In the February 27, 2017, Federal Register, USDA's Food and Nutrition Service ("FNS") extended the comment period on a proposed rule to revise and clarify the requirements for the processing of donated foods. The proposal is intended to: (i) incorporate successful processing options tested in demonstration projects; (ii) ensure accountability for donated foods presented for processing; and (iii) increase program efficiency. The rule would require multistate processors to enter into National Processing Agreements to process donated foods into end products, permit processors to substitute commercially purchased beef and pork of U.S. origin and of equal or better quality for donated beef and pork, and increase oversight of inventories of donated foods at processors. Comments are now due April 5, 2017.
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