[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 40 (Friday, February 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9194-9195]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4955]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 97N-0040]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing an
opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain
information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register
concerning each proposed collection of information and to allow 60 days
for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits
comments on a survey of the food safety practices of food processors.
DATES: Submit written comments on the collection of information by
April 29, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to
the Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration,
12420 Parklawn Dr., rm. 1-23, Rockville, MD 20857. All comments should
be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the heading
of this document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret R. Wolff, Office of
Information Resources Management (HFA-250), Food and Drug
Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, rm. 16B-19, Rockville, MD 20857,
301-827-1223.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires Federal
agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning
each proposed collection of information. ``Collection of information''
is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c). To comply with
this requirement, FDA is publishing notice of the proposed collection
of information listed below.
With respect to the following collection of information, FDA
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance of FDA's functions, including
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy
of FDA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions
used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of
automated collection techniques, when appropriate, and other forms of
information technology.
Survey of Food Safety Practices of Food Processing Firms--New
Collection
FDA is evaluating the marginal costs of requiring food processors
to use Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems.
HACCP is already required for seafood processors, and FDA is
considering whether to issue regulations requiring HACCP for processors
of other foods under the agency's jurisdiction. The analysis of
marginal costs requires information about the prevalence of specific
HACCP systems and practices among food manufacturers and repackers. FDA
will collect this information through an anonymous voluntary survey of
a random sample of food processors. Additionally, through a series of
on-site visits to selected processors, a contractor will collect
information on the marginal cost of various procedures required to
operate a HACCP system. The information will help the Center for Food
Safety and Applied Nutrition determine the baseline level of HACCP
[[Page 9195]]
use from which to estimate the economic costs to the industry of
mandatory HACCP regulations for foods other than seafood. FDA will use
this information in tailoring any HACCP regulations that may issue so
that costs and benefits of such regulations are appropriately
considered.
FDA estimates the burden of this survey as follows:
Estimated Annual Reporting Burden
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Annual
Burden Element No. of Frequency per Total Annual Hours per Total Hours
Respondents Response Responses Response
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Part 1--Computer Assisted
Telephone Interview (CATI)
Respond to initial recruitment
telephone call 1,231 1 1,231 0.2 246.2
Receive and read introductory
letter, key term definitions 1,231 1 1,231 0.25 307.75
Obtain data to prepare for the
telephone interview 1,231 1 1,231 0.35 430.85
Respond to telephone interview 1,231 1 1,231 0.5 615.50
Totals 1 1,600.3
Part 2--On-Site Cost Interview
Receive initial recruitment
telephone call 17 1 17 0.2 3.4
Receive and read introductory
letter and materials 17 1 17 0.25 4.25
Obtain data to prepare for the
site visit 17 1 17 0.5 8.5
Respond to questions during
site visit 17 1 17 3.0 51.0
Followup questions 17 1 17 0.25 4.25
Total burden hours, on-site
interviews 71.4
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There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of information.
The total burden hours for Part 1--CATI and Part 2--On-Site Cost
Interview are 1,671.7.
The burden hour estimates are based on a pretest conducted with
three focus groups.
Dated: February 20, 1997.
William K. Hubbard,
Associate Commissioner for Policy Coordination.
[FR Doc. 97-4955 Filed 2-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F
