Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery

Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery

DATES:

Submit comments on or before November 2, 2026.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery.

OMB Number: 0583-0151.

Type of Request: Renewal of an approved information collection.

Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the functions of the Secretary (7 CFR 2.18 and 2.53), as specified in the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601, et seq. ), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451, et seq. ), and the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA) (21 U.S.C. 1031, et seq. ). These statutes mandate that FSIS protect the public by verifying that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled.

FSIS is requesting renewal of the approved information collection regarding qualitative customer and stakeholder feedback on service delivery by FSIS. There are no changes to the existing information collection. The approval for this information collection will expire on May 31, 2027.

The proposed information collection provides a means for FSIS to obtain qualitative customer and stakeholder feedback in an efficient and timely manner, consistent with the Agency's commitment to improving service delivery.

"Qualitative feedback," refers to information that provides insights into perceptions and opinions but is not a statistical survey that yields quantitative results that can be generalized to the population studied. This feedback helps FSIS understand customer or stakeholder experiences and expectations, identify early concerns with service delivery, and highlight areas where better communication or operational changes may improve services. This collection supports ongoing, collaborative, and actionable communications between the Agency and its customers and stakeholders and directly informs improvements in program management.

The solicitation of qualitative feedback will target topics such as timeliness, appropriateness, accuracy of information, courtesy, efficiency of service delivery, and resolution of issues with service delivery. Responses will be assessed to plan and inform efforts to improve or maintain the quality of service offered to the public. If this information is not collected, valuable feedback from customers and stakeholders on the Agency's services would not be available.

FSIS will only submit a collection for approval under this generic clearance if it meets the following conditions:

• The collection is voluntary.
• The collection is low-burden for respondents (based on considerations of total burden hours, total number of respondents, or burden hours per respondent) and is low-cost for both the respondents and the Federal Government.
• The collection is non-controversial and does not raise issues of concern to other Federal agencies.
• The collection is targeted to the solicitation of opinions from respondents who have had experience with the program, or who may have experience with the program in the near future.
• Personally identifiable information (PII) is collected only to the extent necessary and is not retained; as a general matter, this information collection will not result in any new system of records containing privacy information and will not involve questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, or other matters that are commonly considered private.
• Information gathered is intended for internal use to support general service improvement and program management; if released, FSIS would identify the qualitative nature of the information.
• Information gathered will not be used to substantially inform policy decisions.
• Information gathered will yield qualitative information and will not be designed or expected to yield statistically reliable or generalizable results.

FSIS has made the following estimates based upon an information collection assessment:

Respondents: Individuals and households; businesses and organizations; State, local, or Tribal government.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 4,000.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.

Estimated annual number of responses: 4,000.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 2,000 hours.

Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained from Gina Kouba, Office of Policy and Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence SW, Mailstop 3758, South Building, Washington, DC 20250; (202) 720-5627. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained from Gina Kouba, Office of Policy and Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700; 202-720-5046.

Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS' functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of FSIS' estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the method and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques, or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to both FSIS, at the addresses provided above, and the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Washington, DC 20253.

Additional Public Notification

Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy development is important. Consequently, FSIS will announce this Federal Register publication online through the FSIS web page located at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.

FSIS will also announce and provide a link to this Federal Register publication through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal Register notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information that could affect or would be of interest to our constituents and stakeholders. The Constituent Update is available on the FSIS web page. Through the web page, FSIS can provide information to a much broader, more diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an email subscription service that provides automatic and customized access to selected food safety news and information. This service is available at: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USFSIS/subscriber/new .

The available information ranges from recalls to export information, regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves and have the option to password protect their accounts.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information ( e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected] .

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