05-440. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Child Nutrition Labeling Program

AGENCY:

Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Food and Nutrition Service to request Office of Management and Budget review of information collection activities related to the Child Nutrition Labeling Program.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by March 11, 2005, to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval and will become a matter of public record. Comments may be sent to: William Wagoner, Team Leader, Technical Assistance Section, Nutrition Promotion and Training Branch, Child Nutrition Division, room 632, Food and Nutrition Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instruments and instruction should be directed to William Wagoner at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Child Nutrition Labeling Program.

OMB Number: 0584-0320.

Expiration Date: 05/31/05.

Type of Request: Revision of currently approved collection.

Abstract: The Child Nutrition (CN) Labeling Program is a voluntary technical assistance program to aid schools and institutions participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in determining the contribution a commercial product makes toward the food-based meal pattern requirements of these programs. (See Appendix C to 7 CFR Parts 210, 220, 225 and 226 for more information on this program). There is no Federal requirement that commercial products must have a CN label statement.

To participate in the Child Nutrition Labeling Program, industry submits product labels and formulations to the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) that are in conformance with the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) label approval program for meat and poultry, or United States Department of Commerce (USDC) label approval program for seafood products. FNS reviews a manufacturer's product formulation to determine the contribution a serving of the product makes toward the food-based meal pattern requirements. The application form submitted to FNS is the same application that companies submit to FSIS or USDC to receive label approval. A CN label application is also reviewed by FNS for accuracy.

Estimate of Burden: Based on our most recent interviews with manufacturers it is estimated that it takes a manufacturer forty-five minutes to complete the required calculations and to formulate the CN label application.

Respondents: Participation in the CN labeling Program is voluntary. Only manufacturers who wish to place CN labels on their products must comply with program requirements. Last year 368 establishments sent in 2,648 CN label applications.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 368.

Estimated Number of Responses Per Respondent: 7.2.

Estimated Total Annual Responses: 2,649.

Estimated Time Per Response: 0.75 Hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 1,987 Hours.

Dated: December 30, 2004.

Roberto Salazar,

Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.