[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 5011]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2532]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 97F-0035]


Ashland Chemical Co.; 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 
Ashland Chemical Co. has filed a petition proposing that the food 
additive regulations be amended to provide for the safe use of 
polypropylene glycol with a molecular weight of 1,200 to 3,000 as a 
defoaming agent in water for sliced potatoes.

DATES: Written comments on the petitioner's environmental assessment by 
March 5, 1997.

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: Vivian M. Gilliam, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-217), Food and Drug Administration, 
200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-418-3167.

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 6A4490) has been filed by Ashland Chemical Co., 
One Drew Plaza, Boonton, NJ 07005. The petition proposes to amend the 
food additive regulations in Sec. 173.340 Defoaming agents (21 CFR 
173.340) to provide for the use of polypropylene glycol with a 
molecular weight of 1,200 to 3,000 as a component of defoaming agents 
in water for sliced potatoes.
    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 original 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 March 
5, 1997, 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 brackets 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: January 17, 1997.
Alan M. Rulis,
Director, Office of Premarket Approval, Center for Food Safety and 
Applied Nutrition.
[FR Doc. 97-2532 Filed 1-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F