[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 52 (Wednesday, March 18, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 13154]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7056]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
21 CFR Part 101
[Docket Nos. 91N-384H and 96P-0500]
RIN 0910-AA19
Food Labeling; Nutrient Content Claims, Definition of Term:
Healthy; Extension of Comment Period
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is extending to May 19,
1998, the comment period for its advance notice of proposed rulemaking
(ANPRM) on the use of the term ``healthy.'' The ANPRM was published in
the Federal Register of December 30, 1997 (62 FR 67771). The agency is
taking this action in response to two requests for an extension of the
comment period. This extension is intended to provide interested
persons with additional time to submit comments to FDA on the ANPRM.
DATES: Written comments by May 19, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Dockets Management Branch
(HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 12420 Parklawn Dr., rm. 1-23,
Rockville, MD 20857.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Virginia L. Wilkening, Center for Food
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-165), Food and Drug Administration,
200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-205-5763.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of December 30, 1997
(62 FR 67771), FDA published an ANPRM announcing that it is considering
whether to institute rulemaking to reevaluate and possibly amend
certain provisions of the nutrient content claims regulations
pertaining to the use of the term ``healthy.'' In the ANPRM, FDA asked
for information and data to help resolve the issues pertaining to the
use of the term ``healthy'' that were raised by a petition submitted by
ConAgra, Inc (Docket 96P-0500, CP-1). Interested persons were given
until March 16, 1998, to submit comments on the ANPRM.
In the Federal Register of February 13, 1998 (63 FR 7279), the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) published an interim final rule
extending until January 1, 2000, the effective date for certain
requirements pertaining to the use of ``healthy'' on the label or
labeling of meat products. In that final rule, USDA stated that written
comments about its instituting additional rulemaking should be received
by May 19, 1998. FDA has received letters from trade associations
requesting the agency to extend the comment period on its ANPRM until
May 19, 1998, to coincide with the date for USDA's interim final rule.
The requests contend that additional time is needed for both food
manufacturers and other interested groups to address both FDA's and
USDA's comments. They also cite the need to coordinate comments to the
two documents.
FDA has decided to extend the comment period to May 19, 1998, to
allow additional time for the submission of comments on the ANPRM. FDA
recognizes the value in providing an extension that will allow the
coordination of comments on these FDA and USDA documents. Accordingly,
FDA has decided to extend the comment period to May 19, 1998, to allow
additional time for the submission of comments on the ANPRM.
Interested persons may, on or before May 19, 1998, submit to the
Dockets Management Branch (address above) written comments regarding
this proposed rule. 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 brackets in the heading of
this document. Received comments may be seen in the office above
between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Dated: March 13, 1998.
William K. Hubbard,
Associate Commissioner for Policy Coordination.
[FR Doc. 98-7056 Filed 3-13-98; 3:48 pm]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F
