Procedures for Appealing Product Retentions

요약

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to amend the Federal meat and poultry products inspection regulations to require appeals above the circuit supervisor level that are related to disposition of retained meat and poultry product to be made in writing; provide that an establishment has 20 calendar days to appeal a retention, recondition or rework product, or properly dispose of the product; and establish procedures to ensure appropriate disposition of product immediately after a decision has been reached on an appeal. The proposal also would allow establishments to accumulate retained product for the purpose of re-examination with specialized detecting equipment provided written procedures for such activity are approved by the Regional Director. This proposal rule responds to recommendations from USDA's Office of Inspector General.