[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 148 (Friday, August 1, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 45242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19576]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30 Day-56-03]


Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes a 
list of information collection requests under review by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). To request a copy of these requests, call 
the CDC Reports Clearance Officer at (404) 498-1210. Send written 
comments to CDC, Desk Officer, Human Resources and Housing Branch, New 
Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax 
to (202) 395-6974. Written comments should be received within 30 days 
of this notice.
    Proposed Project: Risk Factors for Microbial Contamination of 
Produce: A Field Study of Domestic and Imported Produce in Packing 
Sheds (OMB No. 0920-0487)--Reinstatement--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 
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 
three-year clearance. The total burden hours is estimated to be 172.5.

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                                                                                     Number of     Avg. burden/
                           Respondents                               Number of      responses/     response  (in
                                                                    respondents     respondent        hours)
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Packing Facility Recruiting visit...............................              25               1           30/60
Packing Shed Manager Interview (in person)......................              20               6           30/60
Hand Rinse Sample Collection....................................             100               6           10/60
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    Dated: July 24, 2003.
Laura Y. Martin,
Acting Associate Director for Policy, Planning and Evaluation, Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-19576 Filed 7-31-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P