05-8584. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

April 25, 2005.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13. Comments regarding (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Food and Nutrition Service

Title: Child Nutrition Labeling Program.

OMB Control Number: 0584-0320.

Summary of Collection: The Child Nutrition Labeling Program is a voluntary technical assistance program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The program is designed to aid schools and institutions participating in the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program by, determining the contribution a commercial product makes towards the meal pattern requirements. The Child Nutrition Labeling Program is implemented in conjunction with existing label approval programs administered by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), and the U.S. Department of Commerce. To participate in the CN Labeling Program, industry submits labels to FNS of products that are in conformance with the FSIS label approval program (for meat and poultry), and the USDC label approval program (for seafood products).

Need and Use of the Information: FNS uses the information collected to aid school food authorities and other institutions participating in child nutrition programs in determining the contribution a commercial product makes towards the established meal pattern requirements. FNS uses all of the collected information to give the submitted label an approval status that indicates if the label can be used as part of the CN Labeling Program. Without the information CN Labeling Program would have no basis on which to determine how or if a product meets the meal pattern requirements.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Federal Government.

Number of Respondents: 368.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (as needed).

Total Burden Hours: 1,995.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.