Congressional and Public Affairs
Carol Blake (202) 720-9113
carol.blake@usda.gov
Marianne Elbertson (202) 720-9113
marianne.elbertson@dchqexs1.hqnet.usda.gov

        WASHINGTON, May 15, 2000-The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has received a petition from several meat and poultry trade associations to amend sections of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point regulations. FSIS wants the public to be aware of the petition and will accept comments from all interested persons.

        The petition recommends that FSIS recognize prerequisite programs, such as good manufacturing practices, as components of the HACCP system. It suggests changing some definitions contained in the HACCP regulations such as "hazard," "hazard analysis," "severity," and "shipped." Furthermore, the petitioners request amending the regulations to provide that a HACCP system be found inadequate only when adulterated product has been shipped.

        The petition was signed by the American Meat Institute, American Association of Meat Processors, National Chicken Council, National Food Processors Association, National Meat Association, National Turkey Federation, and the North American Meat Processors. The text of the petition is printed in today’s Federal Register notice which can be accessed through the FSIS website.

        Written comments may be submitted to FSIS Docket Clerk, Docket #00-014N, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Room 102, Cotton Annex, 300 12th St., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-3700. Comments must be received by July 14. All comments will be available for public inspection in the Docket Clerk’s Office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.