02-30403. Compliance Policy Guide: “Filth from Insects, Rodents, and Other Pests in Food”; Availability

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a compliance policy guide (CPG) entitled “Filth from Insects, Rodents, and Other Pests in Food.” The purpose of this CPG is to revise and clarify existing guidance on the interpretation of filth in foods within the context of current science. The CPG provides guidance to FDA components as well as to the industry.

DATES:

Submit written or electronic comments concerning the CPG at any time.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written requests for single copies of the CPG “Filth from Insects, Rodents, and Other Pests in Food” to the Director, Division of Compliance Policy (HFC-230), Office of Enforcement, Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Send two self-addressed adhesive labels to assist that office in processing your request, or FAX your request to 301-827-0482. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for electronic access to the document.

Submit written comments on the CPG to the Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Submit electronic comments to http://www.fda.gov/​dockets/​ecomments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Technical Questions Concerning Filth in Foods: Alan R. Olsen, Microanalytical Branch (HFS-315), Office of Plant, Dairy Foods, and Beverages, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740-3835, 301-436-1962, FAX [phone].

Questions Concerning Regulatory Actions: Nina Adler, Division of Compliance Policy (HFC-230), Office of Enforcement, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-0417, FAX [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

In a notice published in the Federal Register of December 18, 2001 (66 FR 65214), FDA announced the availability of a draft CPG entitled “Filth from Insects, Rodents, and Other Pests in Food.” FDA has finalized the draft CPG after receiving no comments on the document. The CPG revises and clarifies existing guidance on foods that contain filth from insects, rodents, and other pests to reflect recent advances in science. The purpose of this CPG is to provide clear policy to FDA's field and headquarters staff with regard to filth from insects, rodents, and other pests in foods. It also contains information that may be useful to the regulated industry and to the public.

The CPG supersedes the current CPG and represents the agency's current thinking on the subject. It does not create or confer any rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind FDA or the public. An alternative approach may be used if such an approach satisfies the requirements of applicable statutes or regulations.

This level 1 guidance is being issued consistent with FDA's good guidance practices regulation (21 CFR 10.115).

II. Comments

Interested persons may submit to the Docket Management Branch (see ADDRESSES) written or electronic comments on the CPG entitled “Filth from Insects, Rodents, and Other Pests in Food” at any time. Two copies of any comments are to be submitted, except that individuals may submit one copy. Comments are to be identified with the docket number found in the brackets in the heading of this document. A copy of the CPG and received comments may be seen in the Dockets Management Branch (see ADDRESSES) between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

III. Electronic Access

Copies of the CPG also may be downloaded to a personal computer with access to the Internet. The Office of Regulatory Affairs home page includes the CPG and may be accessed at http://www.fda.gov/​ora under “Compliance References.”

Dated: November 4, 2002.

John M. Taylor,

Senior Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs.