LTE) 
experiment to measure label saliency (i.e., noticeability) and identify 
the top performing labels. Respondents will be randomly assigned to 1 
of 10 conditions (up to 9 test labels and the current SHI label). A 
mock meat or poultry product bearing the assigned label will be briefly 
displayed on the screen (e.g., 20 seconds), and respondents will be 
asked to recall whether specific text or images were present on the 
label. Using statistical analysis, we can determine the relative 
saliency of the labels tested. Additionally, we will ask a series of 
questions to measure other outcomes, such as whether the labels 
provided new information, induced thinking about the risks of 
contracting foodborne illness, and changed food safety-related beliefs.
    To administer the surveys, RTI will partner with Kantar's 
Lightspeed Global Market Insite Panel, an opt-in panel. RTI will use 
quotas to ensure that the survey respondents mirror the demographics of 
the U.S. population (e.g., age, education level, race, ethnicity) based 
on the most recent Census data. Kantar will conduct a pilot for each 
survey, 50 respondents for the exploratory survey and 100 respondents 
for the experimental survey. For the full-scale survey, Kantar will 
select samples that are sufficient to yield 1,000 respondents for the 
exploratory survey and 2,400 respondents for the experimental survey.
    Kantar will conduct a separate set of cognitive interviews for the 
survey instruments for the exploratory and experimental surveys. Up to 
nine cognitive interviews will be conducted to evaluate and refine each 
survey instrument before receiving OMB approval. After receiving OMB 
approval, Kantar will conduct separate pilot studies for the 
exploratory and web-based surveys to ensure that the programming logic 
for the online survey is correct before the full-scale study is 
implemented.
    Estimate of Burden: For the pilot for the exploratory survey, it is 
expected that 1,000 panel members selected by Kantar will receive email 
invitations and that 50 of the eligible panel members will subsequently 
complete the questionnaire. For the full-scale study, it is expected 
that 20,000 panel members selected by Kantar will receive email 
invitations and that 1,000 of the eligible panel members will 
subsequently complete the questionnaire. The email invitations for the 
pilot and full-scale study are expected to take 2 minutes to read. The

[[Page 86876]]

exploratory survey is expected to take 20 minutes to complete.
    For the pilot for the experimental survey, it is expected that 
2,000 panel members selected by Kantar will receive email invitations 
and that 100 of the eligible panel members will subsequently complete 
the questionnaire. For the full-scale study, it is expected that 48,000 
panel members selected by Kantar will receive email invitations and 
that 2,400 of the eligible panel members will subsequently complete the 
questionnaire. The email invitations for the pilot and the full-scale 
study are expected to take 2 minutes to read. The exploratory survey is 
expected to take 20 minutes to complete.
    The total estimated burden of the web-based surveys are 3,550 hours 
(1,050.00 hours for the exploratory survey and 2,500 hours for the 
experimental survey).

                                              Estimated Annual Reporting Burden for the Exploratory Survey
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                                                                      Responses                                 Non-responses
                                 Sample             ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    Total
       Study component            size       Freq                 Freq X                Burden                Freq X                Burden      burden
                                                       Count      count    Min/ resp    hours      Count      count    Min/ resp    hours       hours
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Pilot:                         .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  ...........
    Email invitation.........      1,000          1         50         50          2       1.67        950        950          2      31.67        33.34
    Questionnaire............         50          1     \a\ 50         50         20      16.67          0          0          0          0        16.67
Full-Scale:                    .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  ...........
    Email invitation.........     20,000          1      1,000      1,000          2      33.33     19,000     19,000          2     633.33       666.66
    Questionnaire............      1,000          1  \a\ 1,000      1,000         20     333.33          0          0          0          0       333.33
        Total Burden hours...  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........     1,050.00
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\a\ A subset of the people who received the invitation.


                                              Estimated Annual Reporting Burden for the Experimental Survey
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Responses                                 Non-responses
                                 Sample             ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    Total
       Study component            size       Freq                 Freq X                Burden                Freq X                Burden      burden
                                                       Count      count    Min/ resp    hours      Count      count    Min/ resp    hours       hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pilot:                         .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  ...........
    Email invitation.........      2,000          1        100        100          2       3.33      1,900      1,900          2      63.33        66.66
    Questionnaire............        100          1    \a\ 100        100         20      33.33          0          0          0          0        33.33
    Full-Scale:..............  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  ...........
    Email invitation.........     48,000          1      2,400      2,400          2      80.00     45,600     45,600          2      1,520        1,600
    Questionnaire............      2,400          1  \a\ 2,400      2,400         20     800.00          0          0          0          0          800
        Total Burden hours...  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........  .........     2,499.99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ A subset of the people who received the invitation.

    Respondents: Consumers.
    Estimated No. of Respondents: 3,550.
    Estimated No. of Annual Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Burden: 3,550 hours.
    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,

[[Page 86877]]

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.usda.gov/forms/electronic-forms, 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. 2023-27602 Filed 12-14-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P