[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 6, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 16742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8441]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 99F-0720]


Arakawa Chemical Industries, Ltd.; 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 
Arakawa Chemical Industries, Ltd. has filed a petition proposing that 
the food additive regulations be amended to expand the safe use of 
hydrogenated aromatic petroleum hydrocarbon resins for use in blends 
with polymers intended for contact with food.

DATES:  Written comments on the petitioner's environmental assessment 
by May 6, 1999.
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:  Ellen M. Waldron, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-215), Food and Drug Administration, 
200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-418-3089.

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 9B4653) has been filed by Arakawa Chemical 
Industries, Ltd., c/o Keller and Heckman, LLP, 1001 G St. NW., suite 
500 West, Washington, DC 20001. The petition proposes to amend the food 
additive regulations in 21 CFR part 178--Indirect Food Additives: 
Adjuvants, Production Aids, and Sanitizers and in Sec. 177.1520 Olefin 
polymers (21 CFR 177.1520) to expand the safe use of hydrogenated 
aromatic petroleum hydrocarbon resins, for use in blends with polymers 
intended for contact with food.
    The potential environmental impact of this action is being 
reviewed. To encourage public participation consistent with regulations 
issued under the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 1501.4(b)), 
the agency is placing the environmental assessment submitted with the 
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 May 6, 1999, 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: March 22, 1999.
Laura M. Tarantino,
Acting Director, Office of Premarket Approval, Center for Food Safety 
and Applied Nutrition.
[FR Doc. 99-8441 Filed 4-5-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F