[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 9, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-2883] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: February 9, 1994] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration Partial Support for Children's Nutrition Label Literacy Project; Consideration of Cooperative Agreement AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that it has accepted for consideration a single source application from KIDSNET (a nonprofit, multimedia organization) for partial support for Phase II of the ``Kid's Label Literacy Project'' in the form of a cooperative agreement. Phase I, which has been completed, was funded from private sources. The goal of this multimedia project is to help create generations of label literate adults by motivating children to look for and to use the new food label on their own and with the help of their parents. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regarding the administrative and financial management aspects: Maura C. Stephanos, Division of Contracts and Grants Management (HFA- 520), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-443-6170. Regarding the programmatic aspects: Sherree Lancaster, Office of the Commissioner (HFA-5), 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301- 443-8122. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FDA is announcing that it has accepted for consideration a single source application from KIDSNET for support of a children's nutrition label literacy project. Competition is limited to KIDSNET because it has developed a unique combination of commitments and partnerships that bring together educators and the broadcast media, as well as nutritionists, food industry representatives, trade associations, and others to launch this multimedia project. Specifically, KIDSNET has: (1) Formed a partnership with the National Education Association, representing more than 2 million teachers, which will help to develop and distribute a curriculum to teachers and to medical, health, and social service professionals via its health information network; (2) arranged for Houghton-Mifflin, the company that holds the rights to the popular children's character ``Curious George,'' to allow the character to be used in television (TV) public service announcements (PSA's), videos, and a variety of printed materials to educate children about the food label (in a way similar to that in which ``Smokey the Bear'' educates children about forest fires); (3) received the endorsement from KIDSNET's broadcast industry advisory board, which includes all four TV networks and the major cable TV networks, to produce TV PSA's that will run during the best time slots targeted for children; (4) formed a kid's label literacy media task force representing national broadcast and cable networks and a leading children's production company to develop and implement this project and ensure widespread usage of the PSA's on the major national TV and cable networks; (5) arranged for the Federal Consumers Information Center to distribute a parent and teacher companion brochure which will be promoted during the PSA's; (6) signed-on more than 100 representatives of industry and trade associations and experts in child development and nutrition to participate in this project; (7) identified, met with, and held preliminary discussions with various children's museums to develop and promote a kid's label literacy exhibit; and (8) as a result of KIDSNET's Phase I activities, acquired expertise and recognition in the field of children and label literacy. FDA's authority to enter into grants and cooperative agreements is set out in section 301 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241). FDA's programs are described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.103. Before entering into grants or cooperative agreements, FDA carefully considers the benefits that such support will provide the public. KIDSNET's application for this award will undergo a noncompetitive dual peer review. An external review committee of experts in nutrition, food labeling, and media has reviewed and evaluated the application based on its expressed ability to successfully accomplish the goals of the project. A second level review will be conducted by the National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences Council, which regularly reviews applications for FDA. I. Background In 1991, FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture initiated a food labeling education campaign to increase consumers' knowledge and effective use of the new food label to assist them in making accurate and sound dietary choices in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The goals of the campaign are to promote awareness of the food label and to motivate consumers to use food label information in making more nutritious food selections in order to achieve healthier diets. A major thrust of the campaign is to encourage and build partnerships among and with health, nutritional, and consumer groups in order to develop, disseminate, and evaluate materials and projects educating children about the new food label. FDA also recognizes that the learning process must be expanded beyond the classroom to include other areas of frequent exposure such as children's TV programming. In 1992, in support of this campaign, KIDSNET initiated Phase I of the ``Kid's Label Literacy Project.'' This initial phase of the project involved research and development of an outline for an educational and public outreach initiative to educate children about nutrition through food labeling. In December 1991, KIDSNET conducted several children's focus groups to: (1) Examine children's attitudes and behavior regarding food purchasing, preparation, and consumption; (2) determine children's awareness and knowledge of the relationship between food and nutrition; and (3) identify sources of information on food. As part of its efforts to reach out to the various constituencies involved in nutrition education, KIDSNET conducted a seminar in January 1994, with more than 100 representatives from the government, food industry, nutrition and educational health communities, public interest groups, and the media to obtain their insights and cooperation regarding this initiative. During the National Education Association's National Health Conference, held in the spring of 1993, KIDSNET surveyed participants to determine how this labeling initiative should be implemented in the schools. Educators from 10 States volunteered to participate in curriculum development and evaluation. In addition, KIDSNET reviewed various cartoon characters to identify one that would become the key symbol for the project. The character ``Curious George'' was selected to be the key symbol and will become part of the educational, consumer, TV, and product elements of the initiative. II. Mechanism of Support A. Award Instrument Support for the ``Kids Label Literacy Project,'' if awarded, will be in the form of a cooperative agreement in the anticipated amount of $50,000. The award will be subject to all policies and requirements that govern the programs of the Public Health Service, including the provisions of 45 CFR part 74 and the Public Health Service grants policy statement. B. Length of Support The length of support will be 1 year with the possibility of an additional 2 years of noncompetitive support. Continuation beyond the first year will be based upon performance during the preceding year and the availability of Federal fiscal year appropriations. C. Delineation of Substantive Involvement 1. All PSA's will be reviewed and approved by the FDA for product content. 2. FDA will have full representation on the advisory board. 3. FDA will review and approve all education material distributed by KIDSNET. 4. FDA will be consulted on the implementation of the traveling exhibits. III. Reasons for Single Source Selection FDA is offering this cooperative agreement to KIDSNET to encourage continuation of the ``Kids Label Literacy Project'' by providing partial support of Phase II. FDA believes that there is compelling evidence that KIDSNET is uniquely qualified to fulfill the goals of the children's nutrition label literacy project. While completing Phase I of the project, KIDSNET has obtained expertise and recognition in educating children about nutrition and the food label via the media. Also, KIDSNET has developed a unique combination of partnerships and commitments from various sectors; these include: (1) Major TV networks and cable TV, which will run the PSA's during the best time slots for children; (2) the Federal Consumer Information Center, which will distribute the companion brochure; (3) the National Education Association, which will help write, publish, and distribute a curriculum to schools; (4) release by the company holding the rights to the popular children's character ``Curious George,'' which could be used in the PSA's, videos, and printed materials; and (5) various children's museums throughout the United States, which expose the public to a variety of pertinent and timely information. In the past 2 years, KIDSNET has laid a strong foundation for the successful introduction and implementation of this project. In December 1991, it conducted focus groups on the subject of nutrition and the food label with children. In January 1992, KIDSNET held a national symposium in Washington, DC, with participation from government, public interest groups, educational organizations, and representatives of the private sector to help focus the project and generate support for such an initiative. IV. Reporting Requirements Program progress reports and financial status reports (Standard Form SF-269) will be required quarterly, based on date of award. These reports will be due within 30 days after the last day of each quarter. Final program progress and financial status reports will be due 90 days after expiration of the project period of the grant. Dated: January 31, 1994. Michael R. Taylor, Deputy Commissioner for Policy. [FR Doc. 94-2883 Filed 2-8-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160-01-F