The Crush of Year-End Rulemaking
With year-end festivities looming, federal regulators have spread their own version of holiday "cheer," churning out dozens of potential rules and guidelines. They reach into the far corners of commerce, like so many last-minute gifts -- or lumps of coal -- stuffed in a stocking.
Some are in the "can you believe the government is involved in this?" category. Others are more like "thank goodness someone is paying attention.''
For example, in case you're making eggnog from scratch, consider the latest from the egg regulators at the Food and Drug Administration. They advise practicing "egg safety." In an effort to prevent food poisoning cases, the agency put out a reminder on Dec. 20 that there are an estimated 118,000 cases each year of salmonella enteritis from undercooked eggs. A survey this year showed that cookie dough was the major source of raw-egg consumption.
The agency suggests using pasteurized egg products, cooking dishes with eggs in them to 160 degrees, and abstaining from unbaked cookie dough (you know who you are).
Other seasonal projects published in the Federal Register in recent days:
. The Coast Guard issued a rule changing the date of the annual Gasparilla Marine Parade in Hillsborough Bay and Tampa, to the last Saturday in January, a week earlier than usual. The edict also creates a staging area so boats are properly lined up and a 50-foot safety zone around them to handle "safety concerns associated with an increased number of spectator vessels that gather to watch this parade."
. The Federal Railroad Administration told the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway not to run any cars or equipment on a timber railroad bridge spanning Prairie Creek, near La Hogue, Ill., because the span is rotting and deteriorating.
.The U.S. Mint issued an interim rule, effective through April 14, prohibiting the exportation or melting of pennies and nickels. Treasury is worried that the value of the metal (copper, nickel and zinc) exceeds the face value of the coins, encouraging speculation and recycling. The rule said that if there were a shortage of the coins, it could take up to $1 million a day to replenish the supply and tax the Mint beyond capacity.
more:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/25/AR2006122500567.html
No comments:
Post a Comment