The public is being asked to comment on a food safety agency's decision-making process that led the agency to conclude that swine and poultry fed pet food scraps containing melamine and melamine-related compounds are unlikely to pose a human health risk.

The decisions of the Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service, detailed in the May 30 Federal Register and posted online at www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/2007-0018.pdf (PDF, 78 Kb), were based on the best available scientific data and information, according to the agency.

In the same Federal Register, the Food and Drug Administration issued a notice of availability of an interim safety/risk assessment related to melamine.

On the basis of currently available data and information, this safety/risk assessment indicates that the consumption of pork, poultry, eggs, and domestic fish products produced when animal feed was contaminated with melamine and melamine-related compounds is unlikely to pose a human health risk. The safety/risk assessment is available at www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/07n-0208-ra00001.pdf (PDF, 145 Kb).

Comments to the Federal Register associated with the FSIS issuance must be received by Aug. 28, 2007. Submissions must include the agency name and docket number FSIS-2007-0018. Comments may be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov; by mail, to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 300 12th St. SW, Room 102 Cotton Annex, Washington, DC 20250; or e-mail, FSIS.RegulationsComments@usda.gov.

Comments will also be posted on the FSIS Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov/.