2013-07580. Implementation of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Provision Requiring FDA To Establish Pilot Projects and Submit a Report to Congress for the Improvement of Tracking and Tracing of Food; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice; extension of comment period.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is extending the comment period for the notice entitled “Implementation of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Provision Requiring FDA To Establish Pilot Projects and Submit a Report to Congress for the Improvement of Tracking and Tracing of Food” that appeared in the Federal Register of March 5, 2013 (78 FR 14309). In the notice, FDA requested comments on the findings and recommendations contained in the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) report to FDA and the submission of information relevant to improving product tracing. The Agency is taking this action in response to requests for an extension to allow interested persons additional time to submit comments.

DATES:

Submit either electronic or written comments by July 3, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments and information, identified by Docket No. FDA-2012-N-1153, by any of the following methods:

Electronic Submissions

Submit electronic comments and information in the following way:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments and information.

Written Submissions

Submit written submissions in the following way:

• Mail/Hand delivery/Courier (for paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.

Instructions: All submissions received must include the Agency name and Docket No. FDA-2012-N-1153 for this notice. All comments and information received may be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov,, including any personal information provided. For additional information on submitting comments and information, see the “Comments” heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document.

Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments and information received, go to http://www.regulations.gov and insert the docket number(s), found in brackets in the heading of this document, into the “Search” box and follow the prompts and/or go to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sherri A. McGarry, Office of Foods, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 1, Rm. 1212, Silver Spring, MD 20903, 301-796-3851.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

In the Federal Register of March 5, 2013 (78 FR 14309), FDA published a notice with a 30-day comment period to request comments on the findings and recommendations contained in the IFT report and the submission of information relevant to improving product tracing. Comments on the findings and recommendations contained in the IFT report and the submission of information relevant to improving product tracing will help FDA as it forms its own recommendations, to be contained in the Agency report to Congress that is required by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and as it implements the FSMA provisions relating to the tracking and tracing of food.

The Agency has received requests for a 120-day extension of the comment period for the notice. Each request conveyed concern that the current 30-day comment period does not allow sufficient time to develop a meaningful or thoughtful response to the notice.

FDA has considered the requests and is extending the comment period for all interested persons for 90 days, until July 3, 2013. The Agency believes that a 90-day extension allows adequate time for interested persons to submit comments.

II. Request for Comments

Interested persons may submit either electronic comments regarding this document to http://www.regulations.gov or written comments to the Division of Dockets Management (see ADDRESSES). It is only necessary to send one set of comments. Identify comments with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document. Received comments may be seen in the Division of Dockets Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and will be posted to the docket at http://www.regulations.gov.

Dated: March 26, 2013.

Peter Lurie,

Acting Associate Commissioner for Policy and Planning.