[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 20, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56835-56836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24123]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

21 CFR Part 101

[Docket No. 00N-1351]


Food Labeling; Use of the Term ``Fresh'' for Foods Processed With 
Alternative Nonthermal Technologies

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Reopening of the comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reopening to 
November 20, 2000, the comment period for a document published in the 
Federal Register of July 3, 2000 (65 FR 41029), that announced a public 
meeting to discuss use of the term ``fresh'' for foods processed with 
alternative technologies. FDA is taking this action in response to a 
request for more time to submit comments to FDA.

DATES: Submit written comments by November 20, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Dockets Management Branch 
(HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, rm. 1061, 5630 Fishers Lane, 
Rockville, MD 20852. You may also send comments to the Dockets 
Management Branch at the following e-mail address: 
[email protected] or via the FDA Internet at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/oc/dockets/comments/commentdocket.cfm.

[[Page 56836]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Geraldine A. June, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-822), Food and Drug Administration, 
200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-205-4168 or FAX 202-205-5295.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Reopening of Comment Period

    In the Federal Register of July 3, 2000 (65 FR 41029), FDA (we) 
published a document announcing a public meeting to discuss the use of 
the term ``fresh'' on foods processed with alternative nonthermal 
technologies. In that document, we solicited public input on whether 
use of the term ``fresh'' is truthful and nonmisleading in the labeling 
of foods processed with these technologies and on what criteria we 
should use when considering use of the term with future technologies. 
We stated that we would make available at our Dockets Management Branch 
and on our website the transcript of the public meeting. Also in that 
document, we stated that interested parties may submit comments to the 
docket until August 21, 2000.
    Following the public meeting, FDA received a comment from a trade 
association requesting more time for interested parties to comment. The 
trade association stated that the testimony presented at the public 
meeting made it evident that the issues surrounding the use of the term 
``fresh'' on foods processed with new technologies are quite 
complicated. The trade association maintained that additional time is 
needed for careful consideration of the scientific and technical topics 
on which FDA is seeking comments. FDA believes that reopening the 
comment period until Novembr 20, 2000, is appropriate. Reopening the 
comment period will allow the public adequate time to read the 
transcript of the public meeting and to carefully consider the topics 
we are seeking input on before preparing their comments.

II. How To Submit Comments

    Interested persons may, on or before November 20, 2000, submit 
written comments to the Dockets Management Branch (address above). You 
may also send comments to the Dockets Management Branch at the 
following e-mail address: [email protected] or via the FDA Internet 
at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/oc/dockets/comments/commentdocket.cfm. Please address your comments to the docket number 
given at the beginning of this document. You must submit two copies of 
comments, identified with the docket number found in brackets in the 
heading of this document, except that you may submit one copy if you 
are an individual. You may review received comments in the Dockets 
Management Branch between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

    Dated: September 12, 2000
William K. Hubbard,
Senior Associate Commissioner for Policy, Planning, and Legislation.
[FR Doc. 00-24123 Filed 9-19-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F