[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8399-8401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-02417]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. FSIS-2024-0001]
Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection:
Mechanically Tenderized Beef Products
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), 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 renew an approved information collection regarding the
labeling requirements for mechanically tenderized beef products. There
are no changes to the existing information collection. The approval for
this information collection will expire on June 30, 2024.
DATES: Submit comments on or before April 8, 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
[[Page 8400]]
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-2024-0001. 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: Mechanically Tenderized Beef Products.
OMB Number: 0583-0160.
Type of Request: Renewal of an 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.), 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, and properly labeled.
FSIS is requesting renewal of an approved information collection
regarding the labeling requirements for mechanically tenderized beef
products. There are no changes to the existing information collection.
The approval for this information collection will expire on June 30,
2024.
FSIS regulations 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 these products are to be
fully cooked at an official establishment. The Agency also requires
that the product name for the beef products include the descriptive
designation ``mechanically tenderized'' and an accurate description of
the beef component (9 CFR 317.2(e)(3)). Establishments that use these
labels on products do not have to submit them to FSIS for approval
prior to use if the labels comply with the provisions for generic
approval in 9 CFR 412.2. Retail facilities that use these labels on
products do not have to submit them to FSIS for approval prior to use.
FSIS has made the following estimates based upon an information
collection assessment:
Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection
of information is estimated to average .5833 hours per response.
Estimated annual number of respondents: 555.
Estimated average number of responses per respondent: 60.908.
Estimated annual number of responses: 33,804.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 19,719 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; 202-720-5046.
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
[[Page 8401]]
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. 2024-02417 Filed 2-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P