[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 215 (Monday, November 8, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60820-60821]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-29082]



DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 99P-4648]


Grated Parmesan Cheese Deviating From Identity Standard; 
Temporary Permit for Market Testing

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that a 
temporary permit has been issued to Sartori Foods Corp. to market test 
a product designated as ``Grated Parmesan Cheese'' that deviates from 
the U.S. standards of identity for parmesan cheese and grated cheeses. 
The purpose of the temporary permit is to allow the applicant to 
measure consumer

[[Page 60821]]

acceptance of the product, identify mass production problems, and 
assess commercial feasibility, in support of a petition to amend the 
standard of identity for parmesan cheese.

DATES: This permit is effective for 15 months, beginning on the date 
the food is introduced or caused to be introduced into interstate 
commerce, but not later than February 7, 2000.

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 accordance with 21 CFR 130.17 concerning 
temporary permits to facilitate market testing of foods deviating from 
the requirements of the standards of identity issued under section 401 
of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 341), FDA is 
giving notice that it has issued a temporary permit to Sartori Foods 
Corp., 107 Pleasant View Rd., P.O. Box 258, Plymouth, WI 53073.
    The permit covers 28 million pounds of interstate marketing test 
products identified as ``grated parmesan cheese'' that deviate from the 
U.S. standard of identity for parmesan cheese (21 CFR 133.165) and 
grated cheeses (21 CFR 133.146) in that the product is formulated by 
using a different enzyme technology that fully cures the cheese in 6 
months rather than 10 months. The test product meets all the 
requirements of the standards with the exception of this deviation. 
Because test preferences vary by area, along with social and 
environmental differences, the purpose of this permit is to test the 
product throughout the United States. Under this temporary permit, the 
parmesan cheese will be test marketed as grated parmesan cheese. The 
test product will bear the name ``Grated Parmesan Cheese.''
    This permit provides for the temporary marketing of 28 million 
pounds of grated parmesan cheese in 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 18, 20, and 50-
pound sizes. The test product will be manufactured at 12 West Main, 
Plymouth, WI 53073, 2 East Main, Plymouth, WI 53703, and 9001 North 
Lander Ave., Hilmar, CA 95324. The product will be aged, grated, and 
packaged for distribution at 12 West Main, Plymouth, WI 53073, and 2 
East Main, Plymouth, WI 53703. The product will be distributed 
throughout the United States.
    The information panel of the labels will bear nutrition labeling in 
accordance with 21 CFR 101.9. Each of the ingredients used in the food 
must be declared on the labels as required by the applicable sections 
of 21 CFR part 101.

    This permit is effective for 15 months, beginning on the date the 
food is introduced or caused to be introduced into interstate commerce, 
but not later than February 7, 2000.

    Dated: November 2, 1999.
Gerad L. McGowin,
Acting Director, Office of Food Labeling, Center for Food Safety and 
Applied Nutrition.
[FR Doc. 99-29082 Filed 11-5-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F