[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 26, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14432-14433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7604]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 97N-0097]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing an 
opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain 
information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register 
concerning each proposed collection of information, and to allow 60 
days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits 
comments on a voluntary consumer survey about food safety.

DATES: Submit written comments on the collection of information by May 
27, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
the Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 
12420 Parklawn Dr., rm. 1-23, Rockville, MD 20857. All comments should 
be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the heading 
of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret R. Wolff, Office of 
Information Resources Management (HFA-250), Food and Drug 
Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, rm. 16B-19, Rockville, MD 20857, 
301-827-1223.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(the PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval 
from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of 
information they conduct or sponsor. ``Collection of information'' is 
defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency 
requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, 
keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 
3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires Federal 
agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning 
each proposed collection of information before submitting the 
collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, FDA is 
publishing notice of the proposed collection of information listed 
below.
    With respect to the following collection of information, FDA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of FDA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of FDA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques, when appropriate, and other forms of 
information technology.

Food Safety Survey--New Collection

    Under section 903(b)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act 
(21 U.S.C. 393(b)(2)), FDA is authorized to conduct research relating 
to foods and to conduct educational and public information programs 
relating to the safety of the nation's food supply. FDA is planning to 
conduct a consumer survey about food safety under this authority. The 
food safety survey will provide information about consumers' food 
safety awareness, knowledge, concerns, and practices. A nationally 
representative sample of 2,000 adults in households with telephones and 
cooking facilities will be selected at random and interviewed by 
telephone. Participation will be voluntary. Detailed information will 
be obtained about risk perception, perceived sources of food 
contamination, knowledge of particular microorganisms, safe care label 
use, food handling practices, consumption of raw foods from animals, 
information sources, and perceived foodborne illness experience. Most 
of the questions asked are identical to ones asked in a 1992-1993 
survey so that changes over this time period can be assessed.
    FDA estimates the burden of this collection of information as 
follows:

                                        Estimated Annual Reporting Burden                                       
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Annual                                                    
               No. of Respondents                  Frequency per   Total Annual      Hours per      Total Hours 
                                                     Response        Responses       Response                   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,000                                                   1           2,000                .5         1,000       
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection.                  


[[Page 14433]]

    This will be a one-time survey. The burden estimate is based on 
FDA's experience with the 1992-1993 survey mentioned in the previous 
paragraph.

    Dated: March 20, 1997.
William K. Hubbard,
Associate Commissioner for Policy Coordination.
[FR Doc. 97-7604 Filed 3-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F