[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 231 (Monday, December 2, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71576-71577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-30403]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. 01D-0503]


Compliance Policy Guide: ``Filth from Insects, Rodents, and Other 
Pests in Food''; Availability

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the 
availability of a compliance policy guide (CPG) entitled ``Filth from 
Insects, Rodents, and Other Pests in Food.'' The purpose of this CPG is 
to revise and clarify existing guidance on the interpretation of filth 
in foods within the context of current science. The CPG provides 
guidance to FDA components as well as to the industry.

DATES: Submit written or electronic comments concerning the CPG at any 
time.

ADDRESSES: Submit written requests for single copies of the CPG ``Filth 
from Insects, Rodents, and Other Pests in Food'' to the Director, 
Division of Compliance Policy (HFC-230), Office of Enforcement, Food 
and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Send 
two self-addressed adhesive labels to assist that office in processing 
your request, or FAX your request to 301-827-0482. See the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for electronic access to the 
document.
    Submit written comments on the CPG to the Dockets Management Branch 
(HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm 1061, 
Rockville, MD 20852. Submit electronic comments to http://www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Technical Questions Concerning Filth in Foods: Alan R. Olsen, 
Microanalytical Branch (HFS-315), Office of Plant, Dairy Foods, and 
Beverages, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug 
Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740-3835, 
301-436-1962, FAX 301-436-2644.
    Questions Concerning Regulatory Actions: Nina Adler, Division of 
Compliance Policy (HFC-230), Office of Enforcement, Office of 
Regulatory Affairs, Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, 
Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-0417, FAX 301-827-0482.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 71577]]

I. Background

    In a notice published in the Federal Register of December 18, 2001 
(66 FR 65214), FDA announced the availability of a draft CPG entitled 
``Filth from Insects, Rodents, and Other Pests in Food.'' FDA has 
finalized the draft CPG after receiving no comments on the document. 
The CPG revises and clarifies existing guidance on foods that contain 
filth from insects, rodents, and other pests to reflect recent advances 
in science. The purpose of this CPG is to provide clear policy to FDA's 
field and headquarters staff with regard to filth from insects, 
rodents, and other pests in foods. It also contains information that 
may be useful to the regulated industry and to the public.
    The CPG supersedes the current CPG and represents the agency's 
current thinking on the subject. It does not create or confer any 
rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind FDA or the 
public. An alternative approach may be used if such an approach 
satisfies the requirements of applicable statutes or regulations.
    This level 1 guidance is being issued consistent with FDA's good 
guidance practices regulation (21 CFR 10.115).

II. Comments

    Interested persons may submit to the Docket Management Branch (see 
ADDRESSES) written or electronic comments on the CPG entitled ``Filth 
from Insects, Rodents, and Other Pests in Food'' at any time. Two 
copies of any comments are to be submitted, except that individuals may 
submit one copy. Comments are to be identified with the docket number 
found in the brackets in the heading of this document. A copy of the 
CPG and received comments may be seen in the Dockets Management Branch 
(see ADDRESSES) between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

III. Electronic Access

    Copies of the CPG also may be downloaded to a personal computer 
with access to the Internet. The Office of Regulatory Affairs home page 
includes the CPG and may be accessed at http://www.fda.gov/ora under 
``Compliance References.''

    Dated: November 4, 2002.
John M. Taylor,
Senior Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 02-30403 Filed 11-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S