[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 108 (Monday, June 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30298-30299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14307]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service


Notice of Request to Extend a Currently Approved Information 
Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Agricultural Research Service's intent to request 
an extension of a currently approved information collection, the 
Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) 1999-2002.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received August 11, 1999 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Alanna J. Moshfegh, 
Research Leader, Food Surveys Research Group, Beltsville Human 
Nutrition Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 4700 River Road, Unit 83, Riverdale, MD 
29737, (301) 734-8457.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) 
1999-2002.
    OMB Control Number: 0518-0023.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 1999.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection, the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals 
(CSFII).
    Abstract: USDA has been conducting nationwide food surveys since 
the 1930's as one means of fulfilling its responsibility to ensure the 
health and well-being of Americans through improved nutrition. USDA 
food consumption surveys measure the levels and shifts in the food and 
nutrient content and the nutritional adequacy of U.S. diets over time, 
and provide other information pertinent to understanding diets and 
their determinants.
    The Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) is a 
major component of the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related 
Research Program (NNMRRP), established by the National Nutrition 
Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-445). The CSFII 
addresses the requirement of the 1990 Act for continuous monitoring of 
the dietary and nutritional status of the U.S. population and trends 
with respect to such status by obtaining information on food intakes by 
individuals. Another component of the NNMRRP, the Diet and Health 
Knowledge Survey (DHKS), is included in the CSFII. The DHKS is the 
first national survey designed so that data on individuals' attitudes 
and knowledge about nutrition and health can be linked directly to data 
on their food and nutrient intakes.
    The primary public policy applications of USDA's food consumption 
survey data include evaluating the adequacy of American diets in 
relationship to scientific and Federal dietary recommendations and 
goals. Applications include monitoring the dietary status of at-risk 
population subgroups including children, the elderly, low-income, etc; 
assessing the nutritional impact of Federal food assistance programs; 
estimating exposure to pesticide residues, food additives, and 
contaminants; and monitoring and evaluating food use across the 
population specifically as it relates to food safety issues. Under the 
Food Quality Protection Act of 1996, the CSFII provides food 
consumption data for use in improving the accuracy and quality of EPA 
dietary risk assessments. Other applications include developing food 
fortification, enrichment, and labeling policies and assessing the 
nutritional impact of those policies; and assessing demand for 
agricultural products.
    Accurate and timely food consumption data in an electronic, user-
friendly format is a goal essential for meeting the information needs 
of these applications. The CSFII 1999-2002 interviews will use a 
computer-assisted telephone mode of collection. A newly developed USDA 
multiple-pass 24-hour recall method will be used to collect the dietary 
information. The sample will be drawn through a list-assisted random-
digit dialing approach with the full U.S. population covered each year. 
Future plans include integrating the CSFII with the DHHS' National 
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, allowing for a significant 
increase in sample size and coverage of population subgroups and use of 
a common dietary methodology and nutrient data base.
    For the past two years extensive methodologic research has been 
conducted to develop an improved USDA multiple-pass 24-hour recall 
method to collect the dietary information by telephone. Both cognitive 
research and field tests have been conducted as components of this 
research. Activities also have been ongoing to automate the recall 
method and other survey questionnaires for administration by telephone. 
During the next year, development and testing of the computer-assisted 
recall method and other questionnaires will continue. The computer-
assisted telephone interviews will be tested and evaluated in two 
nationwide pilot studies. Data collection for the main CSFII will begin 
January 2001.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 90 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Non-institutionalized individuals of all ages residing 
in private households in the U.S.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,000 over 1 year.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,500 hours.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Lori G. Borrud, Food Surveys Research 
Group, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Agricultural 
Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 4700 River Road, Unit 
83, Riverdale, MD 20737, (301) 734-8457.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of collection of information on those who are to 
respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Alanna 
J. Moshfegh, Food Surveys Research Group, Beltsville Human Nutrition 
Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 4700 River Road, Unit 83, Riverdale, MD 20737, (301) 734-
8457.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.


[[Page 30299]]


    Signed at Beltsville, MD, May 27, 1999.
Phyllis E. Johnson,
Director, Beltsville Area, Agricultural Research Service.
[FR Doc. 99-14307 Filed 6-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P