[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 27 (Thursday, February 11, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9044-9046]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-02810]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2021-0002]


Notice of Request for Renewal of an Approved Information 
Collection (Mechanically Tenderized Beef Products)

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and 
Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to renew an 
approved information collection regarding the labeling requirements for 
mechanically tenderized beef products. There are no changes to the 
existing information collection. The approval for this information 
collection will expire on July 31, 2021.

DATES: Submit comments on or before April 12, 2021.

ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this

[[Page 9045]]

Federal Register notice. Comments may be submitted by one of the 
following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides 
commenters the ability to type short comments directly into the comment 
field on the web page or to attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to 
http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that 
site for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Mail, including CD-ROMs, etc.: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    <bullet> Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2021-0002. Comments 
received in response to this docket will be made available for public 
inspection and posted without change, including any personal 
information, to http://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, 
call (202)205-0495 to schedule a time to visit the FSIS Docket Room at 
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gina Kouba, Office of Policy and 
Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, South Building, Washington, DC 
20250-3700; (202) 720-5627.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Mechanically Tenderized Beef Products.
    OMB Number: 0583-0160.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 7/31/2021.
    Type of Request: Renewal of an approved information collection.
    Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the 
functions of the Secretary (7 CFR 2.18, 2.53), as specified in the 
Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601, et seq.), and the 
Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451, et seq.). These 
statutes mandate that FSIS protect the public by verifying that meat 
and poultry products are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly 
labeled and packaged.
    FSIS is requesting renewal of an approved information collection 
regarding the labeling requirements for mechanically tenderized beef 
products. There are no changes to the existing information collection. 
The approval for this information collection will expire on July 31, 
2021.
    FSIS regulations require the use of the descriptive designation 
``mechanically tenderized'' on the labels of raw or partially cooked 
needle--or blade--tenderized beef products, including beef products 
injected with marinade or solution, unless these products are to be 
fully cooked at an official establishment. The Agency also requires 
that the product name for the beef products include the descriptive 
designation ``mechanically tenderized'' and an accurate description of 
the beef component (9 CFR 317.2(e)(3)). Establishments that use these 
labels on product do not have to submit them to FSIS for approval prior 
to use provided such labels comply with 9 CFR 412.2. Retail facilities 
that use these labels on product do not have to submit them to FSIS for 
approval prior to use.
    FSIS has made the following estimates based upon an information 
collection assessment:
    Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average .5833 hours per response.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 555.
    Estimated average number of responses per respondent: 60.908.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 33,804.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 19,719 hours. Copies 
of this information collection assessment can be obtained from Gina 
Kouba, Office of Policy and Program Development, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence SW, Mailstop 3758, South 
Building, Washington, DC 20250; (202)720-5627.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record. Copies of this information collection assessment can be 
obtained from Gina Kouba, Office of Policy and Program Development, 
Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, 
Mailstop 3758, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700; (202) 720-
5627.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS's 
functions, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of FSIS's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
method 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, 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 both FSIS, at the addresses 
provided above, and the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB), Washington, DC 20253.
    Responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

Additional Public Notification

    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, FSIS will announce this Federal 
Register publication on-line through the FSIS web page located at: 
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.
    FSIS will also announce and provide a link to this Federal Register 
publication through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to 
provide information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, 
Federal Register notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of 
information that could affect or would be of interest to our 
constituents and stakeholders. The Constituent Update is available on 
the FSIS web page. Through the web page, FSIS can provide information 
to a much broader, more diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an 
email subscription service which provides automatic and customized 
access to selected food safety news and information. This service is 
available at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe. Options range from 
recalls to export information, regulations, directives, and notices. 
Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves and have the 
option to password protect their accounts.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

    No agency, officer, or employee of the USDA shall, on the grounds 
of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual 
orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, 
income derived from a public assistance program, or political beliefs, 
exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to 
discrimination any person in the United States under any program or 
activity conducted by the USDA.

[[Page 9046]]

How To File a Complaint of Discrimination

    To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program 
Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you or your 
authorized representative.
    Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, 
or email:

Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410
Fax: (202) 690-7442
Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7202001d1500131f5c1b1c0613191732070116135c151d04"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1363617c7461727e3d7a7d6772787653666077723d747c65">[email protected]</span></a>

    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should contact 
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

Terri Nintemann,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2021-02810 Filed 2-10-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P


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