Notice2026-06010
Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Laboratory Assessment Requests
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 27, 2026
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentFood Safety and Inspection Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, FSIS is announcing its intention to request a renewal of the approved information collection for non-FSIS laboratories (state, local, or private) that test food samples during illness outbreaks and recall investigations. There are no changes to the existing information collection. The approval for this information collection will expire on August 31, 2026.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 59 (Friday, March 27, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 59 (Friday, March 27, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14806-14807]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06010]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. FSIS-2026-0069]
Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection:
Laboratory Assessment Requests
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, FSIS is announcing
its intention to request a renewal of the approved information
collection for non-FSIS laboratories (state, local, or private) that
test food samples during illness outbreaks and recall investigations.
There are no changes to the existing information collection. The
approval for this information collection will expire on August 31,
2026.
DATES: Submit comments on or before May 26, 2026.
ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this
Federal Register notice. Comments may be submitted by one of the
following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides
commenters the ability to type short comments directly into the comment
field on the web page or to attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the online instructions at that
site for submitting comments.
<bullet> Mail: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence
Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
<bullet> Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 350-E,
Washington, DC 20250-3700.
Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2026-0069. Comments
received in response to this docket will be made available for public
inspection and posted without change, including any personal
information, to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Docket: For access to background documents or comments received,
call (202) 286-2255 to schedule a time to visit the FSIS Docket Room at
1400 Independence Avenue SW, 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, Mailstop 3758, South Building, Washington, DC
20250-3700; 202-720-5046.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Laboratory Assessment Requests.
OMB Number: 0583-0183.
Type of Request: Renewal of an approved information collection.
Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the
functions of the Secretary (7 CFR 2.18 and 2.53), as specified in the
Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Poultry
Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.), and the Egg
Products Inspection Act (EPIA) (21 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.). These statutes
mandate that FSIS protect the public by verifying that meat, poultry,
and egg products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled.
FSIS is announcing its intention to renew the approved information
collection for non-FSIS laboratories (State, local, or private) that
test food samples during illness outbreak and recall investigations.
There are no changes to the existing information collection. The
approval for this information collection will expire on August 31,
2026.
As a public health regulatory agency, FSIS investigates reports of
foodborne illness, contamination, and adulteration potentially
associated with FSIS-regulated products. During these investigations,
non-FSIS laboratories may test FSIS-regulated product and share the
results with FSIS. FSIS Office of Public Health Science (OPHS)
Microbiological and Chemical Hazards Staff (MCHS) will review the
results and associated documentation shared by the non-FSIS laboratory
to determine whether FSIS will accept the results. If the MCHS lead
investigator determines the non-FSIS laboratory result is acceptable,
FSIS may use the result to inform regulatory action (e.g., request a
recall or detain product).
As part of the process to determine if the non-FSIS laboratory
result is acceptable, the MCHS lead investigator collects information
from the non-FSIS laboratory and verifies that the non-FSIS laboratory
can provide the appropriate certifications and documentation of
accreditation, such as ISO 17025, or another third-party accreditation
entity covering the methods performed. The MCHS lead investigator also
verifies that the laboratory has submitted to FSIS all the necessary
information, including evidence of chain of custody, and the
appropriate laboratory reports with sample identification, final
results, and authorization by the responsible official for affirming
results. Finally, the MCHS investigator collects and verifies
laboratory methods and quality-assurance records documentation from the
accredited, non-FSIS laboratory.
FSIS has made the estimates below based on an information
collection assessment.
Respondents: Non-FSIS laboratories.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 3.
Estimated Number of Annual Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 22.5 hours.
All 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. 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,
Mailstop 3758, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700; 202-720-5046.
Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS' functions,
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the
accuracy of FSIS' 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 (OMB), Washington, DC 20253.
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
[[Page 14807]]
web page located at: <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register</a>.
FSIS will also announce and provide a link to this Federal Register
publication 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 Constituent Update is available on
the FSIS web page. Through the web page, FSIS can provide information
to a much broader, more diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an
email subscription service that provides automatic and customized
access to selected food safety news and information. This service is
available at: <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe</a>. The available
information ranges 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
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights
regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and
employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA
programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status,
family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing
deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or
local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the
Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally,
program information may be made available in languages other than
English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to
File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write
a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the
information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint
form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA
by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop
9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fe8e8c91998c9f93d097908a9f959bbe8b8d9a9fd0999188"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3e4e4c51594c5f531057504a5f555b7e4b4d5a5f10595148">[email protected]</span></a>.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Justin Ransom,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2026-06010 Filed 3-26-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P
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