Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 1/28/10

The American Meat Institute, Food Marketing Institute, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Chicken Council, National Grocers Association and National Turkey Federation have asked USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service to extend by 60 days the comment period for its supplemental proposed rule on ground and single ingredient meat and poultry products.

In a letter to FSIS, the groups said they need more time to fully respond to the proposal because they "intend to conduct research, gather information from our memberships, and analyze the results and responses."

The associations, which represent a substantial portion of the food industry, expressed their commitment to participating fully in this rulemaking.

"Nonetheless, the 60-day comment period provided for in the supplemental proposal included some of the heaviest commercial activity for our members," they wrote. "Although we have already begun collecting information from our members, it has become apparent that we will not be able to respond fully by February 16, 2010."

To view the letter in its entirety, click here. 

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