Request for Information for Peanut Products

This is a Request for Information (RFI) for comments and information from the peanut industry. This notice is used for information and planning purposes only and is not a request for proposals. Market research is being conducted to understand current business practices. All information submitted in response to this RFI is voluntary. The Government will not pay for any information received under this RFI. USDA is seeking information regarding procedures used in commercial enterprises that control and monitor quality, including inspection processes for testing, sampling, and ensuring food safety. For the purpose of this RFI, the context for ‘safety’ includes practices implemented to prevent foodborne contamination; to identify vulnerabilities and analytical assessment methods for risk reduction; to perform risk-based surveillance; to detect contamination; and to rapidly respond to minimize harm. Information on business practices with regard to any or all of the above topics should be submitted. This RFI serves as notice to multiple industries for the submission of information about quality, inspection, testing, sampling and food safety assurance for raw peanuts, shelled peanuts, peanut butter, roasted peanuts, and peanut granules. USDA requests both general and specific information. Examples of specific information for peanut quality and safety could include a discussion of what is tested, frequency of tests, test methods used, test methods for receipt of product, on-line inspections during manufacturing, testing of finished product, and any other relevant information. All information gathered in response to this RFI may be used to enhance USDA’s contract quality assurance requirements. This is not a formal solicitation. No current solicitation exists and requests for a solicitation will be ignored. All information provided with regard to the commercial practices for peanut products should take in to account USDA’s 100 percent domestic origin requirement and USDA’s definition for U.S. Grade A peanuts and peanut products. The standards are available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/peanutbu.pdf. Information should be submitted by September 24, 2009 to: Cheryl Davis USDA – FSA – Kansas City Commodity Office Beacon Facility – Mail Stop 8718 P.O. Box 419205 Kansas City, Missouri 64141-6205