[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 147 (Monday, July 31, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46716-46717]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19208]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-57-00]


Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) is providing opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects. To request more information on the 
proposed projects or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and 
instruments, call the CDC Reports Clearance Officer on (404) 639-7090.
    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 shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques for other 
forms of information technology. Send comments to Seleda Perryman, CDC 
Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D24, 
Atlanta, GA 30333. Written comments should be received within 30 days 
of this notice.

Proposed Project

    Microbial Contamination of Produce: A Field Study in the Lower Rio 
Grande Valley, Texas--New--National Center for Environmental Health 
(NCEH). Foodborne diseases are common; an estimated 6-33 million cases 
occur each year in the United States. Although most of these infections 
cause mild illness, severe infections and serious complications do 
occur. The public health challenges of foodborne diseases are changing 
rapidly. In recent years, new and emerging foodborne pathogens have 
been described and changes in food production have led to new food 
safety concerns. Foodborne diseases have been associated with many 
different foods, including recent outbreaks linked to contaminated 
fresh fruits (e.g., cantaloupe, strawberries) and vegetables (e.g., 
leaf lettuce, alfalfa sprouts).
    NCEH proposes to conduct a study to determine what specific farm 
and produce processing practices are

[[Page 46717]]

associated with fecal contamination of fruits and vegetables. Growing, 
handling and processing methods used in the produce industry may 
increase the risk that these foods will become contaminated with fecal 
matter. The study will describe the chain of farm to shipping practices 
for three vulnerable produce groups (leafy lettuces, leafy herbs, green 
onions). Critical agricultural practices where contamination with 
foodborne pathogens is likely will be identified by measuring the 
microbial quality of produce at each step during harvesting and 
processing (farm to shipping). Sources of fecal contamination will be 
determined by measuring the microbial quality of irrigation and process 
water, measuring fecal indicator organisms on hand rinses from farm 
laborers and handlers, and conducting sanitary surveys of sources of 
human and animal feces in and around the farms and processing areas. 
CDC/NCEH is requesting a 3-year clearance. The total annual burden 
hours are 54.2.

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                                                                                                   Avg. burden/
                           Respondents                                No. of        Responses/      respondent
                                                                    respondents     respondents      (in hrs.)
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Farm Recruiting visit...........................................              14               1           30/60
Packing Facility Recruiting visit...............................               9               1           30/60
Farm Manager interview (in person)..............................              12               2           30/60
Packing Facility Manager interview (in person)..................               8               1           30/60
Hand rinse sample collection....................................             160               1           30/60
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    Dated: July 21, 2000.
Nancy Cheal,
Acting Associate Director for Policy, Planning, and Evaluation, Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 00-19208 Filed 7-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P