The Food Safety and Inspection Service has announced the availability of a Federal Register document that details the decision-making process that FSIS followed related to pet food scraps fed to swine and poultry that contained melamine and melamine-related compounds. This Federal Register document provides the public an opportunity to comment on those FSIS decisions. FSIS' public health decisions were made based on the best available scientific data and information. The document is available on public display today at the Office of the Federal Register, and an advance copy is available online. The document was published in the May 30, 2007 edition of the Federal Register.
In the same issue of the Federal Register, FDA issued a notice of availability of an interim safety/risk assessment related to melamine. Based on currently available data and information, this safety/risk assessment indicates that the consumption of pork, poultry, eggs, and domestic fish products produced when animal feed was contaminated with melamine and melamine-related compounds is very unlikely to pose a human health risk. The safety/risk assessment is available online.
Comments to the Federal Register associated with the FSIS issuance must be received by August 28, 2007. FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on the findings in this notice. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal. This website provides the ability to type short comments directly into the comment field or attach a file for lengthier comments. In the "Search for Open Regulations" box, select "Food Safety and Inspection Service" from the agency drop-down menu, then click on "Submit." In the Docket ID column, select FDMS Docket Number FSIS-2007-0018 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
• Mail, including floppy disks or CD-ROMs, and hand-or courier-delivered items. Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 300 12th Street, SW, Room 102 Cotton Annex, Washington, D.C., 20250.
• Electronic mail (FSIS.RegulationsComments@usda.gov).
All submissions received by mail or electronic mail must include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2007-0018. All comments submitted in response to this notice, as well as research and background information used by FSIS in developing this document, will be available for public inspection in the FSIS Docket Room at the address listed above between 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.
Comments will also be posted on the Agency's website.
