04-4340. Cryovac North America; Filing of Color Additive Petition

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that Cryovac North America has filed a petition proposing that the color additive regulations be amended to provide for the safe use of synthetic iron oxide as a color additive in or on cooked meat products.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Aydin Örstan, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS 265), Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740-3835, 202-418-3076.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (sec. 721(d)(1) (21 U.S.C. 379e(d)(1))), notice is given that a color additive petition (CAP 4C0276) has been filed by Cryovac North America, c/o Keller and Heckman LLP, 1001 G St. NW., Suite 500 West, Washington, DC 20001. The petition proposes to amend the color additive regulations in 21 CFR part 73 to provide for the safe use of synthetic iron oxide as a color additive in or on cooked meat products.

The agency has determined under 21 CFR 25.32(k) that this action is of a type that does not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. Therefore, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.

Dated: February 5, 2004.

George H. Pauli,

Acting Director, Office of Food Additive Safety, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.