[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 187 (Thursday, September 27, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54892-54893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-19050]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request--WIC National Universal Product Code (NUPC) Database

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice invites the general public, and other public agencies to comment 
on a proposed information collection. This notice announces the Food 
and Nutrition Service's (FNS) intention to request Office of Management 
and Budget approval of the voluntary information collection process to 
be used in the National Universal Product Code (NUPC) database, an 
electronic national repository of Special Supplemental Nutrition 
Program for Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) eligible foods 
that have been authorized or approved by WIC State agencies. Section 
203(e)(12) of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 
requires the Secretary to establish an NUPC database for use by State 
agencies in carrying out the program.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received on or before 
November 26, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to Patricia N. Daniels, Director, 
Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 
22302. Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3507), 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 will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    All written comments will be open for public inspection at the 
office of the Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours 
(8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center Drive, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22302, Room 520.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval, and will become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of this information collection should be directed to Patty 
Davis, (703) 305-2746.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: The WIC National Universal Product Code (NUPC) database.
    OMB Number: To be assigned.
    Expiration Date: To be determined.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Abstract: The mandated NUPC database will serve as a repository of 
Universal Product Codes pertaining to WIC Program foods. The database 
will be accessible on a voluntary basis to both food manufacturers and 
WIC Program State agencies. It will provide a standardized format for 
manufacturers to electronically submit product information for 
consideration for inclusion in WIC State agency authorized food lists. 
The system will automatically screen products entered by manufacturers 
for compliance with minimum Federal regulatory requirements. State 
agencies will be able to review and select for approval those products 
that have successfully been screened. Each WIC State agency's list of 
approved foods will be available via the NUPC database. The database 
will initially be populated with product information that is available 
from the WIC State agencies currently operating an Electronic Benefits 
Transfer system. We assume this will provide product information for 
the majority of foods

[[Page 54893]]

that are currently authorized by WIC State agencies.
    Comments are being solicited on whether the NUPC will decrease the 
burden on WIC State agencies and manufacturers by providing a uniform 
data source for submitting products for WIC review and eligibility. The 
burden hours associated with this collection burden will be for updates 
to existing products and the addition of new products as they become 
available and authorized. We estimate that for this burden reporting 
period, 1,000 manufacturers will spend a total of 125 burden hours to 
report new product information and update existing product information 
when necessary; 20 State agencies (40 users) will spend a total of 5 
burden hours to report new product information, update existing product 
information, and, upload/download products to their State agency 
approved list, and 2 Federal users will spend a total of \1/2\ hour to 
report new infant formula product information and update formula 
product information when necessary. The total number of burden hours 
for this reporting period is 130.50 hours.
    Affected Public: Manufacturers, WIC State agencies, and Federal 
government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,022.
    Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 2,044.
    Hours per Response: 0.063.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 131.

    Dated: September 12, 2007.
Roberto Salazar,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. E7-19050 Filed 9-26-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P