BACKGROUND:

In the Federal Register of June 29, 1979, (44 FR 38330) FDA published a final regulation reducing the tolerance for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) in poultry from 5 parts per million (ppm) to 3 ppm (fat basis). This tolerance for poultry has been informally applied to red meat for regulatory purposes by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and *Inspection* Service *(FSIS)*.

In response to a request from the *FSIS* to formally establish a tolerance for PCB's in red meat animals, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that although the frequency with which PCB residues occur in red meat may not be sufficient to require a tolerance, an action level should be established.

FDA has no reason to expect that red meat animals (cattle, swine, goats, sheep and horses) consuming feed contaminated with PCB's at or below current tolerance levels will accumulate residues in their fat above 3 ppm. An action level of 3 ppm PCB's in the fat of red meat animals should not result in increases in current dietary exposures to PCB's, therefore FDA considers a 3 ppm level for red meat sufficient to protect the public health.

POLICY:

For purposes of advising State agencies and for enforcement by *FSIS*, the FDA has established an action level of 3 ppm PCB residues in red meat on a fat basis.

*Material between asterisks is new or revised*

Reissued: 10/1/80
Revised: 11/10/87