[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 57 (Friday, March 22, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11793-11794]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7046]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

21 CFR Part 101

[Docket Nos. 91N-384H, 94P-0390 and 95P-0241]


Food Labeling: Nutrient Content Claims, General Principles; 
Health Claims, General Requirements and Other Special Requirements for 
Individual Health Claims; and Definition of Term: Healthy; Extension of 
Comment Periods

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment periods.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is extending to

[[Page 11794]]
July 18, 1996, the comment periods for two proposed rules, entitled 
``Food Labeling: Nutrient Content Claims, General Principles; Health 
Claims, General Requirements and Other Special Requirements for 
Individual Health Claims'' (60 FR 66206, December 21, 1995) and ``Food 
Labeling: Nutrient Content Claims, Definition of Term: Healthy'' (61 FR 
5349, February 12, 1996). This action is being taken in response to 
requests for additional time to conduct consumer research, to develop 
information requested by the agency, and to evaluate and comment on 
issues common to both proposals.

DATES: Submit written comments by July 18, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Dockets Management Branch 
(HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 12420 Parklawn Dr., rm. 1-23, 
Rockville, MD 20857. Comments should be identified with the docket 
numbers found in brackets in the heading of this document. Received 
comments are available for public examination in the Dockets Management 
Branch between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: F. Edward Scarbrough, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-150), Food and Drug Administration, 
200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-205-4561.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of December 21, 1995 
(60 FR 66206), FDA published a proposed rule entitled ``Food Labeling: 
Nutrient Content Claims, General Principles; Health Claims, General 
Requirements and Other Special Requirements for Individual Health 
Claims'' (the claims proposal) in response to petitions submitted by 
the National Food Processors Association (NFPA) and the American Bakers 
Association (ABA). In that proposal, FDA proposed to amend its 
regulations on nutrient content claims to provide additional 
flexibility in the use of these claims on food products. FDA had 
provided for interested persons to submit written comments on the 
proposal by March 20, 1996.
    In the Federal Register of February 12, 1996, FDA published a 
proposed rule entitled ``Food Labeling: Nutrient Content Claims, 
Definition of Term: Healthy'' (the healthy proposal) in response to 
petitions submitted to the agency by the American Frozen Food Institute 
(AFFI), the National Food Processors Association (NFPA), and the 
American Bakers Association (ABA). In that proposal, FDA proposed to 
revise its food labeling regulations by amending the definition of the 
term ``healthy'' to permit certain processed fruits and vegetables and 
enriched cereal-grain products that conform to a standard of identity 
to bear this term. FDA had provided for interested persons to submit 
written comments on the proposal by April 29, 1996.
    The agency has received requests from NFPA for extensions of the 
comment periods for both proposals. Although FDA has a policy of 
generally not extending such comment periods so that necessary 
regulations can be promulgated as expeditiously as possible, the agency 
agrees that additional time may be needed by the requestor to conduct 
consumer research, to develop information requested by the agency, and 
to evaluate issues common to both proposals so that meaningful comments 
may be submitted. Therefore, FDA is extending the comment period for 
the claims proposal an additional 120 days and the comment period for 
the healthy proposal an additional 80 days. Thus, comments received by 
July 18, 1996, will be considered by FDA during its completion of these 
rulemakings.
    Interested persons may, on or before July 18, 1996, submit to the 
Dockets Management Branch (address above) written comments regarding 
either proposal. Two copies of any comments are to be submitted, except 
that individuals may submit one copy. Comments regarding the healthy 
proposal are to be identified with docket numbers 91N-384H and 95P-
0241. Comments regarding the claims proposal are to be identified with 
docket numbers 94P-0390 and 95P-0241. Received comments may be seen in 
the office above between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

    Dated: March 19, 1996.
William K. Hubbard,
Associate Commissioner for Policy Coordination.
[FR Doc. 96-7046 Filed 3-19-96; 4:41 pm]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F