The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Sept. 12 announced a 30-day extension of the comment period for a proposed rule regarding recordkeeping by processors and retail stores that grind raw beef products.

On July 22, 2014, FSIS published in the Federal Register a proposed rule announcing that it will amend its recordkeeping regulations to require all official establishments and retail stores that grind raw beef products to keep records that document the source, supplier and names of all materials used in the preparation of those raw ground beef products. The deadline for submitting comments was Sept. 22, but FSIS agreed to extend the deadline to Oct. 22 in response to a request from an industry association.

FSIS said it encourages all interested parties to submit comments on the notice on or before Oct. 22, 2014. Comments may be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov, or by mail to:

Docket Room Manager
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 Independence Ave.
SW, Mailstop 3782, Room 8-163B
Washington, DC 20250-3700

Hand- or courier-delivered submittals should be delivered to:

Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E Street SW
Room 8-163B
Washington, DC 20250-3700.

The proposed rule is available here.