FDA Seeks Comments on Food Safety Survey

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a request for comments concerning a proposed information collection for a Food Safety Survey. Specifically, the agency seeks comment on the following questions: (i) is the information collection necessary and will it provide practical utility; (ii) is the estimate of the burden of the information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used, accurate; (iii) can the quality, utility and clarity of the information be enhanced; and (iv) how can the burden of the information collection on respondents be minimized.

The Food Safety Survey, which the agency notes will contain many of the same questions and topics as previous Food Safety Surveys, will also be updated to explore emerging consumer food safety topics and expand understanding of previously asked topics. New topics to be explored include the increase in listeriosis rates in people older than age 60; consumer understanding of mechanically tenderized beef; awareness of foodborne pathogens such as Toxoplasma gondii; and awareness of the risks associated with eating raw sprouts. Comments will be accepted until December 31, 2013. See Federal Register, November 1, 2013.