[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 175 (Thursday, September 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 48428]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24359]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

21 CFR Part 101

[Docket Nos. 98N-0426, 98N-0428, 98N-0427, 98N-0423, 98N-0424, 98N-
0419, 98N-0422, 98N-0421, and 98N-0420]


Food Labeling: Health Claims; Reopening of Comment Period

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Interim final rules; reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reopening to October 
8, 1998, the comment period for the nine interim final rules that 
appeared in the Federal Register of June 22, 1998 ((63 FR 34084), (63 
FR 34092), (63 FR 34097), (63 FR 34101), (63 FR 34104), (63 FR 34107), 
(63 FR 34110), (63 FR 34112), and (63 FR 34115)). The rules prohibit 
the use on food labels of claims that are not appropriately based on 
authoritative statements from scientific bodies or that otherwise do 
not meet the specifications of new legislation. Interested persons were 
given until September 8, 1998, to comment on the interim final rules. 
This action is being taken in response to requests to reopen the 
comment period.

DATES: Written comments by October 8, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Dockets Management Branch 
(HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, 
Rockville, MD 20852.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christine J. Lewis, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-451), Food and Drug Administration, 
200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-205-4168.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of June 22, 1998 
((63 FR 34084), (63 FR 34092), (63 FR 34097), (63 FR 34101), (63 FR 
34104), (63 FR 34107), (63 FR 34110), (63 FR 34112), and (63 FR 
34115)), FDA issued nine interim final rules prohibiting the use on 
food labels of claims that are not appropriately based on authoritative 
statements from scientific bodies or that otherwise do not meet the 
specifications of new legislation.
     Interested persons were given until September 8, 1998, to comment 
on the rules. FDA has received several requests for extending the 
comment period. After evaluating these requests, the agency has decided 
to reopen the comment period on the interim final rules until October 
8, 1998.
     To be considered, written comments regarding the interim final 
rules must be received by October 8, 1998, by the Dockets Management 
Branch (address above). Two copies of any comments are to be submitted, 
except that individuals may submit one copy. Comments are to be 
identified with Docket Nos. 98N-0426, 98N-0428, 98N-0427, 98N-0423, 
98N-0424, 98N-0419, 98N-0422, 98N-0421, and 98N-0420. Received comments 
may be seen in the Dockets Management Branch between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday.

    Dated: September 4, 1998
William K. Hubbard,
Associate Commissioner for Policy Coordination.
[FR Doc. 98-24359 Filed 9-4-98; 4:34 pm]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F