80 FR 36759 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 123 (June 26, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 123 (Friday, June 26, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36759-36760]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-15664]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

June 22, 2015.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8958.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Food Safety and Inspection Service

    Title: Professional Services to Support Requirements Gathering 
Sessions for Safe Food Handling.
    OMB Control Number: 0583-New.
    Summary of Collection: The Food Safety and Inspection Service 
(FSIS) has been delegated the authority to exercise the functions of 
the Secretary of Agriculture (7 CFR 2.18, 2.53) as specified in the 
Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 
U.S.C. 453 et seq., 601 et seq.). FSIS protects the public by verifying 
that meat and poultry products are wholesome, not adulterated, and 
properly marked, labeled, and packaged. The FSIS Office of Public 
Affairs and Consumer Education (OPACE) ensures that all segments of the 
farm-to-table chain receive valuable food safety information. Through 
its consumer education programs developed by OPACE's Food Safety 
Education Staff, the public is educated on how to safely handle, 
prepare, and store meat, poultry, and egg products to minimize 
incidence of foodborne illness. Safe-handling instructions (SHI) are 
required on a product if the product's meat or poultry component is raw 
or partially cooked (i.e., not considered ready-to-eat) and if the 
product is destined for household consumers or institutional uses (9 
CFR 317.2(1) [meat]; 9 CFR 381.125(b) [poultry]).
    Need and Use of the Information: FSIS has contracted with RTI 
International to conduct six consumer focus groups to gather 
information on consumers' understanding and use of the current SHI and 
responses to possible revisions to the SHI. Participants will be asked 
to complete pre- and post-discussion questionnaires. The purpose of 
each questionnaire is to collect information on participants' current 
awareness and use of the SHI and the likelihood they would change their 
behaviors if the SHI label is revised. FSIS will use the findings of 
the focus groups to understand consumers' knowledge and use of the 
current SHI for raw and partially cooked meat and poultry products and 
consumers' responses to possible revisions to the SHI. The lack of 
understanding would impede the Agency's ability to provide more useful 
information to consumers to help reduce foodborne illness in the United 
States.

[[Page 36760]]

    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 480.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (once).
    Total Burden Hours: 157.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-15664 Filed 6-25-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P