Procedures for Appealing Product Retentions

SUMMARY: On February 14, 1994, the Food Safety and Inspection Service

(FSIS) published a proposed rule to amend the Federal meat and poultry

products inspection regulations to require appeals above the circuit

supervisor level that are related to disposition of retained meat and

poultry product to be made in writing; provide that an establishment

has 20 calendar days to appeal a retention, recondition or rework

product, or properly dispose of the product; and establish procedures

to ensure appropriate disposition of product immediately after a

decision has been reached on an appeal. The proposal also would allow

establishments to accumulate retained product for the purpose of

reexamination with specialized detecting equipment provided written

procedures for such activity are approved by the Regional Director.

The comment period closed on March 16, 1994. FSIS has received

requests to reopen the comment period so that additional information

may be provided to FSIS. FSIS is granting these requests and reopening

the comment period for an additional 30 days.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before: May 31, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Written comments to Policy Office, ATTN: Diane Moore, FSIS

Hearing Clerk, room 3171, South Agriculture Building, Food Safety and

Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC

20250. Oral comment as provided under the Poultry Products Inspection

Act to Robert D. Murphy, (202) 720-3491.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert D. Murphy, Director, Processing

Operations Staff, Inspection Management Program, Inspection Operations,

Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,

Washington, DC 20250, (202) 720-3491.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 14, 1994, FSIS published a

proposed rule (59 FR 6929) to amend the Federal meat and poultry

products inspection regulations to:

(1) Require establishments to submit written appeals above the

circuit supervisor's level when the appeal relates to disposition of

retained meat or poultry product,

(2) Provide that an establishment has 20 calendar days to:

(a) Appeal a retention,

(b) Recondition or rework product, or

(c) Properly dispose of the product, and

(3) Establish procedures to ensure appropriate disposition of

product immediately after a decision has been reached on an appeal.

FSIS has received requests to reopen the comment period so that

additional information can be gathered and submitted to FSIS. FSIS is

interested in receiving additional information and is, therefore,

reopening the comment period for an additional 30 days.

Done at Washington, DC, on: April 20, 1994.

Terry L. Medley,

Acting Administrator.

[FR Doc. 94-10083 Filed 4-26-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-DM-M