83_FR_34240 83 FR 34101 - Notice of Request for a New Information Collection: (Consumer Research on the Safe Handling Instructions Label for Raw and Partially Cooked Meat and Poultry Products and Labeling Statements for Ready-to-Eat and Not-Ready-to-Eat Products)

83 FR 34101 - Notice of Request for a New Information Collection: (Consumer Research on the Safe Handling Instructions Label for Raw and Partially Cooked Meat and Poultry Products and Labeling Statements for Ready-to-Eat and Not-Ready-to-Eat Products)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 139 (July 19, 2018)

Page Range34101-34103
FR Document2018-15462

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to collect information in the form of consumer research that will include a web- based experimental study and a behavior change study to help inform potential revisions to the current Safe Handling Instructions (SHI) label and assess whether a label revision would improve consumer food safety behaviors. FSIS also will collect information on consumer use and understanding of the labeling on ready-to-eat (RTE) and not-ready- to-eat (NRTE) meat and poultry products, in particular consumers' ability to discern between the two types of products and to ensure that NRTE products that may appear to be ready to eat are thoroughly cooked.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 139 (Thursday, July 19, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 139 (Thursday, July 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34101-34103]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15462]



[[Page 34101]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2018-0021]


Notice of Request for a New Information Collection: (Consumer 
Research on the Safe Handling Instructions Label for Raw and Partially 
Cooked Meat and Poultry Products and Labeling Statements for Ready-to-
Eat and Not-Ready-to-Eat Products)

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and 
Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing its intention to collect 
information in the form of consumer research that will include a web-
based experimental study and a behavior change study to help inform 
potential revisions to the current Safe Handling Instructions (SHI) 
label and assess whether a label revision would improve consumer food 
safety behaviors. FSIS also will collect information on consumer use 
and understanding of the labeling on ready-to-eat (RTE) and not-ready-
to-eat (NRTE) meat and poultry products, in particular consumers' 
ability to discern between the two types of products and to ensure that 
NRTE products that may appear to be ready to eat are thoroughly cooked.

DATES: Submit comments on or before September 17, 2018.

ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this 
Federal Register notice. Comments may be submitted by one of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides the 
ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this 
web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for 
submitting comments.
     Mail, including CD-ROMs, etc.: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Room 6065, Washington, DC 20250-
3700.
     Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2018-0021. Comments 
received in response to this docket will be made available for public 
inspection and posted without change, including any personal 
information, to http://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, 
call (202) 720-5627 to schedule a time to visit the FSIS Docket Room at 
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065, Washington, DC 20250-3700.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gina Kouba, Office of Policy and 
Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065, South Building, Washington, DC 
20250-3700; (202) 720-5627.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Consumer Research on the Safe Handling Instructions Label 
for Raw and Partially Cooked Meat and Poultry Products and Labeling 
Statements for Ready-to-Eat and Not-Ready-to-Eat Products.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Abstract: Safe handling instructions are required on the labels of 
raw or partially-cooked (i.e., not considered RTE) meat and poultry 
products, if the product is destined for household consumers or 
institutional uses (9 CFR 317.2(l) and 9 CFR 381.125(b)). FSIS first 
required the SHI label for raw and partially cooked meat and poultry 
products in 1994 (54 FR 14528). Since that time, the required design of 
the SHI label has not been changed.
    When the SHI label was developed in 1994, the minimal internal 
temperature requirements for determining whether a meat or poultry 
product was cooked enough to be safe varied by product. Given this, as 
well as product and label size limitations, FSIS concluded that ``Cook 
Thoroughly'' was the only simple, single statement appropriate to use 
for all products (54 FR 14538). FSIS now recommends on its website four 
internal minimal temperatures: One for all poultry (165 [deg]F), one 
for ground meat (160 [deg]F), one for all whole-muscle meat (145 [deg]F 
and hold for 3 minutes), and one for fish (145 [deg]F). With only four 
temperature recommendations, the information could be more easily 
incorporated into the SHI requirements. Other possible changes to the 
SHI label include incorporating updated icons and providing a web link 
or phone number for more information.
    In response to inquiries from consumer groups and other 
stakeholders about potential changes to SHI requirements, FSIS gathered 
input from members of academia, industry, and consumer stakeholders in 
November 2013. FSIS presented these suggestions to the National 
Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) in January 
2014. The NACMPI Subcommittee on Food Handling Labels recommended that 
FSIS pursue changes in the existing SHI label and conduct consumer 
research to determine the effectiveness of any revisions to the SHI 
label.
    In 2015, FSIS conducted six consumer focus groups (OMB No. 0583-
0166; 11/30/2017) to evaluate understanding of the current SHI label 
and responses to possible revisions. The focus groups revealed that 
consumers would find certain revisions to the SHI label useful. 
Participants suggested changes to improve comprehension and adherence 
to recommended safe handling practices (e.g., add recommendations to 
use a food thermometer and endpoint temperatures for different cuts of 
meat and poultry). Based on the results of these focus groups, FSIS 
determined that additional research using more rigorous, quantitative 
approaches with a larger sample of consumers was needed to help inform 
potential revisions to the current SHI label and assess whether a label 
revision would improve consumer food safety behaviors.
    In addition, during the March 2016 NACMPI meeting, the national 
advisory committee reviewed and discussed whether FSIS should pursue 
proposing mandatory features on the label of processed NRTE products 
that may appear to be fully cooked (e.g., are breaded or have grill 
marks). The committee recommended that FSIS require statements, such as 
``Raw, ``Uncooked,'' or ``Ready to Cook,'' on the labels of raw 
products that may appear RTE, so it is clear that these products 
require cooking to a proper internal temperature before eating. The 
committee also recommended that FSIS conduct consumer research to 
understand the optimal messaging and design of packaging to ensure 
consumers properly understand that NRTE products that may appear to be 
fully cooked need to be cooked for lethality. The committee stated that 
such labeling may help consumers properly distinguish between NRTE 
products, which require a lethality step, and RTE products, which do 
not require a lethality step; thus, the committee stated that this 
labeling may help consumers safely prepare NRTE products. Specifically, 
the committee suggested that FSIS conduct consumer research to evaluate 
the effectiveness of possible locations for point of purchase labeling 
information and various color

[[Page 34102]]

options, font, and other display options. FSIS has not previously 
conducted research on this topic.
    To assess whether revisions are needed to the SHI label required on 
all raw and partially cooked products and to evaluate the ability of 
consumers to properly discern between NRTE and RTE products and how 
labeling for these products can be improved, FSIS is requesting 
approval for a new information collection to conduct consumer behavior 
research. This research will include a web-based experimental study, as 
well as a behavior change study, which includes three components: An 
observational meal preparation experiment, an eye-tracking study, and 
in-depth interviews (IDIs). The research will help inform potential 
revisions to the current SHI label and assess whether a label revision 
would be likely to improve consumer behaviors related to safely 
preparing raw and partially cooked meat and poultry products. The study 
will also collect information on consumer use and understanding of 
labeling for RTE and NRTE meat and poultry products.
    FSIS has contracted with RTI International to conduct the web-based 
experimental study and the behavior change study. For the web-based 
experimental study, a selected sample of online consumer panel members 
will be invited to participate in the study via email. Inbound sampling 
will be used to select a sample of respondents with demographic 
characteristics (e.g., age, education level, race, and ethnicity) 
similar to the U.S. population. The primary aim of the web-based 
experimental study is to test 25 mock SHI labels that vary by visual 
design elements (e.g., borders, white space, spatial arrangement) to 
determine which labels are most salient to consumers. Label salience 
(i.e., participants' degree of attention to the label) will be assessed 
using a limited-time exposure approach with cued recall questions. 
Secondary aims of the study include assessing comprehension of safe 
handling instructions and safe handling icons and measuring the 
participants' motivation to comply with safe handling messages. The 
data from the experimental study will be analyzed to identify the five 
SHI labels that best attract respondents' attention, and from these, 
three labels will be selected for further testing in the behavior 
change study.
    To assess and compare consumer behavior in response to the current 
SHI label (control) and the three alternative SHI labels, a behavior 
change study will be conducted in test kitchen facilities located in 
four different locations (one in each of four Census regions). 
Participants will be recruited using convenience sampling (e.g., by 
posting ads on social media). The study will ensure a diverse sample of 
participants with respect to race, ethnicity, age, education level, and 
presence of a child (0-17 years) in the household. The study will use a 
fully randomized experimental design with participants randomly 
assigned to one of three treatment groups (that will be used to assess 
three alternative SHIs) or a control group (that will be used to assess 
the current SHI). Participants will be given recipes and ingredients, 
including two raw meat products bearing the assigned SHI label and 
asked to prepare two meat dishes and a salad. To assess attention to 
the SHI label during meal preparation, participants will wear a mobile 
eye-tracking device. Research staff will video-record meal preparation 
and clean-up. Trained researchers will subsequently view the videos and 
use a coding rubric to assess adherence to the recommended safe 
handling instructions (e.g., washing hands before meal preparation and 
after touching raw meat). Statistical analysis comparing the 
differences in handling behavior scores between the control (current 
SHI label) and treatment groups will be conducted to identify the label 
that may most effectively lead to participants' following the safe 
handling practices on the label.
    Following meal preparation, participants will be directed to 
examine each of six mock meat and poultry products (i.e., stimuli) 
while wearing the eye-tracking device: Two RTE products, two NRTE 
products that appear ready to eat, and two raw products. Participants 
will be asked to complete a series of search tasks to determine which 
version of the SHI label (three treatment versions or the current 
label) is most often attended to on a meat and poultry package and to 
assess whether participants can properly distinguish between RTE and 
NRTE products that appear to be ready to eat. Eye-tracking metrics for 
each area of interest (AOI), including total time spent viewing each 
AOI, will be produced and used in statistical analyses to determine the 
label that best captures participants' attention.
    Lastly, participants will take part in an IDI and be asked 
debriefing questions regarding the meal preparation experiment and 
questions to understand how consumers determine whether a meat or 
poultry product needs to be cooked before eating it. The data will be 
analyzed by analysts using a thematic content analysis approach.
    Estimate of Burden: For the pretest for the web-based experimental 
study, it is expected that 1,700 individuals will receive email 
invitations to complete the study and that 100 will be eligible and 
subsequently complete the study. For the web-based experimental study, 
it is expected that 70,000 individuals will receive email invitations 
to complete the study and that 3,600 will be eligible and subsequently 
complete the study. The invitation email for the pretest and the full-
scale study is expected to take 2 minutes to read (0.033 hour). The 
survey is expected to take 20 minutes to complete. The total estimated 
burden of the web-based experimental study is 3,623.3 hours.
    For the behavior change study, it is expected that 1,695 
individuals will complete the screener and that 565 will be eligible 
and subsequently be contacted by phone to schedule an appointment. Of 
these, it is assumed that 480 will take part in the study. Each 
screening is expected to take 8 minutes (0.133 hour). It is expected to 
take 7 minutes (0.117 hour) to read or listen to each appointment call/
confirmation email/reminder call. It is expected to take 10 minutes 
(0.167 hour) to read the informed consent form and watch the 
instructional video. Taking part in the behavior change study will take 
a total of 140 minutes (2.333 hours), which includes an observational 
meal preparation experiment (80 minutes), an eye-tracking component (30 
minutes), and IDIs (30 minutes). The estimated annual reporting burden 
for the behavior change study is 1,491.9 hours, which is the sum of the 
burden estimates for each component of the study (including the burden 
for individuals who initially complete the screener but are not 
eligible or do not agree to participate).
    For all components of the information collection, the estimated 
total number of individuals to be screened is 73,395, and the estimated 
total number of individuals to complete the web-based experimental 
study, including pretest, and the behavior change study is 4,180. The 
estimated total burden for the information collection is 5,115.2 hours.

[[Page 34103]]



                          Estimated Annual Reporting Burden for the Web-Based Experimental Study and the Behavior Change Study
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Estimated        Annual
               Study component                    Number of    frequency  per   Total annual               Hours per response               Total hours
                                                 respondents      response        responses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Web-Based Experimental Study
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pretest invitation...........................           1,700               1           1,700  0.033 (2 min.)...........................            56.7
Pretest......................................             100               1             100  0.333 (20 min.)..........................            33.3
Survey invitation............................          70,000               1          70,000  0.033 (2 min.)...........................         2,333.3
Survey.......................................           3,600               1           3,600  0.333 (20 min.)..........................         1,200.0
                                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total....................................  ..............  ..............  ..............  .........................................         3,623.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Behavior Change Study
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Screening questionnaire......................           1,695               1           1,695  0.133 (8 min.)...........................           226.0
Appointment phone script, confirmation email,             565               1             565  0.117 (7 min.)...........................            65.9
 reminder phone script.
Consent form and video.......................             480               1             480  0.167 (10 min.)..........................            80.0
Meal Preparation, eye-tracking & in-depth                 480               1             480  2.333 (140 min.).........................         1,120.0
 interviews.
                                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total....................................  ..............  ..............  ..............  .........................................         1,491.9
                                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total................................  ..............  ..............  ..............  .........................................         5,115.2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Respondents: Consumers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 73,395.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Burden on Respondents: 5,115.2 hours.
    Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained 
from Gina Kouba, Office of Policy and Program Development, Food Safety 
and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065, 
South Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700; (202) 720-5627.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS's 
functions, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of FSIS's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
method and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information, including through 
the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques, or other forms of information 
technology. Comments may be sent to both FSIS, at the addresses 
provided above, and the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
Washington, DC 20253.
    Responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

Additional Public Notification

    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, FSIS will announce this Federal 
Register publication on-line through the FSIS web page located at: 
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.
    FSIS also will make copies of this publication available through 
the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide information 
regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal Register 
notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information that 
could affect or would be of interest to our constituents and 
stakeholders. The Update is available on the FSIS web page. Through the 
web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a much broader, more 
diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an email subscription 
service which provides automatic and customized access to selected food 
safety news and information. This service is available at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe. Options range from recalls to export 
information, regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add or 
delete subscriptions themselves, and have the option to password 
protect their accounts.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

    No agency, officer, or employee of the USDA shall, on the grounds 
of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual 
orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, 
income derived from a public assistance program, or political beliefs, 
exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to 
discrimination any person in the United States under any program or 
activity conducted by the USDA.

How To File a Complaint of Discrimination

    To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program 
Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you or your 
authorized representative.
    Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, 
or email:
    Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of 
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410.
    Fax: (202) 690-7442.
    Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should contact 
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

Paul Kiecker,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-15462 Filed 7-18-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P



                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 139 / Thursday, July 19, 2018 / Notices                                           34101

                                                DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                                Agency name and docket number FSIS–                   members of academia, industry, and
                                                                                                         2018–0021. Comments received in                       consumer stakeholders in November
                                                Food Safety and Inspection Service                       response to this docket will be made                  2013. FSIS presented these suggestions
                                                                                                         available for public inspection and                   to the National Advisory Committee on
                                                [Docket No. FSIS–2018–0021]
                                                                                                         posted without change, including any                  Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI)
                                                Notice of Request for a New                              personal information, to http://                      in January 2014. The NACMPI
                                                Information Collection: (Consumer                        www.regulations.gov.                                  Subcommittee on Food Handling Labels
                                                Research on the Safe Handling                               Docket: For access to background                   recommended that FSIS pursue changes
                                                Instructions Label for Raw and                           documents or comments received, call                  in the existing SHI label and conduct
                                                Partially Cooked Meat and Poultry                        (202) 720–5627 to schedule a time to                  consumer research to determine the
                                                Products and Labeling Statements for                     visit the FSIS Docket Room at 1400                    effectiveness of any revisions to the SHI
                                                Ready-to-Eat and Not-Ready-to-Eat                        Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065,                    label.
                                                                                                         Washington, DC 20250–3700.                               In 2015, FSIS conducted six consumer
                                                Products)
                                                                                                         FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gina                 focus groups (OMB No. 0583–0166; 11/
                                                AGENCY:  Food Safety and Inspection                      Kouba, Office of Policy and Program                   30/2017) to evaluate understanding of
                                                Service, USDA.                                           Development, Food Safety and                          the current SHI label and responses to
                                                ACTION: Notice and request for                           Inspection Service, USDA, 1400                        possible revisions. The focus groups
                                                comments.                                                Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065,                    revealed that consumers would find
                                                                                                         South Building, Washington, DC 20250–                 certain revisions to the SHI label useful.
                                                SUMMARY:    In accordance with the                       3700; (202) 720–5627.                                 Participants suggested changes to
                                                Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and                                                                            improve comprehension and adherence
                                                                                                         SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                Office of Management and Budget                                                                                to recommended safe handling practices
                                                                                                            Title: Consumer Research on the Safe               (e.g., add recommendations to use a
                                                (OMB) regulations, the Food Safety and
                                                                                                         Handling Instructions Label for Raw and               food thermometer and endpoint
                                                Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing
                                                                                                         Partially Cooked Meat and Poultry                     temperatures for different cuts of meat
                                                its intention to collect information in
                                                                                                         Products and Labeling Statements for                  and poultry). Based on the results of
                                                the form of consumer research that will
                                                                                                         Ready-to-Eat and Not-Ready-to-Eat                     these focus groups, FSIS determined
                                                include a web-based experimental study
                                                                                                         Products.                                             that additional research using more
                                                and a behavior change study to help
                                                                                                            Type of Request: New information                   rigorous, quantitative approaches with a
                                                inform potential revisions to the current
                                                                                                         collection.                                           larger sample of consumers was needed
                                                Safe Handling Instructions (SHI) label                      Abstract: Safe handling instructions
                                                and assess whether a label revision                                                                            to help inform potential revisions to the
                                                                                                         are required on the labels of raw or                  current SHI label and assess whether a
                                                would improve consumer food safety                       partially-cooked (i.e., not considered
                                                behaviors. FSIS also will collect                                                                              label revision would improve consumer
                                                                                                         RTE) meat and poultry products, if the                food safety behaviors.
                                                information on consumer use and                          product is destined for household
                                                understanding of the labeling on ready-                                                                           In addition, during the March 2016
                                                                                                         consumers or institutional uses (9 CFR                NACMPI meeting, the national advisory
                                                to-eat (RTE) and not-ready-to-eat (NRTE)                 317.2(l) and 9 CFR 381.125(b)). FSIS
                                                meat and poultry products, in particular                                                                       committee reviewed and discussed
                                                                                                         first required the SHI label for raw and              whether FSIS should pursue proposing
                                                consumers’ ability to discern between                    partially cooked meat and poultry
                                                the two types of products and to ensure                                                                        mandatory features on the label of
                                                                                                         products in 1994 (54 FR 14528). Since                 processed NRTE products that may
                                                that NRTE products that may appear to                    that time, the required design of the SHI
                                                be ready to eat are thoroughly cooked.                                                                         appear to be fully cooked (e.g., are
                                                                                                         label has not been changed.                           breaded or have grill marks). The
                                                DATES: Submit comments on or before                         When the SHI label was developed in                committee recommended that FSIS
                                                September 17, 2018.                                      1994, the minimal internal temperature                require statements, such as ‘‘Raw,
                                                ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested                       requirements for determining whether a                ‘‘Uncooked,’’ or ‘‘Ready to Cook,’’ on
                                                persons to submit comments on this                       meat or poultry product was cooked                    the labels of raw products that may
                                                Federal Register notice. Comments may                    enough to be safe varied by product.                  appear RTE, so it is clear that these
                                                be submitted by one of the following                     Given this, as well as product and label              products require cooking to a proper
                                                methods:                                                 size limitations, FSIS concluded that                 internal temperature before eating. The
                                                   • Federal eRulemaking Portal: This                    ‘‘Cook Thoroughly’’ was the only                      committee also recommended that FSIS
                                                website provides the ability to type                     simple, single statement appropriate to               conduct consumer research to
                                                short comments directly into the                         use for all products (54 FR 14538). FSIS              understand the optimal messaging and
                                                comment field on this web page or                        now recommends on its website four                    design of packaging to ensure
                                                attach a file for lengthier comments. Go                 internal minimal temperatures: One for                consumers properly understand that
                                                to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow                    all poultry (165 °F), one for ground meat             NRTE products that may appear to be
                                                the on-line instructions at that site for                (160 °F), one for all whole-muscle meat               fully cooked need to be cooked for
                                                submitting comments.                                     (145 °F and hold for 3 minutes), and one              lethality. The committee stated that
                                                   • Mail, including CD–ROMs, etc.:                      for fish (145 °F). With only four                     such labeling may help consumers
                                                Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department                    temperature recommendations, the                      properly distinguish between NRTE
                                                of Agriculture, Food Safety and                          information could be more easily                      products, which require a lethality step,
                                                Inspection Service, 1400 Independence                    incorporated into the SHI requirements.               and RTE products, which do not require
                                                Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Room 6065,                     Other possible changes to the SHI label
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                                                               a lethality step; thus, the committee
                                                Washington, DC 20250–3700.                               include incorporating updated icons                   stated that this labeling may help
                                                   • Hand- or courier-delivered                          and providing a web link or phone                     consumers safely prepare NRTE
                                                submittals: Deliver to 1400                              number for more information.                          products. Specifically, the committee
                                                Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065,                          In response to inquiries from                      suggested that FSIS conduct consumer
                                                Washington, DC 20250–3700.                               consumer groups and other stakeholders                research to evaluate the effectiveness of
                                                   Instructions: All items submitted by                  about potential changes to SHI                        possible locations for point of purchase
                                                mail or electronic mail must include the                 requirements, FSIS gathered input from                labeling information and various color


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:34 Jul 18, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00004   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\19JYN1.SGM   19JYN1


                                                34102                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 139 / Thursday, July 19, 2018 / Notices

                                                options, font, and other display options.                SHI labels, a behavior change study will              regarding the meal preparation
                                                FSIS has not previously conducted                        be conducted in test kitchen facilities               experiment and questions to understand
                                                research on this topic.                                  located in four different locations (one              how consumers determine whether a
                                                   To assess whether revisions are                       in each of four Census regions).                      meat or poultry product needs to be
                                                needed to the SHI label required on all                  Participants will be recruited using                  cooked before eating it. The data will be
                                                raw and partially cooked products and                    convenience sampling (e.g., by posting                analyzed by analysts using a thematic
                                                to evaluate the ability of consumers to                  ads on social media). The study will                  content analysis approach.
                                                properly discern between NRTE and                        ensure a diverse sample of participants                  Estimate of Burden: For the pretest for
                                                RTE products and how labeling for                        with respect to race, ethnicity, age,
                                                                                                                                                               the web-based experimental study, it is
                                                these products can be improved, FSIS is                  education level, and presence of a child
                                                requesting approval for a new                                                                                  expected that 1,700 individuals will
                                                                                                         (0–17 years) in the household. The
                                                information collection to conduct                                                                              receive email invitations to complete
                                                                                                         study will use a fully randomized
                                                consumer behavior research. This                                                                               the study and that 100 will be eligible
                                                                                                         experimental design with participants
                                                research will include a web-based                        randomly assigned to one of three                     and subsequently complete the study.
                                                experimental study, as well as a                         treatment groups (that will be used to                For the web-based experimental study,
                                                behavior change study, which includes                    assess three alternative SHIs) or a                   it is expected that 70,000 individuals
                                                three components: An observational                       control group (that will be used to                   will receive email invitations to
                                                meal preparation experiment, an eye-                     assess the current SHI). Participants will            complete the study and that 3,600 will
                                                tracking study, and in-depth interviews                  be given recipes and ingredients,                     be eligible and subsequently complete
                                                (IDIs). The research will help inform                    including two raw meat products                       the study. The invitation email for the
                                                potential revisions to the current SHI                   bearing the assigned SHI label and                    pretest and the full-scale study is
                                                label and assess whether a label revision                asked to prepare two meat dishes and a                expected to take 2 minutes to read
                                                would be likely to improve consumer                      salad. To assess attention to the SHI                 (0.033 hour). The survey is expected to
                                                behaviors related to safely preparing                    label during meal preparation,                        take 20 minutes to complete. The total
                                                raw and partially cooked meat and                        participants will wear a mobile eye-                  estimated burden of the web-based
                                                poultry products. The study will also                    tracking device. Research staff will                  experimental study is 3,623.3 hours.
                                                collect information on consumer use                      video-record meal preparation and                        For the behavior change study, it is
                                                and understanding of labeling for RTE                    clean-up. Trained researchers will                    expected that 1,695 individuals will
                                                and NRTE meat and poultry products.                      subsequently view the videos and use a                complete the screener and that 565 will
                                                   FSIS has contracted with RTI                          coding rubric to assess adherence to the              be eligible and subsequently be
                                                International to conduct the web-based                   recommended safe handling                             contacted by phone to schedule an
                                                experimental study and the behavior                      instructions (e.g., washing hands before              appointment. Of these, it is assumed
                                                change study. For the web-based                          meal preparation and after touching raw               that 480 will take part in the study. Each
                                                experimental study, a selected sample of                 meat). Statistical analysis comparing the             screening is expected to take 8 minutes
                                                online consumer panel members will be                    differences in handling behavior scores               (0.133 hour). It is expected to take 7
                                                invited to participate in the study via                  between the control (current SHI label)               minutes (0.117 hour) to read or listen to
                                                email. Inbound sampling will be used to                  and treatment groups will be conducted                each appointment call/confirmation
                                                select a sample of respondents with                      to identify the label that may most                   email/reminder call. It is expected to
                                                demographic characteristics (e.g., age,                  effectively lead to participants’                     take 10 minutes (0.167 hour) to read the
                                                education level, race, and ethnicity)                    following the safe handling practices on              informed consent form and watch the
                                                similar to the U.S. population. The                      the label.                                            instructional video. Taking part in the
                                                primary aim of the web-based                                Following meal preparation,
                                                experimental study is to test 25 mock                                                                          behavior change study will take a total
                                                                                                         participants will be directed to examine
                                                SHI labels that vary by visual design                                                                          of 140 minutes (2.333 hours), which
                                                                                                         each of six mock meat and poultry
                                                elements (e.g., borders, white space,                                                                          includes an observational meal
                                                                                                         products (i.e., stimuli) while wearing
                                                spatial arrangement) to determine which                                                                        preparation experiment (80 minutes), an
                                                                                                         the eye-tracking device: Two RTE
                                                labels are most salient to consumers.                                                                          eye-tracking component (30 minutes),
                                                                                                         products, two NRTE products that
                                                Label salience (i.e., participants’ degree                                                                     and IDIs (30 minutes). The estimated
                                                                                                         appear ready to eat, and two raw
                                                of attention to the label) will be assessed              products. Participants will be asked to               annual reporting burden for the
                                                using a limited-time exposure approach                   complete a series of search tasks to                  behavior change study is 1,491.9 hours,
                                                with cued recall questions. Secondary                    determine which version of the SHI                    which is the sum of the burden
                                                aims of the study include assessing                      label (three treatment versions or the                estimates for each component of the
                                                comprehension of safe handling                           current label) is most often attended to              study (including the burden for
                                                instructions and safe handling icons and                 on a meat and poultry package and to                  individuals who initially complete the
                                                measuring the participants’ motivation                   assess whether participants can                       screener but are not eligible or do not
                                                to comply with safe handling messages.                   properly distinguish between RTE and                  agree to participate).
                                                The data from the experimental study                     NRTE products that appear to be ready                    For all components of the information
                                                will be analyzed to identify the five SHI                to eat. Eye-tracking metrics for each area            collection, the estimated total number of
                                                labels that best attract respondents’                    of interest (AOI), including total time               individuals to be screened is 73,395,
                                                attention, and from these, three labels                  spent viewing each AOI, will be                       and the estimated total number of
                                                will be selected for further testing in the              produced and used in statistical                      individuals to complete the web-based
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                behavior change study.                                   analyses to determine the label that best             experimental study, including pretest,
                                                   To assess and compare consumer                        captures participants’ attention.                     and the behavior change study is 4,180.
                                                behavior in response to the current SHI                     Lastly, participants will take part in             The estimated total burden for the
                                                label (control) and the three alternative                an IDI and be asked debriefing questions              information collection is 5,115.2 hours.




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                                                                                         Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 139 / Thursday, July 19, 2018 / Notices                                                                                               34103

                                                      ESTIMATED ANNUAL REPORTING BURDEN FOR THE WEB-BASED EXPERIMENTAL STUDY AND THE BEHAVIOR CHANGE
                                                                                                  STUDY
                                                                                                                                        Estimated                    Annual                  Total annual
                                                                          Study component                                               Number of                  frequency                                           Hours per response                  Total hours
                                                                                                                                                                                              responses
                                                                                                                                       respondents                per response

                                                                                                                                      Web-Based Experimental Study

                                                Pretest invitation .........................................................                        1,700                             1                   1,700        0.033    (2 min.) .........                 56.7
                                                Pretest ........................................................................                      100                             1                     100        0.333    (20 min.) .......                  33.3
                                                Survey invitation .........................................................                        70,000                             1                  70,000        0.033    (2 min.) .........              2,333.3
                                                Survey .........................................................................                    3,600                             1                   3,600        0.333    (20 min.) .......               1,200.0

                                                      Total .....................................................................     ........................   ........................   ........................   .................................        3,623.3

                                                                                                                                             Behavior Change Study

                                                Screening questionnaire .............................................                                1,695                             1                  1,695        0.133 (8 min.) .........                   226.0
                                                Appointment phone script, confirmation email, re-                                                      565                             1                    565        0.117 (7 min.) .........                    65.9
                                                  minder phone script.
                                                Consent form and video .............................................                                    480                           1                       480      0.167 (10 min.) .......                     80.0
                                                Meal Preparation, eye-tracking & in-depth interviews                                                    480                           1                       480      2.333 (140 min.) .....                   1,120.0

                                                      Total .....................................................................     ........................   ........................   ........................   .................................        1,491.9

                                                             Total .............................................................      ........................   ........................   ........................   .................................        5,115.2



                                                   Respondents: Consumers.                                                 for OMB approval. All comments will                                           disability, age, marital status, family/
                                                   Estimated Number of Respondents:                                        also become a matter of public record.                                        parental status, income derived from a
                                                73,395.                                                                    Additional Public Notification                                                public assistance program, or political
                                                   Estimated Number of Annual                                                                                                                            beliefs, exclude from participation in,
                                                Responses per Respondent: 1.                                                 Public awareness of all segments of                                         deny the benefits of, or subject to
                                                                                                                           rulemaking and policy development is                                          discrimination any person in the United
                                                   Estimated Total Burden on
                                                                                                                           important. Consequently, FSIS will                                            States under any program or activity
                                                Respondents: 5,115.2 hours.
                                                                                                                           announce this Federal Register                                                conducted by the USDA.
                                                   Copies of this information collection                                   publication on-line through the FSIS
                                                assessment can be obtained from Gina                                       web page located at: http://                                                  How To File a Complaint of
                                                Kouba, Office of Policy and Program                                        www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.                                           Discrimination
                                                Development, Food Safety and                                                 FSIS also will make copies of this
                                                Inspection Service, USDA, 1400                                             publication available through the FSIS                                           To file a complaint of discrimination,
                                                Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065,                                         Constituent Update, which is used to                                          complete the USDA Program
                                                South Building, Washington, DC 20250–                                      provide information regarding FSIS                                            Discrimination Complaint Form, which
                                                3700; (202) 720–5627.                                                      policies, procedures, regulations,                                            may be accessed online at http://
                                                   Comments are invited on: (a) Whether                                    Federal Register notices, FSIS public                                         www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/
                                                the proposed collection of information                                     meetings, and other types of information                                      docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_
                                                is necessary for the proper performance                                    that could affect or would be of interest                                     12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you
                                                of FSIS’s functions, including whether                                     to our constituents and stakeholders.                                         or your authorized representative.
                                                the information will have practical                                        The Update is available on the FSIS web
                                                utility; (b) the accuracy of FSIS’s                                                                                                                         Send your completed complaint form
                                                                                                                           page. Through the web page, FSIS is                                           or letter to USDA by mail, fax, or email:
                                                estimate of the burden of the proposed                                     able to provide information to a much
                                                collection of information, including the                                   broader, more diverse audience. In                                               Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
                                                validity of the method and assumptions                                     addition, FSIS offers an email                                                Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400
                                                used; (c) ways to enhance the quality,                                     subscription service which provides                                           Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
                                                utility, and clarity of the information to                                 automatic and customized access to                                            DC 20250–9410.
                                                be collected; and (d) ways to minimize                                     selected food safety news and                                                    Fax: (202) 690–7442.
                                                the burden of the collection of                                            information. This service is available at:
                                                information, including through the use                                                                                                                      Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
                                                                                                                           http://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe.
                                                of appropriate automated, electronic,                                      Options range from recalls to export                                             Persons with disabilities who require
                                                mechanical, or other technological                                         information, regulations, directives, and                                     alternative means for communication
                                                collection techniques, or other forms of                                   notices. Customers can add or delete                                          (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.),
                                                information technology. Comments may                                       subscriptions themselves, and have the                                        should contact USDA’s TARGET Center
                                                be sent to both FSIS, at the addresses
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                           option to password protect their                                              at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).
                                                provided above, and the Desk Officer for                                   accounts.
                                                Agriculture, Office of Information and                                                                                                                   Paul Kiecker,
                                                Regulatory Affairs, Office of                                              USDA Non-Discrimination Statement                                             Acting Administrator.
                                                Management and Budget, Washington,                                           No agency, officer, or employee of the                                      [FR Doc. 2018–15462 Filed 7–18–18; 8:45 am]
                                                DC 20253.                                                                  USDA shall, on the grounds of race,                                           BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P
                                                   Responses to this notice will be                                        color, national origin, religion, sex,
                                                summarized and included in the request                                     gender identity, sexual orientation,


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Document Created: 2018-07-19 01:35:18
Document Modified: 2018-07-19 01:35:18
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice and request for comments.
DatesSubmit comments on or before September 17, 2018.
ContactGina Kouba, Office of Policy and Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700; (202) 720-5627.
FR Citation83 FR 34101 

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