A group representing a significant segment of the food industry recently sent a
letter to the Food
Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) requesting the agency grant a 60-day
extension to the
comment period for its supplemental proposed rule on ground and single
ingredient meat and poultry
products, 74 Fed. Reg. 67736 (Dec. 18, 2009). The signatories, comprised of AMI,
Food Marketing
Institute, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Chicken Council,
National Grocers
Association and National Turkey Federation explain that they need the extension
in order to fully
respond to the proposal, because they intend to conduct research, gather
information from our
memberships, and analyze the results and responses.
The letter notes that the associations represent a substantial portion of the
meat and poultry
production and food wholesale and retail communities and they are committed to
participating fully in
this rulemaking. Nonetheless, the 60-day comment period provided for in the
supplemental proposal
included some of the heaviest commercial activity for our members, they
explain. Although we have
already begun collecting information from our members, it has become apparent
that we will not be
able to respond fully by February 16, 2010.
To see a copy of the letter in its entirety, click here:
http://www.meatami.com/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/56801
Source:
American Meat Institute