2020-13800. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

June 23, 2020.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments are requested regarding whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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 regarding this information collection received by July 27, 2020 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Food Safety and Inspection Service

Title: Laboratory Assessment Requests.

OMB Control Number: 0583-New.

Summary of Collection: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has been delegated the authority to exercise the functions of the Secretary as provided in the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601, et seq.), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451, et seq.) and the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA) (21 U.S.C. 1031, et seq.). These statutes mandate that FSIS protect the public by ensuring that meat, poultry, and egg products are wholesome, not adulterated, and properly labeled and packaged.

As a public health regulatory agency, FSIS investigates reports of foodborne illness, contamination, and adulteration potentially associated with FSIS-regulated products. During these investigations, non-FSIS laboratories may test FSIS regulated product and share the results with FSIS. FSIS Office of Public Health Science (OPHS) Staff (SciS) will review the results and associated documentation shared by the non-FSIS laboratory to determine whether FSIS will accept the results. If the SciS lead investigator determines the non-FSIS laboratory result is acceptable, FSIS may use the result to inform regulatory action (e.g. request a recall or detain product).

Need and Use of the Information: As part of the process to determine if the non-FSIS laboratory result is acceptable, the SciS lead investigator collects information from the non-FSIS laboratory and verifies that the non-FSIS laboratory can provide the appropriate certifications and documentation of accreditation, such as ISO17025, or another third-party accreditation entity covering the methods performed. The SciS lead investigator also verifies that the laboratory has submitted all the necessary information, including evidence of chain of custody, the appropriate laboratory reports with sample identification, final results, and authorization by the responsible official for affirming results. The laboratory may use FSIS Form 8000-17, Evidence Receipt and Chain of Custody, to submit information to FSIS. Finally, the SciS investigator collects and verifies laboratory methods and quality assurance records documentation from the accredited, non-FSIS laboratory.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 3.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 23.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.