The original deadline to submit comments on the draft Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) Survey questions was March 10. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced that it has extended the opportunity for comment in response to a request from three industry groups. The new deadline to receive comments is March 25. The industry associations stated that the additional time was needed to provide meaningful feedback on the survey questions.

The survey is divided into a series of sections (“question series”) based on the establishment’s operation (e.g., whether the establishment slaughters, slaughters and processes or processes only) and the raw beef products the establishment produces.

FSIS is particularly interested in receiving feedback concerning the clarity of questions. Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal online at www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FSIS-2013-0010 to view the survey and provide comment.