[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 149 (Monday, August 4, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 45827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19658]



[[Page 45827]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. 2003P-0313]


Canned Tuna Deviating From Identity Standard; Temporary Permit 
for Market Testing

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that a 
temporary permit has been issued to Bumble Bee Seafoods, Inc., to 
market test a product designated as ``Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna 
`Touch of Lemon' in water, with natural lemon flavor'' that deviates 
from the U.S. standard of identity for canned tuna. The purpose of the 
temporary permit is to allow the applicant to measure consumer 
acceptance of the product, identify mass production problems, and 
assess commercial feasibility.

DATES: This permit is effective for 15 months, beginning on the date 
the food is introduced or caused to be introduced into interstate 
commerce, but not later than Novemeber 3, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda McCollum, Center for Food Safety 
and Applied Nutrition (HFS-820), Food and Drug Administration, 5100 
Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740, 301-436-2371.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 21 CFR 130.17 concerning 
temporary permits to facilitate market testing of foods deviating from 
the requirements of the standards of identity issued under section 401 
of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 341), FDA is 
giving notice that a temporary permit has been issued to Bumble Bee 
Seafoods, Inc., P.O. Box 85362, 9655 Granite Ridge Dr., suite 100, San 
Diego, CA 92123.
    The permit covers limited interstate marketing tests of products 
identified as ``Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna `Touch of Lemon' in water, 
with natural lemon flavor'' that deviate from the U.S. standard of 
identity for canned tuna (21 CFR 161.190) in that lemon juice and lemon 
oil will be used as flavoring ingredients instead of lemon oil and 
citric acid. Also, the product will be labeled ``in water, with natural 
lemon flavor'' rather than ``lemon flavored chunk light tuna.'' In all 
other respects, the test product will conform to the standard for 
canned tuna. The purpose of this permit is to test the product 
throughout the United States.
    This permit provides for the temporary marketing of approximately 
20,000 tons (20,321,200 kilograms) of product packaged in 1.9 million 
cases. The test product will be manufactured by Bumble Bee Seafoods, 
Inc., 13100 Arctic Circle, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670; and at Bumble 
Bee International, Inc., Malecon Industrial Zone, Jose Gonzalez 
Clemente Ave., Rd. 341 Km 4.5, Mayaguez, PR 00680. The product will be 
distributed throughout the United States.
    The information panel of the labels will bear nutrition labeling in 
accordance with 21 CFR 101.9. Each of the ingredients used in the food 
must be declared on the labels as required by the applicable sections 
of 21 CFR part 101. This permit is effective for 15 months, beginning 
on the date the food is introduced or caused to be introduced into 
interstate commerce, but not later than November 3, 2003.

    Dated: July 21, 2003.
Christine Taylor,
Director, Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling and Dietary 
Supplements, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
[FR Doc. 03-19658 Filed 8-1-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S