Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems: Extension of Comment Period

SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is extending the

comment period for its February 3, 1995, proposal titled ``Pathogen

Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)

Systems'' (60 FR 6774). FSIS has received several requests to extend

the comment period. FSIS believes there is merit to some of the

requests and, therefore, is extending the comment period for 30 days.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 5, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to: Diane Moore, FSIS Docket

Clerk, Room 4352, South Agriculture Building, Food Safety and

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

20250. Oral comments, as provided by the Poultry Products Inspection

Act, should be directed to the appropriate person listed in the

proposed rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judith A. Segal, Director, Policy,

Evaluation and Planning Staff, Food Safety and Inspection Service,

USDA, (202) 720-7773.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 3, 1995, FSIS published a

proposed rule, ``Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical

Control Point (HACCP) Systems'' (60 FR 6774). In that document, the

Agency proposed a number of regulatory changes applicable to Federal-

and State-inspected meat and poultry establishments. The proposed

changes are designed to reduce the occurrence and numbers of pathogenic

microorganisms in meat and poultry products as well as control other

hazards, thereby reducing the incidence of foodborne illness associated

with the consumption of these products.

FSIS has received several requests to extend the comment period.

These requests state that additional time is needed to permit the

drafting of meaningful, well-considered comments on the Agency's far-

reaching proposals, which take into account the new information and

understanding growing out of the public hearing, scientific/technical

conferences and public information briefings FSIS has conducted during

the comment period. Also, extending the comment period will provide

individuals, organizations, States, and foreign countries a better

opportunity to respond to issues raised in others' comments received

orally or in writing.

FSIS continues to believe that there is an important public health

need to complete this rulemaking promptly. The complexity and

importance of this rulemaking also require, however, that FSIS provide

every reasonable opportunity for persons to provide meaningful

comments, which it needs to develop sound and effective final rules.

Therefore, the Agency has decided to extend the comment period for 30

days, to July 5, 1995.

FSIS also intends to convene a two-day public meeting, four to six

weeks after the close of the comment period, to permit further public

discussion, during the Agency's decisionmaking process, based on issues

raised in the administrative record developed during the comment

period. The Agency will provide notice in the Federal Register of the

dates, times, location, and topics for the meeting.

Done at Washington, DC, on May 26, 1995.

Michael R. Taylor,

Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety.

[FR Doc. 95-13387 Filed 5-31-95; 8:45 am]

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