[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 25, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 14390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7664]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

21 CFR Part 101

[Docket Nos. 96P-0023 and 96P-0179]


Food Labeling; Serving Sizes; Reference Amounts for Candies; 
Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is extending to May 26, 
1998, the comment period for the proposal to amend the nutrition 
labeling regulations pertaining to reference amounts for certain candy 
products that published in the Federal Register of January 8, 1998 (63 
FR 1078). The agency is taking this action in response to a request for 
an extension of the comment period. This extension is intended to 
provide interested persons with additional time to submit comments to 
FDA on its proposal.

DATES: Written comments by May 26, 1998.

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: Lori A. LeGault, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-165), Food and Drug Administration, 
200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-205-5269.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of January 8, 1998 
(63 FR 1078), FDA published a proposed rule to amend the nutrition 
labeling regulations to modify the product category ``Sugars and 
Sweets: Hard Candies, others'' by adding ``after-dinner mints, 
caramels, fondants (e.g., plain mints, candy corn), and liquid and 
powdered candies'' as kinds of products included under the category, 
and a reference amount customarily consumed per eating occasion 
(reference amount) of 15 milliliters (mL) for liquid candies; create a 
new product category under ``Sugars and Sweets,'' identified as 
``Chocolate-covered fondants (e.g., chocolate-covered creams, 
chocolate-covered mints), taffy, and plain toffee,'' with a reference 
amount of 30 grams; and clarify what kinds of candies belong to the 
``All other candies'' product category by expanding the category name 
to include specific examples. Interested persons were given until March 
24, 1998, to submit comments on the proposal.
    FDA has received a letter from two trade associations requesting 
that the agency grant a 60-day extension of the comment period on the 
proposed rule. The requests contend that additional time is needed to 
coordinate comments with numerous member companies. The agency 
acknowledges that the proposed rule is quite technical in nature and, 
after consideration, has decided to grant an extension of the comment 
period until May 26, 1998.
    Interested persons may, on or before May 26, 1998, submit to the 
Dockets Management Branch (address above) written comments regarding 
this proposed rule. 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: March 18, 1998.
William K. Hubbard,
Associate Commissioner for Policy Coordination.
[FR Doc. 98-7664 Filed 3-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F