[Federal Register: November 3, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 212)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 62228]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03no03-8]
[[Page 62228]]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
9 CFR Parts 319 and 381
[Docket No. 01-032N]
Approving Ingredients Used in the Production of Meat and Poultry
Products: Use of Any Safe and Suitable Binder or Antimicrobial Agent in
Meat and Poultry Products With Standards of Identity or Composition
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Affirmation of effective date for direct final rule.
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SUMMARY: On April 29, 2003, the Food Safety and Inspection Service
(FSIS) published a direct final rule ``Approving Ingredients Used in
the Production of Meat and Poultry Products: Use of Any Safe and
Suitable Binder or Antimicrobial Agent in Meat and Poultry Products
with Standards of Identity or Composition'' in the Federal Register.
This direct final rule amended the Federal meat and poultry products
inspection regulations to permit the use of any safe and suitable
binder or antimicrobial agent in the production of meat and poultry
products that are subject to a standard of identity or composition that
provides for the use of such ingredients.
EFFECTIVE DATE: June 30, 2003.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Post, Director, Labeling and
Consumer Protection Staff, Office of Policy and Program Development,
Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Washington, DC 20250-3700; (202) 205-0279.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
FSIS published a direct final rule, ``Approving Ingredients Used in
the Production of Meat and Poultry Products: Use of Any Safe and
Suitable Binder or Antimicrobial Agent in Meat and Poultry Products
with Standards of Identity or Composition'' (68 FR 22576, 4/29/03).
This direct final rule amended the Federal meat and poultry products
inspection regulations by permitting the use of any safe and suitable
binder or antimicrobial agent in the production of meat and poultry
products that are subject to a standard of identity or composition that
provides for the use of such ingredients. The use of these ingredients
must be consistent with any limitations or conditions of use prescribed
in applicable FSIS or Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.
On December 23, 1999, FSIS published in the Federal Register, a final
rule entitled, ``Food Ingredients and Sources of Radiation Listed or
Approved for Use in the Production of Meat and Poultry Products.'' The
final rule provided a comprehensive background regarding the status of
food ingredients and sources of radiation currently listed in titles 9
and 21 of the CFR, and explained the process by which FDA and FSIS
would be working together regarding future requests for approvals of
ingredients to be used in meat and poultry products, which are under
USDA jurisdiction.
After publishing that rule, the two agencies entered into a
memorandum of understanding that outlines the responsibilities of each
Agency during the joint review of new ingredients or new uses of
previously approved ingredients. Under the Federal Food, Drug and
Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), FDA has the responsibility for determining the
safety of ingredients. FSIS has authority under the Federal Meat
Inspection Act (FMIA) and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) to
determine whether new ingredients, or new uses of previously approved
ingredients, are suitable for their intended use in meat and poultry
products.
FSIS received no comments in response to the direct final rule
published on April 29, 2003. Therefore, the amendments to the
regulations will be effective on June 30, 2003.
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 at Washington, DC, on October 29, 2003.
Garry L. McKee,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-27591 Filed 10-31-03; 8:45 am]
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