[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 150 (Tuesday, August 5, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46198-46199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19805]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. 2003P-0296]


Romano Cheese for Manufacturing 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 Kerry, Inc., Eau Galle Cheese 
Factory, and First District Association jointly to market test romano 
cheese for manufacturing that deviates from the U.S. standard of 
identity for romano cheese (21 CFR 133.183). The purpose of the 
temporary permit is to allow the co-applicants 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 test product is introduced or caused to be introduced into 
interstate commerce, but not later than November 3, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ritu Nalubola, 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 jointly to Kerry, 
Inc., 352 East Grand Ave., Beloit, WI 53511; Eau Galle Cheese Factory, 
N6765 State Hwy., Durand, WI 54736; and First District Association, 101 
South Swift Ave., Litchfield, MN 55355.
    The permit covers limited interstate marketing tests of products 
identified as ``Romano cheese for manufacturing made from cow's milk.'' 
These products may deviate from the U.S. standard of identity for 
romano cheese (21 CFR 133.183) in two ways. First, the product is 
formulated using an enzyme technology that fully cures the cheese in 2 
months rather than 5 months and, second, the product is intended only 
for further manufacturing into food ingredients. Except for these two 
deviations, the test product meets all the

[[Page 46199]]

requirements of the standard. The purpose of the temporary permit is to 
allow the co-applicants to measure consumer acceptance of the product, 
identify mass production problems, and assess commercial feasibility.
    The permit provides for the temporary marketing of a total of 9 
million pounds (4.1 million kilograms) of the test product. The test 
product will be manufactured by Eau Galle Cheese Factory at N6765 State 
Hwy., Durand, WI 54736 and by First District Association at 101 South 
Swift Ave., Litchfield, MN 55355. The test product then will be shipped 
to Kerry, Inc., plants in Wisconsin and Minnesota, where it will be 
further manufactured into food ingredients. The food ingredients will 
be distributed by Kerry, Inc., throughout the United States. Each of 
the ingredients used in the test product must be declared on the labels 
of the test product as required by the applicable sections of 21 CFR 
part 101. The 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 17, 2003.
Christine Taylor,
Director, Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling and Dietary 
Supplements, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
[FR Doc. 03-19805 Filed 8-5-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S