FSIS to Host Public Meeting to Discuss the Use of Animal Raising Claims in the L

[2008-12-23 17:06:48]

Congressional and Public Affairs

(202) 720-9113

Amanda Eamich



WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2008 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced a public meeting to initiate a public process to review its policies on the use of animal raising claims in the labeling of meat and poultry products.



The public meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, 480 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, D.C. 20024. FSIS and the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will host the public meeting to discuss the issue and solicit public comments. The agenda and other related will be available prior to the meeting on FSIS' Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/ .



FSIS approves animal raising claims in the labeling of meat and poultry products if the animal production information submitted with the label application supports the claims being made and the claim is truthful and not misleading. Recent events concerning labeling claims related to the use of antibiotics in the raising of poultry illustrate the complex issues associated with such claims and led FSIS to review its policies on related claims to ensure that they are truthful and not misleading.



Individuals are encouraged to pre-register to attend, and should visit www.fsis.usda.gov or contact Sheila Johnson at (202) 690-6498 or by e-mail at Sheila.Johnson@fsis.usda.gov . Persons requiring a sign language interpreter or other special accommodations should notify Sheila Johnson as soon as possible.



For further information, contact Charles Gioglio, Director, Labeling and Program Delivery Division, Office of Policy and Program Development, FSIS at (202) 205-0279 or by e-mail at Charles.Gioglio@fsis.usda.gov .



Written comments on this notice and issues discussed at the public meeting must be received on or before Nov. 14, 2008. Comments can be sent to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Room 2534 South Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 20250, or submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov. Go to http://www.regulations.gov and in the "Search for Open Regulations" box, select "Food Safety and Inspection Service" and "Proposed Rules" from the agency drop-down menu and then click on "Submit." In the Docket ID column, select the FDMS Docket Number to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. After the close of the comment period, the docket can be viewed using the "Advanced Search" function in Regulations.gov. All submissions received by mail or electronic mail must reference FSIS and include the docket number FSIS-2008-0026.
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Last Modified: October 8, 2008
Source: FSIS
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