[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 47 (Friday, March 10, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 13112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-5995]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
[Docket No. 95-009N]


Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point 
(HACCP) Systems--Notice of Scientific/Technical Conference and Request 
for Papers

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will hold a 
scientific/technical conference, ``New Technology to Improve Food 
Safety,'' on April 12-13, 1995, at the Holiday Inn O'Hare Airport, 
Rosemont, Illinois. The purpose of the conference is to discuss ways of 
developing and subsequently introducing new technologies to improve 
food safety.

ADDRESSES: Papers should be to sent to: Dr. Pat Basu, Director, 
Technology Transfer and Coordination Staff, Science and Technology, 
FSIS, USDA, Room 302 Cotton Annex, 300 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Pat Basu at (202) 720-8623.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 3, 1995, FSIS published a 
proposed rule ``Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical 
Control Point (HACCP) Systems'' (60 FR 6774). In that document, the 
Agency proposed a number of regulatory changes applicable to Federal- 
and State-inspected meat and poultry establishments. The proposed 
changes were designed to reduce the occurrence and numbers of 
pathogenic microorganisms in meat and poultry products, thereby 
reducing the incidence of foodborne illness associated with the 
consumption of these products.
    In the proposed rule, FSIS stated its intent to review its current 
policies and procedures governing review and approval of in-plant 
technologies that improve the safety of meat and poultry products, and 
to convene a public meeting to gain information on ways the Agency 
might improve its role in fostering and overseeing the implementation 
of such technologies. FSIS believes that the development and proper use 
of technology can contribute significantly to improving the safety of 
the food supply. FSIS recognizes that members of the regulated industry 
have complained that some of the Agency's control mechanisms stifle 
innovation, potentially impeding progress that could improve food 
safety. The Agency also recognizes consumer groups' concern that 
technologies be proven effective and safe before use, and that the 
scientific processes used by FSIS to evaluate technologies be open to 
public scrutiny and participation. To discuss these issues, FSIS is 
hosting a scientific/technical conference.
    The first conference, ``New Technology to Improve Food Safety'' 
will be held on April 12-13, 1995, at the Holiday Inn O'Hare Airport, 
5440 North River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018, (708) 671-6350. The 
conference will begin each day at 8:30 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. on 
April 12th; at noon on April 13th.

Conference Agenda

    The conference will consist of three sessions as follows:

Session I: ``The Role of Innovation in Enhancing the Safety of Meat and 
Poultry Products''

    Speakers will give examples of new food safety technologies that 
have been introduced.

Session II: ``Models for Government Facilitation of Technology 
Development and Transfer''

U.S. Government representatives and a representative from a foreign 
country will discuss various government models used in the United 
States and abroad to encourage the development and implementation of 
new technologies.

Session III: ``New Technologies for Reducing Pathogens, Especially 
Escherichia coli O157:H7''

    Speakers will address promising new technologies developed to 
reduce food pathogens.

    Thomas J. Billy, Associate Administrator, FSIS will moderate and be 
joined by a panel consisting of: Patricia Stolfa, Associate Deputy 
Administrator for Science and Technology, FSIS; Gene Lyons, Research 
Leader, Richard Russell Research Center, Agricultural Research Service; 
a consumer representative; and an industry representative.
    At each session, invited speakers from FSIS, other government 
agencies, industry, and academia groups will give presentations 
relevant to that session's topic. At Sessions I and III, selected 
participants that have sent papers to FSIS (see below for details of 
paper submission) will give a 5 minute presentation. Finally, the panel 
will have an opportunity to ask the presenters questions.

Submission of Papers

    For Sessions I and III, interested persons may submit a paper to 
FSIS. For Session I, FSIS solicits papers detailing experiences and 
examples of innovative technologies that have improved food safety. For 
Session III, FSIS solicits papers presenting information on new 
technologies for reducing pathogens, especially Escherichia coli 
O157:H7. Papers should present information pertaining to effectiveness 
and cost of the technology, employee safety, and consumer acceptance of 
the technology. Session II consists of presentations from 
representatives from U.S. government agencies and a representative from 
a foreign country, and papers will not be presented.
    Selected persons submitting papers will be invited to give a 5 
minute presentation summarizing their paper. If the same subject is 
covered in more than one paper, FSIS will have the authors combine 
their presentation for a single 5 minute presentation or select the 
first paper submitted on the issue and have that author give a 
presentation.
    All papers must be received by March 31, 1995, to be considered for 
the conference. Please indicate if the paper is for Session I or 
Session III. Two copies of each paper should be submitted (See 
ADDRESSES), along with hard copies of any slides to be used in the 
presentation.

Availability of Information

    After the conference, the panel will prepare a report of the 
proceedings addressing the issues presented. This report will include 
information on how FSIS can assist in the development and introduction 
of new technologies to improve food safety. Any reports by the panel, 
transcripts of the conference, and copies of all the papers received 
will be available in the FSIS Docket Clerk's Office, Room 3171, South 
Agriculture Building, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250.

Attendance and Hotel Reservations

    Please call Ms. Betsy Kogan at (202) 205-0699 if you plan to attend 
the conference. Additionally, FSIS has reserved a block of rooms at the 
hotel for $85 per night. Reservations may be made by contacting the 
hotel at (708) 671-6350.

    Done at Washington, DC, on March 6, 1995.
Michael R. Taylor,
Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety.
[FR Doc. 95-5995 Filed 3-9-95; 8:45 am]
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