Nutrition Labeling of Ground Beef and Hamburger

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 317

[Docket No. 93-030E]

RIN 0583-AB74

Nutrition Labeling of Ground Beef and Hamburger

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On May 24, 1994, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

published a proposed rule (59 FR 26916) to amend the Federal meat

inspection regulations by permitting percentage labeling for lean and

fat on ground beef and hamburger, provided such product labeling

contains nutrition information. FSIS has received a request to extend

the comment period on the proposed rule so that additional data and

information can be provided. FSIS has determined that the request

should be granted and, therefore, is extending the comment period on

the proposed rule for 45 days. FSIS is continuing to evaluate the

effect that this extension will have on issues such as the survey for

significant participation for voluntary nutrition labeling and the

approval of labeling for ground beef and hamburger pending the outcome

of this rulemaking.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 22, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments in triplicate to: Diane Moore,

Docket Clerk, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of

Agriculture, Room 3171-S, Washington, DC 20250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Charles R. Edwards, Director, Product Assessment Division,

Regulatory Programs, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S.

Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250, (202) 254-2565.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 24, 1994, FSIS published in the

Federal Register a proposed rule (59 FR 26916) to amend the Federal

meat inspection regulations by permitting percentage labeling for lean

and fat on ground beef and hamburger, provided such product labeling

contains nutrition information. The proposed rule would provide

increased flexibility in the labeling of ground beef and hamburger, and

would also allow consumers to readily identify and differentiate

between the varying lean/fat percentages of these products.

Interested persons were given until July 8, 1994, in which to

comment on the proposed rule. FSIS has received a request from a

consumer interest group to extend the comment period on the proposed

rule to allow additional time for consumer survey data to be gathered

and submitted. FSIS noted in its proposed rule on percentage labeling

for lean/fat on ground beef and hamburger (59 FR 26916) that it had not

assessed whether multiple uses of the term ``percent lean'' might

result in consumer misunderstanding that would limit informed consumer

choice. The consumer survey will provide information on consumer

perceptions of the terms ``lean,'' ``extra lean,'' ``percent lean,''

``reduced fat,'' and ``percent daily value.'' FSIS is interested in

receiving such data to assist in its efforts to develop comprehensive

nutrition labeling regulations that will help consumers make informed

purchasing decisions. FSIS believes that it would be a disservice to

consumers and industry for FSIS to deny an opportunity for further

input into a decision on the labeling of ground beef and hamburger.

Therefore, FSIS is extending the comment period on the proposed rule

for 45 days so that any labeling decision resulting from its proposed

rule reflects the greatest amount of data and information available on

this important issue. FSIS is continuing to evaluate the effect that

this extension will have on issues such as the survey for significant

participation for voluntary nutrition labeling and the approval of

labeling for ground beef and hamburger pending the outcome of this

rulemaking.

Done at Washington, DC, on: June 27, 1994.

William J. Hudnall,

Acting Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 94-16108 Filed 7-1-94; 8:45 am]

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