[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 190 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 51118]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24966]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 96F-0341]


MacMillan Bloedel, Ltd.; Filing of Food Additive Petition

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that 
MacMillan Bloedel, Ltd., has filed a petition proposing that the food 
additive regulations be amended to provide for the safe use of 
diethylene glycol as a pulp bleaching agent for paper and paperboard 
intended for use in contact with food.

DATES: Written comments on the petitioner's environmental assessment by 
October 30, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Andrew J. Zajac, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-216), Food and Drug Administration, 
200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-418-3095.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 
Act (sec. 409(b)(5) (21 U.S.C. 348(b)(5))), notice is given that a food 
additive petition (FAP 6B4517) has been filed by MacMillan Bloedel, 
Ltd., c/o Camplong & Associates, Inc., P.O. Box 238, Schomberg, Ontario 
L0G 1T0, Canada. The petition proposes to amend the food additive 
regulations in Sec. 176.170 Components of paper and paperboard in 
contact with aqueous and fatty foods (21 CFR 176.170) to provide for 
the safe use of diethylene glycol as a pulp bleaching agent for paper 
and paperboard intended for use in contact with food.
    The potential environmental impact of this action is being 
reviewed. To encourage public participation consistent with regulations 
promulgated under the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 
1501.4(b)), the agency is placing the environmental assessment 
submitted with the petition that is the subject of this notice on 
public display at the Dockets Management Branch (address above) for 
public review and comment. Interested persons may, on or before October 
30, 1996, submit to the Dockets Management Branch (address above) 
written comments. 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 9 
a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. FDA will also place on public 
display any amendments to, or comments on, the petitioner's 
environmental assessment without further announcement in the Federal 
Register. If, based on its review, the agency finds that an 
environmental impact statement is not required and this petition 
results in a regulation, the notice of availability of the agency's 
finding of no significant impact and the evidence supporting that 
finding will be published with the regulation in the Federal Register 
in accordance with 21 CFR 25.40(c).

    Dated: September 13, 1996.
Alan M. Rulis,
Directior, Office of Premarket Approval, Center for Food Safety and 
Applied Nutrition.
[FR Doc. 96-24966 Filed 9-27-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F