[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 19 (Monday, January 29, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 2790-2791] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-1481] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food Safety and Inspection Service [Docket No. 95-053N] Nutritional Labeling/Safe Handling Information Study, Raw Meat and Poultry; Availability AGENCY: Food and Safety and Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability of report. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the availability of the report, ``Nutritional Labeling/Safe Handling Information Study, Raw Meat and Poultry.'' This report summarizes survey data on actions taken by food retailers to provide consumers with nutrition information and safe handling instructions on raw meat and poultry products. DATES: Comments may be submitted at any time. ADDRESSES: Submit written comments and requests for single copies of the report to: Charles R. Edwards, Director, Product Assessment Division, Regulatory Programs, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250, Docket #95-053N. Send a self-addressed, adhesive mailing label to assist the office in processing requests for copies. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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 January 6, 1993, FSIS published a final rule, ``Nutrition Labeling of Meat and Poultry Products,'' (58 FR 632) that, in part, established a voluntary nutrition labeling program for single-ingredient, raw meat and poultry products. To determine if significant numbers of food retailers were participating in the voluntary nutrition labeling program and were providing nutrition labeling for single-ingredient, raw meat and poultry products, FSIS contracted with National Retail Tracking Index, Inc. (NRTI) to collect this data. The survey showed that of the nearly 2,000 grocery stores surveyed nationwide, 66.5 percent were providing nutrition information in accordance with the voluntary nutrition labeling program guidelines. When the results are weighted by the stores' annual sales volumes, the participation level rose to 72.2 percent, comfortably exceeding the target goal of 60 percent. FSIS will continue to assess retailer participation in the program every two years. If significant participation by food retailers exists, that is, at least 60 percent of all stores that are evaluated are participating in accordance with the guidelines, the voluntary nutrition labeling program will remain in effect. On March 28, 1994 (59 FR 14528), FSIS made safety handling instructions mandatory on the labels of all raw meat [[Page 2791]] and poultry products. The safe handling instructions include a rationale statement and address the safe storage of raw product, prevention of cross contamination, cooking of raw product, and handling of leftovers. To determine retailer compliance with this new mandatory rule, FSIS expanded the scope of the nutritional labeling study to include an estimate on the prevalence of stores that are providing safe handling instructions for raw meat and poultry items packaged at the retail level. Specifically, the rule requires that each store have the appropriate safe handling label affixed to all packages of raw meat and poultry products that it sells. NRTI found that 92.2 percent of the surveyed stores had safe handling instructions present on every package of every item. FSIS intends to follow up with retail trade associations and retailers to increase awareness that safe handling labeling at the store level is mandatory and to advise that these products are misbranded in the absence of such labeling. Done at Washington, DC, on January 22, 1996. Michael R. Taylor, Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety. [FR Doc. 96-1481 Filed 1-26-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-DM-M