WASHINGTON – The Food Safety and Information Service (FSIS) announced Friday that it would a hold a public meeting to discuss a petition requesting recognition for the use of low-dose and low-penetration irradiation.

The low-dose irradiation would be used on the surface of chilled beef carcasses as a processing aid.

The public meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, 480 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, D.C. The meeting will feature a review of the information presented in the industry petition submitted to FSIS, and receive public comments on what action it should take with respect to the petition.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved irradiation of meat and poultry and allows its use for a variety of other foods and determined that the process is safe and effective in decreasing or eliminating harmful bacteria. FSIS then approved the suitability of food irradiation for use in treating refrigerated or frozen, uncooked meat and poultry products to reduce levels of foodborne pathogens and to extend shelf-life.

Written comments on this issue must be received on or before Oct. 18, 2008. Comments can be sent to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Room 2534 South Agriculture Building,

1400 Independence Avenue

, SW., Washington, D.C. 20250, or submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov.

 

Source: Food Safety and Inspection Service