[Federal Register: August 22, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 163)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 50687-50688]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22au03-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
9 CFR Part 430
[Docket No. 03-029N]
Listeria Monocytogenes Workshops for Small and Very Small Plants
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of workshops.
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[[Page 50688]]
SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing
that it will hold five workshops from September through October, 2003,
to discuss the upcoming implementation of the interim final rule,
``Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry
Products,'' (68 FR 34208), which is effective on October 6, 2003. The
provisions of the rule require official establishments that produce
certain ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products to prevent product
adulteration by the pathogenic environmental contaminant Listeria
monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes).
The focus of the upcoming workshops will be on how small and very
small plants can comply with the new regulations. Key elements of the
implementation of the final rule will be addressed, and there will be
an opportunity to ask questions and seek additional information. FSIS
has held similar workshops in the past for small and very small plants
as a means of helping such plants, which may have fewer resources than
large plants, to comply with FSIS requirements.
DATES: The workshops will be held on September 13, 20, and October 4,
2003.
ADDRESSES: On September 13, workshops will be held in Raleigh, North
Carolina and Bridgeport, Connecticut; on September 20, a workshop will
be held in Kansas City, Kansas; and on October 4, workshops will be
held in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Oakland, California. (Additional
information will be provided at a later date.)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pre-registration for the workshops is
suggested. To register, please contact Ms. Sheila Johnson of the FSIS
Strategic Initiatives, Partnership and Outreach Staff at (202) 690-
6498, fax: (202) 690-6500, or e-mail: Sheila.Johnson@fsis.usda.gov <mailto:Sheila.Johnson@fsis.usda.gov>. For
technical information, please contact Michaelle Fisher at (401) 221-
7400, or email: michaelle.fisher@fsis.usda.gov <mailto:michaelle.fisher@fsis.usda.gov>. If a sign language
interpreter or other special accommodations are required, please
contact Ms. Sheila Johnson, no later than September 5.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 6, 2003, FSIS published an interim
final rule, ``Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Meat
and Poultry Products,'' (68 FR 34208), which will become effective
October 6, 2003. The rule establishes regulations that require official
establishments that produce RTE meat and poultry products to prevent
product adulteration by the pathogenic environmental contaminant L.
monocytogenes. Under the new regulations, all establishments that
produce RTE meat and poultry products that are exposed to the
environment after lethality treatments and that support the growth of
L. monocytogenes are to have controls that prevent product adulteration
by L. monocytogenes in their hazard analysis and critical control point
(HACCP) plans, in their sanitation standard operating procedures, or in
prerequisite programs. Establishments are also required to maintain and
share with FSIS data and information relevant to their controls for L.
monocytogenes. Additionally, the new regulations permit an
establishment to make claims on the labels of the RTE products
regarding the processes used to eliminate or reduce L. monocytogenes or
suppress or limit its growth in the products.
The workshops are designed to provide an overview of the final rule
to owners and managers of small and very small Federal and State
establishments. In addition, the workshops will give all stakeholders a
more in-depth understanding of the three compliance alternatives, the
sampling provisions, recordkeeping requirements, the use of labeling
claims, how to comply with the validation provisions of the
regulations, and how to prepare supporting documentation for their
hazard analyses. The meeting will also provide the opportunity to
discuss additional ways of ensuring that small and very small plants
receive the assistance they need to successfully respond to the final
rule.
Additional Public Notification
Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy
development is important. Consequently, in an effort to better ensure
that minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are aware of this
notice, FSIS will announce it and make copies of this Federal Register
publication available through the FSIS Constituent Update. FSIS
provides a weekly Constituent Update, which is communicated via
Listserv, a free e-mail subscription service. In addition, the update
is available on-line through the FSIS Web page located at http://www.fsis.usda.gov <http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.fsis.usda.gov>.
The update is used to provide information regarding
FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal Register notices, FSIS
public meetings, recalls, and any other types of information that could
affect or would be of interest to our constituents/stakeholders. The
constituent Listserv consists of industry, trade, and farm groups,
consumer interest groups, allied health professionals, scientific
professionals, and other individuals that have requested to be
included. Through the Listserv and Web page, FSIS is able to provide
information to a much broader, more diverse audience.
For more information contact the Congressional and Public Affairs
Office, at (202) 720-9113. To be added to the free e-mail subscription
service (Listserv) go to the ``Constituent Update'' page on the FSIS
Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/update/update.htm <http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/update/update.htm>. Click on the
``Subscribe to the Constituent Update Listserv'' link, then fill out
and submit the form.
Done in Washington, DC on August 18, 2003.
Garry L. McKee,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-21483 Filed 8-21-03; 8:45 am]
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