[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 67 (Thursday, April 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-8267]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 7, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 93N-0195]

 

Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guide; 
Availability; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is extending to May 31, 
1994, the comment period on a notice that appeared in the in the 
Federal Register of March 18, 1994 (59 FR 12949). The document 
announced the availability of a draft guidance document entitled ``Fish 
and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guide.'' In response to 
several requests, FDA is publishing a document elsewhere in this issue 
of the Federal Register to extend the comment period on the proposal to 
adopt regulations to ensure the safe processing and importing of fish 
and fishery products, including procedures for the monitoring of 
selected process in accordance with Hazard Analysis Critical Control 
Point (HACCP) principles (59 FR 4142, January 28, 1994). Because the 
Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Control Guide was developed to 
serve as an adjunct to the proposal, the agency believes that it would 
be appropriate also to extend the comment period on it.

DATES: Written comments by May 31, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments, data or information to the Dockets 
Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, rm. 1-23, 
12420 Parklawn Dr., Rockville, MD 20857.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald W. Kraemer, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-401), Food and Drug Administration, 
200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-254-3885.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of March 18, 1994 
(59 FR 12949), FDA issued a notice of availability for a draft guidance 
document, the ``Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guide'' 
(hereafter referred to as the Guide). FDA has prepared this document as 
an adjunct to proposed regulations on the safe processing and importing 
of fish and fishery products.
    The proposed regulations include procedures for the monitoring of 
selected processes in accordance with Hazard Analysis Critical Control 
Point (HACCP) principles. HACCP is a preventive system of hazard 
control that can be used by food processors and importers.
    The agency anticipates that the Guide will help members of the 
seafood industry identify and control hazards associated with the fish 
and fishery products they process and import. The Guide consists 
largely of an inventory of known likely hazards and descriptions of 
control measures that can be taken to minimize or prevent the 
occurrence of those hazards. It includes a considerable amount of 
detail that, to the best of FDA's knowledge, is either new or has never 
been compiled in this manner before. For these reasons FDA believes 
that public comment on the Guide would be extremely useful.
    The notice of availability for the Guide stated that comments were 
due by April 28, 1994. Although many copies of the Guide had been 
distributed at public meetings and through other means before the 
publication of the notice of availability, FDA is concerned that the 
time between the publication of that notice and the end of the comment 
period is not sufficient.
    FDA has concluded that it is in the public interest to allow an 
additional 30 days for comment. FDA considers that this amount of time 
should be more than ample for interested persons to complete and submit 
their comments.
    FDA also believes that the reasons for extending the comment period 
on the proposed rule apply to the Guide as well. Elsewhere in this 
issue of the Federal Register, FDA is extending the comment period on 
the proposed rule until May 31, 1994, based on several requests for an 
extension.
    Interested persons may, on or before May 31, 1994, submit to the 
Dockets Management Branch (address above) written comments regarding 
the Guide. 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 the heading of this document. Received comments 
may be seen in the office above between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday.

    Dated: April 1, 1994.
Michael R. Taylor,
Deputy Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 94-8267 Filed 4-6-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F