[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 223 (Wednesday, November 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61725-61726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30320]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 97-065N]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

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, this notice 
announces the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) intention to 
request an extension for and revision to a currently approved 
information collection package regarding official marking devices, 
labeling, and packaging material.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before January 
20, 1998.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Lee Puricelli, Paperwork 
Specialist, (202) 720-0346.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Official Marking Devices, Labeling, and Packaging Material.
    OMB Number: 0583-0092.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 1997.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: 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.) and the Poultry Products Inspection 
Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.). These statutes mandate that FSIS 
protect the public by ensuring that meat and poultry products are safe, 
wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged.
    FSIS is requesting an extension and revision to the information 
collection package addressing meat and poultry paperwork and 
recordkeeping requirements regarding official marking devices, 
labeling, and packaging material. To control the manufacture of marking 
devices bearing official marks, FSIS requires that official meat and 
poultry establishments and manufacturers of such marking devices 
complete a form. The establishment completes the first part of the form 
requesting that certain brands or other devices be manufactured. The 
manufacturer of the brands then provides its business name and address, 
and serial numbers of brands or devices. Such certification is 
necessary to help prevent the manufacture and use of counterfeit marks 
of inspection. To ensure that meat and poultry products are accurately 
labeled, FSIS approves meat and poultry product labelings. To ensure 
that packaging material does not render meat and poultry products 
adulterated, FSIS requires a statement of assurance from packaging 
manufacturers when such packaging is intended for use in meat and 
poultry establishments. The statement is a guaranty that the packaging 
material conforms with Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) 
regulations for food contact materials.

[[Page 61726]]

    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average .2596531 hours per response.
    Respondents: Meat and poultry establishments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,374.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 62.153919.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 119,005 hours.
    Copies of this information collection assessment and comments can 
be obtained from Lee Puricelli, Paperwork Specialist, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, USDA, 300 12th Street SW, Room 109, Washington, DC 
20250-3700, (202) 720-0346.
    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' estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology 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 on those who 
are to respond, including through use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques, 
or other forms of information technology.
    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.

    Dated: November 10, 1997.
Thomas J. Billy,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-30320 Filed 11-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P