[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 193 (Monday, October 6, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 52057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-26450]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
21 CFR Parts 101, 161, and 501
[Docket No. 92P-0441]
Food Labeling; Net Quantity of Contents; Compliance; Reopening of
Comment Period
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period.
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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reopening until
December 1, 1997, the comment period on a proposed rule that was
published in the Federal Register of March 4, 1997 (62 FR 9826). The
document proposed to revise the agency's human and animal food labeling
regulations that pertain to declarations of net quantity of contents on
food packages. This action is being taking to allow interested persons
additional time to submit comments to FDA on a survey sponsored by the
Federal Trade Commission on the accuracy of net content labeling of
milk and other products.
DATES: Written comments by December 1, 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: Loretta A. Carey, Center for Food
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-158), Food and Drug Administration,
200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-205-5099.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of March 4, 1997 (62
FR 9826), FDA published a proposed rule to revise its human and animal
food labeling regulations that pertain to declarations of net quantity
of contents on food packages. That proposal set out procedures for
determining whether net quantity of contents declarations accurately
reflect the amount of product in food packages. Interested persons were
given until June 2, 1997, to comment on the proposed rule. In the
Federal Register of May 30, 1997 (62 FR 29313), the agency extended the
comment period for an additional 90 days. The comment period closed on
September 2, 1997.
FDA has received two requests for a second 90-day extension of the
comment period on its proposed rule on net quantity of contents on food
packages. The requests were from trade associations that represent
major segments of both the food and feed industries. Both requests
stated that industry representatives would need this extension in light
of the national 20-State survey regarding the accuracy of net content
labeling of milk and, to a lesser extent, of other dairy products (such
as yogurt and cottage cheese) and of juice. The survey was conducted
because of State and local reports of short-filling in packages of milk
served in schools or sold in retail stores. The survey was made
available on July 17, 1997. The requests for extension of the comment
period stated that the industry representatives needed additional time
to review and analyze this study before they could complete their
comments.
FDA informally granted an extension of 28 days until September 30,
1997, under the provisions in 21 CFR 10.40(b)(3)(ii). The agency has
now decided, however, that extending the comment period until December
1, 1997, as requested, will allow interested persons to fully review
and analyze the data from the national survey. This extension will
ensure that there is full consideration of all data and issues relating
to the agency's net quantity of contents proposal.
Interested persons may, on or before December 1, 1997, submit to
the Dockets Management Branch (address above) written comments
regarding this proposal. 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.
Dated: September 30, 1997.
William K. Hubbard,
Associate Commissioner for Policy Coordination.
[FR Doc. 97-26450 Filed 10-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F