Public Meetings, Congressional Hearings, Calls for Comments
What's New
March 23, 2012
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (New)
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Electronic Export Application and Certification Charge; Flexibility in the Requirements for Export Inspection Marks, Devices, and Certificates; Egg Products Export Certification
ACTION: Proposed rule.
SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to amend the meat and poultry inspection regulations to provide for an electronic export application and certification system. The electronic export application and certification system will be a component of the Agency's Public Health Information System (PHIS). The export component of PHIS will be available as an alternative to the paper-based application and certification process. FSIS is proposing to charge users for the use of the proposed system. FSIS is proposing to establish a formula for calculating the fee. FSIS intends to publish notice of the fee, using the formula, in the Federal Register on an annual basis. FSIS is also proposing to provide flexibility in the requirements for official export inspection marks, devices, and certificates. In addition, FSIS is proposing to amend the egg product export regulations that parallel the meat and poultry product export regulations.
DATES: Submit comments on or before March 23, 2012.
ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this proposed rule. Comments may be submitted by either of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal:
Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions at that site for submitting comments. Mail, including floppy disks or CD-ROMs, and hand- or courier-delivered items: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), FSIS, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 8-163A, Mailstop 3782, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Ron Jones, Assistant Administrator, Office of International Affairs, FSIS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 3143, Washington, DC 20250-3700, (202) 720-3473.
Link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-23/html/2012-1158.htm
March 26, 2012
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (New)
Food and Nutrition Service
Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: This final rule updates the meal patterns and nutrition standards for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs to align them with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This rule requires most schools to increase the availability of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free and low-fat fluid milk in school meals; reduce the levels of sodium, saturated fat and trans fat in meals; and meet the nutrition needs of school children within their calorie requirements. These improvements to the school meal programs, largely based on recommendations made by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, are expected to enhance the diet and health of school children, and help mitigate the childhood obesity trend.
DATES: Effective date: This rule is effective March 26, 2012. Compliance date: Compliance with the provisions of this rule must begin July 1, 2012, except as otherwise noted on the implementation table provided in the preamble under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Wagoner or Marisol Aldahondo-Aponte, Policy and Program Development Branch, Child Nutrition Division, Food and Nutrition Service at (703) 305-2590.
Link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-26/html/2012-1010.htm
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (New)
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
Common Crop Insurance Regulations; Peach Crop Insurance Provisions
ACTION: Proposed rule.
SUMMARY: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) proposes to amend the Common Crop Insurance Regulations, Peach Crop Insurance Provisions. The intended effect of this action is to provide policy changes, to clarify existing policy provisions to better meet the needs of insured producers, and to reduce vulnerability to program fraud, waste, and abuse. The proposed changes will be effective for the 2013 and succeeding crop years.
DATES: Written comments and opinions on this proposed rule will be accepted until close of business March 26, 2012 and will be considered when the rule is to be made final.
ADDRESSES: FCIC prefers that comments be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. You may submit comments, identified by Docket ID No. FCIC-11-0011, by any of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Mail: Director, Product Administration and Standards Division, Risk Management Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 419205, Kansas City, MO 64141-6205. If you are submitting comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal and want to attach a document, we ask that it be in a text-based format. If you want to attach a document that is a scanned Adobe PDF file, it must be scanned as text and not as an image, thus allowing FCIC to search and copy certain portions of your submission. For questions regarding attaching a document that is a scanned Adobe PDF file, please contact the RMA Web Content Team at (816) 823-4694 or by email at: rmaweb.content@rma.usda.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Director, Product Administration and Standards Division, Risk Management Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, Beacon Facility, Stop 0812, Room 421, P.O. Box 419205, Kansas City, MO 64141-6205, telephone (816) 926-7730.
Link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-24/html/2012-1219.htm
News Releases/Reports/Directives
U.S. Plant Hardiness Zone Map, which represents the average annual extreme minimum temperatures at a given location during a particular time period, has been updated and released by the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) - The USDA Risk Management Agency "... uses the USDA plant hardiness zone designations to set some crop insurance standards. Scientists use the plant hardiness zones as a data layer in many research models such as modeling the spread of exotic weeds and insects ... American gardeners, as well as those who grow and breed plants, are the largest users ..."
Document Title: The title of the January 25, 2012 USDA ARS News Release is "USDA Unveils New Plant Hardiness Zone Map"
Organization: The January 25, 2012 News Release was issued by Kim Kaplan who is with the USDA ARS Press Office
Source: January 25, 2012 USDA ARS News Release
Web site: The January 25, 2012 USDA ARS News Release is posted at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2012/120125.htm
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is available at http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/
Contact: Questions about USDA ARS Plant Hardiness Zone Mapping may be directed by e-mail to PHZM@ARS.USDA.gov
Nutrient and Food Group Analyses of Foods Distributed through USDA Food and Nutrition Programs - The USDA Food and Nutrition Service has released a report which reviews USDA Foods distributed through five of its programs and found that "... the Commodity Supplemental Food Program infant food package provided at least 97 percent of the recommended Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for all of the key vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients ... As delivered, CSFP packages for nonelderly women and children contained about one-third (32 percent) of participants' total food energy needs [while] for elderly participants [it] contained about one-quarter (23 percent) of total energy needs ..." - As delivered, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) packages "... provided participants with most (86 percent) of their energy needs ..." - USDA Foods selected by schools "... provided 28 percent of the average child's Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein [and] provided 9 percent of the average child's energy need ..." - Child and Adult Care Food Program Centers "... selected more fruit, 39 percent by weight, than any other group of USDA Foods ..." - As for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), "... measured by weight, vegetables and meat accounted for 17 percent of USDA Foods offered and 43 percent of USDA foods delivered through TEFAP ..."
Document Title: The title of the January 2012 USDA FNS Research Report is "Nutrient and MyPyramid Analysis of USDA Foods in Five of Its Food and Nutrition Programs"
Organization: USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Office of Research and Analysis. The January 2012 report was prepared by Westat for the Food and Nutrition Service.
Source: January 26, 2012 USDA FNS e-mail announcement of the availability of the USDA FNS Office of Research and Analysis Report No. FD-12-USDAFOODS
Web site: The January 2012 USDA FNS Research Report is posted at http://www.fns.usda.gov/ora/MENU/Published/FoodDistribution/FDStudies.htm Specifically at http://www.fns.usda.gov/ora/MENU/Published/CNP/FILES/NutrientMyPyramid.pdf
The USDA FNS Research Report Summary is posted at http://www.fns.usda.gov/ora/MENU/Published/CNP/FILES/NutrientMyPyramidSummary.pdf
Contact: Steven Carlson is the Director of the USDA FNS Office of Research and Analysis in Alexandria, Virginia and may be reached at 703 305 2017; e-mail: Steve.Carlson@FNS.USDA.gov
Effects of the USDA Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) - The USDA Food and Nutrition Service has released a report which summarizes the research literature and found that "... participation in WIC is positively associated with gestational age and mean birth weight ... Overall, the studies suggested lower breastfeeding rates among WIC participants; 11 of 13 studies found either negative or no association between WIC participation and breastfeeding ... Studies suggested that WIC participation is associated with improved diets, including increased iron density, fewer added sugars, and a greater variety of foods ... In general, WIC participation was associated with greater utilization of health care and curative health services including preventative and restorative dental care ... [but] studies found no clear evidence of an association between WIC participation and child health outcomes ..."
Document Title: The title of the January 2012 USDA FNS Research Report is "Effects of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): A Review of Recent Research"
Organization: USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Office of Research and Analysis. The January 2012 report was prepared by Mathematica Policy Research for the Food and Nutrition Service.
Source: January 26, 2012 USDA FNS e-mail announcement of the availability of the USDA FNS Office of Research and Analysis Report No. CN-11-WM
Web site: The January 2012 USDA FNS Research Report is posted at http://www.fns.usda.gov/ora/MENU/Published/WIC/WIC.htm. Specifically at http://www.fns.usda.gov/ora/MENU/Published/WIC/FILES/WICMedicaidLitRev.pdf
Contact: Steven Carlson is the Director of the USDA FNS Office of Research and Analysis in Alexandria, Virginia and may be reached at 703 305 2017; e-mail: Steve.Carlson@FNS.USDA.gov
Evaluating the Welfare of Pigs and Dairy Cows on Farms by Responses to Factors in their Environment - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published two scientific opinions which concludes that these "... animal-based measures ... are effective and should be used wherever possible ... The rationale for this approach is that animal-based measures aim to directly determine the actual welfare status of the animal and therefore include both the effect of the environment as well as how the animal is managed ..." - The two opinions also "... lay out a 'toolbox' approach, giving scientists, veterinarians and farmers a list of animal-based measures from which to tailor their own welfare assessment ... [but] notes that non-animal-based measures should continue to be used when it is clear that they will prevent animal welfare issues ..."
Document Title: The title of the January 25, 2012 EFSA News Story is "Dairy cows and pigs: animal responses most effective for evaluating welfare"
Organization: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
Source: January 25, 2012 EFSA News Story
Web site: The January 25, 2012 EFSA News Story is posted at http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/120125a.htm
The January 25, 2012 EFSA Scientific Opinion on the use of animal-based measures to assess welfare of dairy cows is posted at http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2554.htm Specifically at http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/doc/2554.pdf
The January 25, 2012 EFSA Scientific Opinion on the use of animal-based measures to assess welfare in pigs is posted at http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2512.htm Specifically at http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/doc/2512.pdf
Contact: The Head of the EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) is Franck Berthe who may be reached at +39 0521 036 870; e-mail: Franck.Berthe@EFSA.Europa.EU
"Guidance on Risk Assessment for Animal Welfare" has been issued by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that provides a "... standardised methodology ... which follows a step-by-step approach, [and] is designed to be applicable to all animal species and all factors that affect animal welfare, including housing, transport, stunning and killing ..."
Document Title: The title of the January 25, 2012 EFSA News Story is "EFSA publishes guidelines for risk assessment of animal welfare"
The title of the January 25, 2012 EFSA Guidance is "Guidance on Risk Assessment for Animal Welfare"
Organization: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
Source: January 25, 2012 EFSA News Story
January 25, 2012 EFSA Guidance, which was adopted on December 13, 2011 by the EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW)
Web site: The January 25, 2012 EFSA News Story is posted at http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/120125.htm
The January 25, 2012 EFSA Guidance is posted at http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2513.htm. Specifically at http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/doc/2513.pdf. Information about the EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) is available at http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/panels/ahaw.htm
Contact: The Head of the EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) is Franck Berthe who may be reached at +39 0521 036 870; e-mail: Franck.Berthe@EFSA.Europa.EU
EU Ban on "Un-Enriched" Cages for Laying Hens - The European Commission has issued letters of formal notice calling on "... Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Romania to take action to address deficiencies in the implementation of EU legislation [which] requires that all laying hens must be kept in 'enriched cages' [that] provide each hen with at least 750 cm² of cage area, a nest-box, litter, perches and claw-shortening devices, allowing the hens to satisfy their biological and behavioral needs [as from 1 January 2012] ... Concerned Member States have two months to respond to the letter of formal notice under EU infringement procedures. If they fail to react satisfactorily the Commission will send a 'Reasoned Opinion' requesting concerned Member States to take the necessary measures to comply with the Directive within two months ..."
Document Title: The title of the January 26, 2012 EC Press Release is "Animal Welfare: Commission urges 13 Member States to implement ban on laying hen cages"
Organization: Press Office of the European Commission (EC)
Source: January 26, 2012 European Commission Press Release
Web site: The January 26, 2012 EC Press Release is posted at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/12/47&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Additional information on Animal Welfare on the Farm - Laying hens is available at http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/welfare/farm/laying_hens_en.htm
The July 19, 1999 Council Directive 1999/74/EC, titled Laying down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens, is posted at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:1999:203:0053:0057:EN:PDF
Contact: The contacts provided in the press release are as follows: Frédéric Vincent at +32 2 298 71 66; e-mail: Frederic.Vincent@EC.Europa.EU. Aikaterini Apostola +32 2 298 76 24; e-mail: Aikaterini.Apostola@EC.Europa.EU John Dalli is the EC Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy and may be reached at +(32) 2 2986513; e-mail: Cab-Dalli-Webpage@EC.Europa.EU
Raw Product Destined for Ready-To-Eat Product Excluded from Salmonella Testing - The USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) has updated a notice to its inspection program personnel (IPP) which advises that "... when an establishment processes all its products into ready-to-eat (RTE) product or moves all its raw products for further processing into RTE product at another federally inspected establishment, the raw products at that establishment are excluded from the not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) Salmonella verification testing program schedule ..."
Document Title: The title of the January 25, 2012 USDA FSIS Notice is "Raw Product Destined For Ready-To-Eat Product Excluded From Salmonella Testing"
Organization: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
Source: January 25, 2012 USDA FSIS Notice 06-12
Web site: The January 25, 2012 USDA FSIS Notice is posted at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/06-12.pdf
Contact: Questions about the FSIS Notice may be directed to the Policy Development Division through askFSIS at http://askfsis.custhelp.com or by telephone at 1-800-233-3935. Daniel Engeljohn is the USDA FSIS Assistant Administrator for Office of Policy and Program Development and may be reached at 202 205 0495; e-mail: Daniel.Engeljohn@FSIS.USDA.gov
Food Safety Assessment (FSA) with Intensified Verification Testing (IVT) in response to Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Testing Results - The USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) has reissued a notice to its inspection personnel which "... specifies the conditions that trigger scheduling a 'for cause' IVT FSA, including Salmonella positive results from ready-to-eat (RTE) product ... This notice has been revised to clarify that FSIS will no longer perform IVT sampling in response to E. coli O57:H7 positive results from RTE products because routine sampling has been discontinued for the pathogen in these products ..."
Document Title: The title of the January 25, 2012 USDA FSIS Notice is "Intensified Verification Testing and 'For Cause' Food Safety Assessments In Response To Ready-To-Eat Testing Results"
Organization: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
Source: January 25, 2012 USDA FSIS Notice 07-12
Web site: The January 25, 2012 USDA FSIS Notice is posted at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/07-12.pdf
Contact: Questions may be directed to the FSIS Risk and Innovations Management Division through askFSIS at http://askfsis.custhelp.com or by telephone at 1-800-233-3935. Daniel Engeljohn is the USDA FSIS Assistant Administrator for Office of Policy and Program Development and may be reached at 202 205 0495; e-mail: Daniel.Engeljohn@FSIS.USDA.gov
Nanomaterials - Environmental, Health, and Safety Aspects - The Division on Earth and Life Studies, a unit of the National Academies National Research Council, has released a report titled "A Research Strategy for Environmental, Health, and Safety Aspects of Engineered Nanomaterials" which states that "... without a coordinated research plan to help guide efforts to manage and avoid potential risks, the future of safe and sustainable nanotechnology is uncertain ... Therefore, there is the need for a research strategy that is independent of any one stakeholder group, has human and environmental health as its primary focus, builds on past efforts, and is flexible in anticipating and adjusting to emerging challenges ... The committee noted the following four research categories, which should be addressed within five years: [1] identify and quantify the nanomaterials being released and the populations and environments being exposed; [2] understand processes that affect both potential hazards and exposure; [3] examine nanomaterial interactions in complex systems ranging from subcellular to ecosystems; and [4] support an adaptive research and knowledge infrastructure for accelerating progress and providing rapid feedback to advance research ..." - The report also notes that there is concern that "... dual and potentially conflicting roles of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) [which coordinates U.S. federal investments in nanoscale research and development], such as developing and promoting nanotechnology while identifying and mitigating risks that arise from its use, impede application and evaluation of health and environmental risk research. To carry out the research strategy effectively, a clear separation of management and budgetary authority and accountability between promoting nanotechnology and assessing potential environmental and safety risks is essential ..."
Document Title: The title of the January 25, 2012 National Academies News Release is "Health and Environmental Effects of Nanomaterials Remain Uncertain; Cohesive Research Plan Needed to Help Avoid Potential Risks From Rapidly Evolving Technology"
Organization: Division on Earth and Life Studies, a unit of the National Academies National Research Council. The study was sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council make up the National Academies. They are independent, nonprofit institutions that provide science, technology, and health policy advice under an 1863 congressional charter. Panel members, who serve pro bono as volunteers, are chosen by the Academies for each study based on their expertise and experience and must satisfy the Academies' conflict-of-interest standards. The resulting consensus reports undergo external peer review before completion. For more information, visit http://national-academies.org/studycommitteprocess.pdf .
Contacts: Jennifer Walsh, Media Relations Officer Shaquanna Shields, Media Relations Assistant Office of News and Public Information 202-334-2138; e-mail news@nas.edu
Federal Meat Inspection - In a unanimous opinion, the US Supreme Court has ruled that the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) expressly " ... prevents a State from imposing any additional or different―even if nonconflicting―requirements that fall within the FMIA's scope and concern slaughterhouse facilities or operations ..." - The ruling overturns a California law that imposed " ... additional or different requirements on swine slaughterhouses ..."
Document Title: The title of the January 23, 2012 US Supreme Court decision is "National Meat Association v. Harris, Attorney General of California, et al.; certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. 10–224; Argued November 9, 2011—Decided January 23, 2012"
Organization: United States Supreme Court
Web site: The text of the Supreme Court decision is posted at http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/10-224.pdf
Information about the National Meat Association is posted at http://nmaonline.org/about
Contact: Questions may be directed Jeremy Russell who is the NMA Director of Communications and Government Relations by e-mail at Jeremy@NMAonline.org
"Cadmium Dietary Exposure in the European Population" is the title of a scientific report released by the European Food Safety Authority which concludes "... the current review confirmed that children and adults at the 95th percentile exposure could exceed health-based guidance values ..." - The report states that "... high levels of cadmium were found in algal formulations, cocoa-based products, crustaceans, edible offal, fungi, oilseeds, seaweeds and water molluscs ... Looking at the food categories in more detail, potatoes (13.2%), bread and rolls (11.7%), fine bakery wares (5.1%), chocolate products (4.3%), leafy vegetables (3.9%) and water molluscs (3.2%) contributed the most to cadmium dietary exposure across age groups ... In an attempt to calculate lifetime cadmium dietary exposure, a middle bound overall weekly average was estimated at 2.04 µg/kg body weight and a potential 95th percentile at 3.66 µg/kg body weight ..."
Document Title: The title of the January 18, 2012 EFSA Scientific Report is "Cadmium dietary exposure in the European population"
Organization: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
Source: January 18, 2012 EFSA Scientific Report, which was approved on January 17, 2012
Additional information about the EFSA Dietary and Chemical Monitoring Unit is available at http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/panels/datex.htm
Contact: The Head of the EFSA Dietary and Chemical Monitoring Unit is Stefan Fabiansson who may be reached at +39 0521 036 446; e-mail: Stefan.Fabiansson@EFSA.Europa.EU
Public Meeting
January 31, 2012
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Drug Administration
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
ACTION: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced a public meeting to discuss federal efforts to enhance food safety strategies through the improved use and characterization of foodborne illness source attribution. The meeting will be held in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 31, 2012.
SUMMARY: The purpose of the daylong meeting will be to discuss federal approaches to food source attribution and outline efforts to develop harmonized food source attribution fractions to inform food safety strategies. The meeting also will be used to review a draft Strategic Plan developed by the Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC), which was formed this year to increase collaboration on analytic projects.
DATES: The meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., January 31, 2012, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's South Building Cafeteria, 14th & Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250. (Non-USDA employees should enter through wing 2, located at 12th and C Street, S.W. and must provide a photo identification to enter the building.) Due to limited space, persons wishing to attend are encouraged to register in advance. Advance registration closes on January 25, 2012. Electronic registration can be completed online at: www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/meetings_&_events. The deadline to register to make public comments during the meeting is January 9, 2012.
Link: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_122911_01/index.asp
January 31, 2012-February 2, 2012
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel; Notice of Public Meeting
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: There will be a 3-day meeting of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA SAP) to consider and review Common Effects Assessment Methodology developed in the Office of Pesticide Programs and Office of Water.
DATES: The meeting will be held on January 31, 2012 to February 2, 2012, from 9 a.m. to approximately 5:30 p.m.
Comments. The Agency encourages that written comments be submitted by January 17, 2012 and requests for oral comments be submitted by January 24, 2012. However, written comments and requests to make oral comments may be submitted until the date of the meeting, but anyone submitting written comments after January 17, 2012 should contact the Designated Federal Official (DFO) listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. For additional instructions, see Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. Nominations. Nominations of candidates to serve as ad hoc members of FIFRA SAP for this meeting should be provided on or before November 30, 2011. Webcast. This meeting may be webcast. Please refer to the FIFRA SAP's Web site, http://www.epa.gov/scipoly/SAP for information on how to access the webcast. Please note that the webcast is a supplementary public process provided only for convenience. If difficulties arise resulting in webcasting outages, the meeting will continue as planned.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Environmental Protection Agency, Conference Center, Lobby Level, One Potomac Yard (South Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA 22202.
Comments. Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0898, by one of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. Mail: Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public Docket (7502P), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharlene R. Matten, Office of Science Coordination and Policy (7201M), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 564-0130; fax number: (202) 564-8382; email address: matten.sharlene@epa.gov.
Link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-11-16/html/2011-29602.htm
February 1, 2011
"Traceability and Food Safety Systems" is the title of the February 1, 2012 meeting of the Washington, DC Section of the Institute of Food Technologists which will include an update on the development of international standards and guidance for the use of traceability in the food industry - Topics and Speakers include: "IFTs Historic Work on Traceability" by Tejas Bhatt, IFT Staff; "FSMA Provisions for Traceability" by Elisa Elliot, FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition; and "The IFT Pilot Program" by Jennifer McEntire who is with Leavitt Partners - The meeting will be moderated by Janet Collins who is with DuPont, Washington, DC - Registration with networking and light refreshments begins at 2 pm Eastern at the first floor conference room of the K&L Gates law firm (1601 K Street, NW); the meeting will begin at 2:30 pm sharp and is expected end around 4 pm, again with light refreshments and networking. For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will be webcast by IFT.
ORGANIZATION: Washington, DC Section of the Institute of Food Technologists
SOURCE: January 20, 2012 e-mail message from the Secretary of the IFT DC Section
WEB SITE: For those who will attend in person please register at
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEFzV29rYmN2aFdBekFkUzZOdjdTRXc6MQ. There is a pay at the door $10 registration fee for IFT members; $15 for non IFT members and $5 for students; If you are unable to register in advance, it is ok to attend anyway. For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will be webcast by IFT. Registration for the webcast is available at http://www.ift.org/knowledge-center/learn-online/live-webcasts/traceability-and-food-safety-systems.aspx. The webcast fee for IFT members is $99; non IFT members: $145; and Students: $49.
CONTACT: Questions about the program may be directed to the meeting moderator, Janet Collins, by e-mail at Janet.E.Collins@USA.duPont.com
February 13, 2012
Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA) - The US Codex Office has scheduled a public meeting for February 13, 2012 in College Park, Maryland to receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions on documents to be considered during the 44th CCFA Session, which will be held March 12 through 16, 2012 in Hangzhou, China - A Working Group on the General Standards for Food Additives (GSFA) will be meet on March 9 and 10 - Individuals unable to attend the College Park meeting in person may attend by conference call.
DOCUMENT TITLE: The title of the January 3, 2011 US Codex Office e-mail message announcing the meetings is "Request to Participate in the USA Delegation to the 44th Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA)"
ORGANIZATION: US Codex Office, management support for which is provided by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
SOURCE: January 3, 2011 e-mail message from the US CCFA Alternate Delegate, Susan Carberry, to Individuals with an interest in the work of the CCFA
WEB SITE: The US Codex Office www site showing upcoming Codex Committee meetings is posted at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Codex_Alimentarius/Public_Meetings/index.asp
CONTACT: Questions about the February 13, 2012 Public Meeting may be directed to Jannavi R. Srinivasan, PhD who is with the Division of Biotech and GRAS Notice Review of the Office of Food Additive Safety of the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in College Park, Maryland at 301 436 1199; fax: 301 436 2965; e-mail: Jannavi.Srinivasan@FDA.HHS.gov
Individuals interested in attending the public meeting are requested to register electronically at CCFA@FDA.HHS.gov
Attendees that are not able to attend the meeting in-person but wish to participate may do so by phone. Those wishing to participate by phone should request the call-in number and conference code when they register for the meeting
Questions about the March 12 through 16, 2012 meeting in Hangzhou, China may be directed to Susan E. Carberry, Ph.D., the Alternate US Delegate to the CCFA who is a Supervisory Chemist with the Division of Petition Review of the Office of Food Additive Safety of the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in College Park, Maryland at 301 436 1269; fax: 301 436 2972; e-mail: Susan.Carberry@FDA.HHS.gov
The US Delegate to the CCFA is Dennis M. Keefe, Ph.D. who is the Manager of International Activities of the Office of Food Additive Safety of the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in College Park, Maryland at 301 436 1284; fax: 301 436 2972; e-mail: Dennis.Keefe@FDA.HHS.gov
February 23, 2012
Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) - The US Codex Office has scheduled a public meeting for February 23, 2012 in College Park, Maryland for a review of the agenda and of positions to be taken by the US government during the next meeting of the CCCF which is set for March 26 through 30, 2012 in Maastrich, The Netherlands - Tentative agenda items for the Maastrich meeting include "... Revision of the Risk Analysis Principles; Revision of the Code of Practice for Source Directed Measures to Reduce Contamination of Food with Chemicals as to their applicability to feed; Draft Maximum Levels for Melamine in Food (liquid infant formula); Proposed draft Maximum Levels for Arsenic in Rice; Proposed Draft Maximum Levels for Deoxynivalenol (DON) and its Acetylated Derivatives in Cereals and Cereal-based Products; Proposed Draft Maximum Levels for Total Aflatoxins in Dried Figs including Sampling Plans; Discussion Paper on Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in food and feed; Discussion Paper on Maximum levels for lead in various foods; Discussion Paper on Mycotoxins in Sorghum; Discussion Paper on Ochratoxin A in Cocoa; Discussion Paper on Guidance for Risk Management Options in light of different risk assessment options; Priority List of Contaminants and Naturally Occurring Toxicants Proposed for Evaluation by Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) ..."
ORGANIZATION: US Codex Office, management support for which is provided by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
SOURCE: January 10, 2012 e-mail message from Henry Kim, Ph.D. who is with the Office of Food Safety of the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition on behalf of Nega Beru, Ph.D. who is the Director of the FDA CFSAN Office of Food Safety who is also the US Delegate to the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food
WEB SITE: The announcement and agenda for the US Codex Office CCCF February 23, 2012 College Park meeting and the March 26 through 30, 2012 meeting in Maastrich, The Netherlands is expected to be published soon in the Federal Register at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/browse.html
The agenda for the March 26 through 30, 2012 CCCF meeting in Maastrich, The Netherlands is posted at http://www.codexalimentarius.net/web/current.jsp?lang=en Specifically at http://www.codexalimentarius.net/download/report/776/cf06_01e.pdf
Information about the CCCF is posted at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Codex_Alimentarius/Codex_Committee_Contaminants_in_Foods/index.asp
CONTACT: Questions about the February 23, 2012 meeting in College Park, Maryland may be directed to Henry Kim, Ph.D. who is with the Office of Food Safety of the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in College Park, Maryland at 240-402-2023; fax: 301 436 2632; e-mail: Henry.Kim@FDA.HHS.gov
March 5-6, 2012
FDA's Regulatory Policies Related to Nutrition – FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and the Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition have scheduled a "Dietetics and Nutrition Webinar" for March 5 and 6, 2012 which is intended to "... communicate FDA's nutrition and regulatory activities that are relevant to the practice of nutrition and dietetics. Topics include food labeling, updating the nutrition facts panel, front of pack labeling, dietary guidance statements, infant formula regulations, medical foods, food ingredient safety, regulatory program for chemical contaminants in foods, dietary supplements, adverse events reporting and consumer research and education ..." - The webinar is designed for "... dietetic interns, students and faculty in dietetics and nutrition, and practitioners in dietetics, nutrition and other professional areas ..."
Document Title: The title of the January 11, 2012 FDA Constituent Update is "FDA Announces Dietetics and Nutrition Webinar Co-Sponsored with the Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN)"
ORGANIZATION: FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Office of Public Affairs
SOURCE: January 11, 2012 FDA CFSAN Constituent Update
WEB SITE: The January 11, 2012 FDA CFSAN Constituent Update is posted at http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm286996.htm
Additional information about the webinar is posted at http://jifsan.umd.edu/events/event_record.php?id=53
CONTACT: No technical contact is provided to whom questions may be directed about Dietetics and Nutrition Webinar.
Food Safety
February 27, 2012
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Information From Foreign Regions Applying for Recognition of Animal Health Status
ACTION: Proposed rule.
SUMMARY: We are proposing to amend the regulations that govern the importation of animals and animal products by revising the list of factors APHIS considers when evaluating the animal health status of a foreign region. Additionally,we are proposing criteria for considering a region to be historically free of a specific disease. These changes would make clearer the type of information APHIS needs from a requesting region to most expeditiously conduct an evaluation.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before February 27, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2007-0158-0001. Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0158, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Kelly Rhodes, Regionalization Evaluation Services, Sanitary Trade Issues Team, National Center for Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 38, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-4356.
Link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-28/html/2011-33206.htm
April 16, 2012
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
Beverages: Bottled Water Quality Standard; Establishing an Allowable Level for di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending its bottled water quality standard regulations by establishing an allowable level for the chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP). As a consequence, bottled water manufacturers are required to monitor their finished bottled water products for DEHP at least once each year under the current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) regulations for bottled water. Bottled water manufacturers are also required to monitor their source water for DEHP as often as necessary, but at least once every year unless they meet the criteria for source water monitoring exemptions under the CGMP regulations. This final rule will ensure that FDA's standards for the minimum quality of bottled water, as affected by DEHP, will be no less protective of the public health than those set
by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for public drinking water.
DATES: This rule is effective April 16, 2012. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of April 16, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lauren Posnick Robin, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-317), Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740, 240-402-1639. Hearing-impaired or speech-impaired individuals may access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.
Link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-10-19/html/2011-26707.htm
Health & Wellness
February 13, 2012
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
National Organic Program (NOP); Sunset Review (2012)
ACTION: Proposed rule.
SUMMARY: This proposed rule would address recommendations submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) on April 29, 2010, October 28, 2010, and April 29, 2011. These recommendations pertain to the 2012 Sunset Review of substances on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List). Consistent with the NOSB recommendations, the proposed rule would continue, without change, the exemptions (use) and prohibitions for multiple listings on the National List for 5 years after their respective sunset dates. This proposed rule would amend the exemptions (use) or prohibition for 7 substances and remove the exemption for 3 substances on the National List.
DATES: Comments must be received by February 13, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons may submit written comments on this proposed rule using the following addresses: Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Mail: Toni Strother, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, National Organic Program, USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 2646-So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250. Instructions: All submissions received must include the docket number AMS-NOP-09-0074; NOP-09-01, and/or Regulatory Information Number (RIN) 0581-AC96 for this rulemaking.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Bailey, Ph.D., Director, Standards Division, Telephone: (202) 720-3252; Fax: (202) 205-7808.
Link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-12/html/2012-362.htm
February 27, 2012
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request--Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Forms: FNS-698, FNS-699, and FNS-700; The Integrity Profile (TIP)
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on proposed information collections.
DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received on or before February 27, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Debra Whitford, Director, Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 520, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments will also be accepted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov, and follow the online instructions for submitting comments electronically.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection form and instructions should be directed to Joan Carroll, (703) 305-2746.
Link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-28/html/2011-33241.htm
March 12, 2012
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
National Organic Program (NOP); Sunset Review (2012) for Nutrient Vitamins and Minerals
ACTION: Proposed rule.
SUMMARY: This proposed rule would address a recommendation submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) on April 29, 2011. The recommendation pertains to the 2012 Sunset Review of the listing for nutrient vitamins and minerals on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List). As recommended by the NOSB, the proposed rule would continue the exemption (use) for nutrient vitamins and minerals for 5 years after the October 21, 2012 sunset date. In addition, the proposed rule would amend the annotation to correct an inaccurate cross reference to U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations (FDA). The proposed amendment to the annotation would clarify what synthetic substances are allowed as nutrient vitamins and minerals in organic products labeled as "organic" or "made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s))."
DATES: Comments must be received by March 12, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons may submit written comments on this proposed rule using the following addresses: Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Mail: Toni Strother, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, National Organic Program, USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2646-So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250. Instructions: All submissions received must include the docket number AMS-NOP-10-0083; NOP-10-09PR, and/or Regulatory Information Number (RIN) 0581-AD17 for this rulemaking.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Bailey, Ph.D., Director, Standards Division, Telephone: (202) 720-3252; Fax: (202) 205-7808.
Link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-12/html/2012-354.htm
Other Items of Interest
February 3, 2012
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Prior Label Approval System: Generic Label Approval
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to amend the meat and poultry products inspection regulations to expand the circumstances in which FSIS will generically approve the labels of meat and poultry products. The Agency also is proposing to combine the regulations that provide for the approval of labels for meat products and poultry products into a new CFR part.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 3, 2012.
ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this proposed rule. Comments may be submitted by either of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions at that site for submitting comments. Mail, including diskettes or CD-ROMs, and hand- or courier-delivered items: Send to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), FSIS, OPPD, RIMD, Docket Room, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop 3782, 8-163A, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Canavan, Food Technologist, Labeling and Program Delivery Division, Office of Policy and Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705-5273; Telephone (301) 504-0879.
Link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-05/html/2011-30992.htm
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
Common Crop Insurance Regulations; Prune Crop Insurance Provisions
ACTION: Proposed rule.
SUMMARY: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) proposes to amend the Common Crop Insurance Regulations, Prune Crop Insurance Provisions to remove the quality adjustment provisions for substandard prunes and to make other changes to clarify policy provisions. The intended effect of this action is to provide policy changes, to clarify existing policy provisions to better meet the needs of the producers, and to reduce vulnerability to program fraud, waste, and abuse. The changes will apply for the 2013 and succeeding crop years.
DATES: Written comments and opinions on this proposed rule will be accepted until close of business February 3, 2012 and will be considered when the rule is to be made final.
ADDRESSES: FCIC prefers that comments be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. You may submit comments, identified by Docket ID No. FCIC-11-0007, by any of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Mail: Director, Product Administration and Standards Division, Risk Management Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 419205, Kansas City, MO 64133-6205.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chief, Policy Administration Branch, Product Administration and Standards Division, Risk Management Agency, at the Kansas City, MO, address listed above, telephone at (816) 926-7730.
Link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-05/html/2011-31083.htm
February 6, 2012
AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Procurement of Commodities and Services Financed by USAID Federal Program Funds
AGENCY: Agency for International Development (USAID).
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: This Final Rule revises USAID regulations to simplify implementation of the statutory requirement that Federal assistance, or program, funds made available by the United States Congress (Congress) to USAID under the authority of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (FAA), be used for procurement in the United States (U.S.), the recipient country, or developing countries. It does so by revising USAID's current source, origin and nationality (S/O/N) regulation to track more closely the statutory procurement authority provided under the FAA and referenced above by establishing a new code for procurements from the U.S., recipient country and developing countries as well as reflecting existing, special procurement authorities established by Congress; deleting the concept of "origin," and simplifying the concepts of "source" and "nationality" to reflect better Congress's directive to procure from the U.S., recipient or developing countries; and simplifying application of the statutory waiver authority in the FAA.
DATES: Effective: February 6, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Niemeyer (or designee), Attorney Advisor, Office of the General Counsel, USAID, Rm. 6.07-105, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20523; telephone: (202) 712-5053 (this is not a toll-free number); jniemeyer@usaid.gov.
Link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-10/html/2011-33240.htm
February 21, 2012
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
Grading and Inspection, General Specifications for Approved Plants and Standards for Grades of Dairy Products; General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service
ACTION: Proposed rule
SUMMARY: This document proposes to amend the General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Inspection and Grading Service (General Specifications) by raising the maximum allowable somatic cell count in producer herd goat milk from 1,000,000 cells per milliliter to 1,500,000 cells per milliliter. This will ensure that goat milk can continue to be shipped and recognizes that goats have a need for different regulatory limits for somatic cells than cows. In addition this document proposes to eliminate mandatory sediment testing on producer milk except for milk in cans. The requirement for sediment testing has become outdated and is no longer needed.
DATES: Submit written or electronic comments on or before February 21, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may use any of the following methods to file comments on this action: By mail: Susan Sausville, Chief, Standardization Branch, Dairy Programs, STOP 0230 (Room 2746 South Building), Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0230; By fax: (202) 720-2643; By internet: http://www.regulations.gov. By email: Susan.Sausville@ams.usda.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Sausville, Chief, Standardization Branch, Dairy Programs, AMS, USDA, telephone (202) 720-9382 or email Susan.Sausville@ams.usda.gov.
Link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-23/html/2011-32925.htm
March 19, 2012
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers
ACTION: Proposed rule.
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposes to amend the regulations governing the United States (U.S.) Standards for Condition of Food Containers. The proposed revisions would remove the Operating Characteristic (OC) curves for on-line sampling and inspection and make other minor non-substantive changes. These revisions are necessary in order to provide standards that reflect current industry practices.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 19, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments or comments on the Internet. Comments may be sent to Lynne Yedinak, Food Technologist, Processed Products Division, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 0709, South Building Stop 0247, Washington, DC 20250-0247; FAX: (202) 690-1527; or Internet: http://www.regulations.gov. The current U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers is available through the address cited below by accessing the Internet at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_00/7cfr42_00.html. All comments should reference the document number, date, and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. All comments will be posted without change, including any personal information provided. All comments submitted in response to this notice will be included in the record and will be made available to the public on the Internet via: http://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynne Yedinak at the above address, Telephone: (202) 720-9939, Fax: (202) 690-1527, or email FQAStaff@ams.usda.gov.
Link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-18/html/2012-833.htm
April 10, 2012
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations: Income Deductions and Resource Eligibility
ACTION: Proposed rule.
SUMMARY: This rule proposes to amend regulations for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). The changes are intended to simplify and improve the administration of and expand access to FDPIR, and promote conformity with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). First, the Department proposes an amendment that would eliminate household resources from consideration when determining FDPIR eligibility. Second, to more closely align FDPIR and SNAP regulations, the Department proposes to expand the current FDPIR income deduction for Medicare Part B Medical Insurance and Part D Prescription Drug Coverage premiums to include other monthly medical expenses in excess of $35 for households with elderly and/or disabled members. This rule also proposes to establish an income deduction for shelter and utility expenses. Finally, the Department proposes verification requirements related to the proposed income deductions and revisions to the household reporting requirements that will more closely align FDPIR and SNAP regulations.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 10, 2012.
ADDRESSES: The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) invites interested persons to submit comments on this proposed rule. You may submit comments identified by Regulatory Identifier Number (RIN) 0584-AE05, by any of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the Enter Keyword or ID field insert "FNS-2011-0036", and then click on Search. Click on Submit a Comment. Fax: Submit comments by facsimile transmission to (703) 305-2782. Mail: Send comments to Laura Castro at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dana Rasmussen by telephone at (703) 305-2662.
Link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-11/html/2012-391.htm
Regulations
USDA/FNS
RIN: 0584-AE15
Title: Certification of Compliance With Meal Requirements for the National School Lunch Program Under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
Stage: Interim Final Rule
Economically Significant: Yes
Received Date: 12/26/2011
USDA/FSIS
RIN: 0583-AC59
Title: Prior Labeling Approval System: Generic Label Approval
Agency: Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Priority: Other Significant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda
Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage
Major: No
Unfunded Mandates: No