Notice2026-06383
Notice of Request To Revise an Approved Information Collection: State Meat and Poultry Inspection Systems
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
April 2, 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 revision of the approved information collection for State Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) Programs. FSIS is adding 204 burden hours to the information collection due to the addition of a new State inspection program. The approval for this information collection will expire on August 31, 2026.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 63 (Thursday, April 2, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 63 (Thursday, April 2, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16629-16631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06383]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. FSIS-2026-0068]
Notice of Request To Revise an Approved Information Collection:
State Meat and Poultry Inspection Systems
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 revision of the approved information
collection for State Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) Programs. FSIS
is adding 204 burden hours to the information collection due to the
addition of a new State inspection program. The approval for this
information collection will expire on August 31, 2026.
DATES: Submit comments on or before June 1, 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-2026-0068. 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: State Meat and Poultry Inspection Programs.
OMB Number: 0583-0170.
Type of Request: Revision of an approved information collection.
Abstract: The Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and the Poultry
Products Inspection Act (PPIA) provide for FSIS to cooperate with State
agencies in developing and administering their own MPI programs (21
U.S.C. 661 and 454). The FMIA and the PPIA restrict each cooperative
State MPI program to the inspection and regulation of products that are
produced and sold within the State (21 U.S.C. 661(a)(1) and 454(a)(1)).
Under the FMIA and PPIA, cooperative State MPI programs are required to
operate in a manner and with authorities ``at least equal to'' the
provisions set out in the FMIA and PPIA (21 U.S.C. 661(a)(1) and
454(a)(1)).
FSIS is announcing its intention to request a revision of the
approved information collection regarding State MPI programs. FSIS
collects information from State MPI programs to ensure that their
programs operate in a manner that is at least equal to FSIS' Federal
inspection program in the protection of the public interest; comply
with requirements of Federal civil rights laws and regulations; meet
necessary laboratory quality assurance standards and testing
frequencies; and have the capability to perform microbiology and food
chemistry methods that are ``at least equal to'' methods performed in
the FSIS laboratories. FSIS is adding 204 burden hours to the
information collection due to the addition of a new State inspection
program. The approval for this information collection will expire on
August 31, 2026.
Thirty States have MPI programs that operate under a cooperative
agreement with FSIS and are subject to the comprehensive review
process. The process consists of nine components:
1. Statutory Authority and Food Safety Regulations;
2. Inspection;
3. Sampling Programs;
4. Staffing, Training, and Supervision;
5. Humane Handling;
6. Compliance;
7. Laboratory Quality Assurance Program and Methods;
8. Civil Rights; and
9. Financial Accountability.
[[Page 16630]]
For each of the first six components, State MPI programs submit
annual self-assessment documentation demonstrating that they meet
Federal ``at least equal to'' requirements. Each component includes
narrative statements and supporting documentation demonstrating that
the program continues to meet the criteria to be ``at least equal to''
the Federal inspection program. All State MPI programs need to
demonstrate they operate in a manner that protects the health and
welfare of consumers by ensuring that the meat and poultry products
distributed by the establishments in the program are wholesome, not
adulterated, and properly marked and labeled.
The annual self-assessment submission also includes one or more
narratives describing the internal controls used by the State MPI
program that: (1) provide assurances and can measure the effectiveness
of the program under the ``at least equal to'' criteria; (2)
demonstrate how nonconformances will be addressed by corrective
actions; and (3) demonstrate how the State MPI program will be
maintained throughout the next 12 months. For Component 7 of the
comprehensive State review process, States submit documentation of
their laboratory quality assurance programs and methods. States
document their laboratory quality assurance program activities on the
FSIS Form 5720-14, State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program Laboratory
Quality Management System Checklist. States submit copies of new or
revised laboratory analytical methods accompanied by a FSIS Form 5720-
15, Laboratory Method Notification Form.
For Component 8 of the comprehensive review process, States submit
documentation of their Civil Rights compliance. States receive FSIS
monies to operate their MPI programs, and as such, are subject to the
nondiscrimination provisions of Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. To
assess the 30 States' compliance with these provisions, FSIS requests
information on the States' civil rights programs and controls on FSIS
Form 1520.1, Civil Rights Compliance of State Inspection Programs.
States must submit all documentation for the annual self-assessment
by November 1 each year. Submissions must address programs and
activities implemented and maintained during the prior fiscal year
(October 1 through September 30). In addition to the annual self-
assessment, each State MPI program receives an on-site review at least
once every three years. In on-site review years, FSIS closely evaluates
State records to determine whether the program continues to operate in
a manner that is ``at least equal to'' the Federal inspection program.
FSIS has made the following estimates for the revised information
collection.
Respondents: State MPI Directors, Program Managers, and/or Human
Resources Officials.
Estimated No. of Respondents: 30 respondents.
Estimated No. of Annual Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,255 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 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)
[[Page 16631]]
fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#deaeacb1b9acbfb3f0b7b0aabfb5bb9eabadbabff0b9b1a8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c7b7b5a8a0b5a6aae9aea9b3a6aca287b2b4a3a6e9a0a8b1">[email protected]</span></a>.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Justin Ransom,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2026-06383 Filed 4-1-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P
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