[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 207 (Friday, October 25, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65579-65580]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27198]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-03-05]


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 for opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed 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) 498-1210.
    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 or 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 60 days 
of this notice.
    Proposed Project: Microbial Contamination of Produce: A Field Study 
of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, OMB No. 0920-0487--Extension--National 
Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC).

Background

    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 produce

[[Page 65580]]

processing practices are associated with fecal contamination of fruits 
and vegetables. 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 
processing-shipping practices for five vulnerable produce groups (leafy 
greens, leafy herbs, green onions, cabbage, melon/cantaloupe). Critical 
practices where contamination with foodborne pathogens is likely will 
be identified by measuring the microbial quality of produce at each 
step during processing. Sources of fecal contamination will be 
determined by measuring the microbial quality of process water, 
measuring fecal indicator organisms on hand rinses from packing shed 
laborers, and conducting sanitary surveys of sources of human and 
animal feces in and around the processing areas. CDC, National Center 
for Environmental Health is requesting a 3-year clearance. There is no 
cost to respondents.

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                                                                      No. of       Avg. burden/
                   Respondents                        No. of        responses/     response  (in   Total burden
                                                    respondents     respondent        hours)        (in hours)
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Packing Facility Recruiting visit...............              20               1           30/60              10
Packing Shed Manager Interview (in person)......              20               2           30/60              20
Hand Rinse Sample Collection....................             100               2           30/60             100
                                                 -----------------
    Total.......................................  ..............  ..............  ..............             130
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    Dated: October 16, 2002.
John Moore,
Acting Associate Director, Policy, Planning and Evaluation, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 02-27198 Filed 10-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P