[Federal Register: January 25, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 15)] [Notices] [Page 3678] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr25ja99-32] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food Safety and Inspection Service [Docket No. 98-066N] In-Distribution Inspection Pilot Test Project; Report AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is making available for comment a draft paper describing a project that will test the feasibility of using FSIS inspectors in food safety activities outside of federally inspected plants. This In-Distribution Inspection Pilot Test Project is part of the FSIS HACCP-Based Inspection Models Project. DATES: To receive full consideration, comments should be received by February 24, 1999. ADDRESSES: The document Report on the In-Distribution Inspection Pilot Test Project may be viewed at the FSIS Docket Room, Room 102 Cotton Annex Building, 300 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3700. An electronic version of the document is available on-line at FSIS's homepage at http://www.fsis.usda.gov. Written comments on the document may be sent in triplicate to FSIS Docket Clerk, DOCKET #98-066N, Room 102 Cotton Annex Building, 300 12th Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20250- 3700. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia F. Stolfa, Assistant Deputy Administrator, Office of Policy, Program Development and Evaluation, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250-3700; (202) 205-0699. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The In-Distribution (ID) Inspection Pilot Test Project discussed in the report being made available is part of the HACCP-based Inspection Models Project. In a June 1997 Federal Register Notice, FSIS requested public comments on the design and development of new inspection models for livestock and poultry slaughter and processing in a HACCP environment (62 FR 31553). The notice summarized recommendations by the National Academy of Sciences and the General Accounting Office that FSIS reduce its reliance on organoleptic (sensory) inspection, shift to inspection systems based on risk, and redeploy its resources in a manner that better protects the public from food-borne illnesses. To accomplish these objectives, inspection models must be developed that incorporate inspection procedures consistent with the pathogen reduction and HACCP systems rule. The HACCP-Based Inspection Models Project is designed to develop new approaches to inspection in plants slaughtering young, healthy, and uniform animals. The In-Distribution part of the Inspection Models Project explores the possibility of redeploying some inspection resources from these plants in ways that will enhance food safety protection all along the farm-to-table continuum. Under provisions of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA), FSIS has authority to regulate the production, sale, transportation, and storage of meat and poultry food products. Traditionally, the Agency has assigned the great majority of its resources to inspection activities within livestock and poultry slaughter and processing plants. Consistent with its modernization and farm-to-table initiatives, FSIS intends to redistribute resources to more efficiently and effectively verify that the industry meets its responsibility to produce, store, and distribute safe and wholesome products. The In- Distribution Pilot Test will help the Agency determine the feasibility of significantly increasing the frequency of certain tasks that are now performed outside of federally inspected plants. The in-distribution pilots also will explore how new activities can address food safety hazards and other consumer protection issues, such as economic adulteration or improper labeling, in regard to the distribution of meat and poultry products out of plants into distribution channels, storage, retail food stores, restaurants, commercial kitchens, hotels, and other institutions. The paper Report on the In-Distribution Inspection Pilot Test Project is intended to inform project participants and the public of the Agency's views on this subject. The paper is available for review at the location indicated above in ADDRESSES. Done at Washington, DC, on: January 14, 1999. Thomas J. Billy, Administrator. [FR Doc. 99-1614 Filed 1-22-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P