[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 5, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-16108]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: July 5, 1994]
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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]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P
