[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53878-53879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-21624]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2008-N-0487]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Food Safety Survey

AGENCY:  Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:  Notice.

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SUMMARY:  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing an 
opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain 
information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(the PRA), Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the 
Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, 
including each proposed reinstatement of an existing collection of 
information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the 
notice. This notice solicits comments on a voluntary consumer survey 
about food safety.

DATES:  Submit written or electronic comments on the collection of 
information by November 17, 2008.

ADDRESSES:  Submit electronic comments on the collection of information 
to http://www.regulations.gov. Submit written comments on the 
collection of information to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-
305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, 
Rockville, MD 20852. All comments should be identified with the docket 
number found in brackets in the heading of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Jonna Capezzuto, Office of 
Information Management (HFA-710), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 
Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-796-3794.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain 
approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each 
collection of information they conduct or sponsor. ``Collection of 
information'' is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and 
includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public 
submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. 
Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires 
Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register 
concerning each proposed collection of information, including each 
proposed reinstatement of an existing collection of information, before 
submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this 
requirement, FDA is publishing notice of the proposed collection of 
information set forth in this document.
    With respect to the following collection of information, FDA 
invites comments on these topics: (1) Whether the proposed collection 
of information is necessary for the proper performance of FDA's 
functions, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of FDA's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques, when 
appropriate, and other forms of information technology.

Food Safety Survey (OMB Control Number 0910-0345--Reinstatement)

    Under section 903(b)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act 
(21 U.S.C. 393(b)(2)), FDA is authorized to conduct research relating 
to foods and to conduct educational and public information programs 
relating to the safety of the nation's food supply. The Food Safety 
Survey is a nationally

[[Page 53879]]

representative survey of consumers' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs 
about food safety. Previous versions of the survey were collected in 
1988, 1993, 1998, 2001, and 2006. Data from the previous surveys are 
being used to evaluate two Healthy People 2010 objectives: (1) Increase 
the proportion of consumers who follow key food safety practices 
(Objective 10-5), and (2) reduce severe allergic reactions to food 
among adults (Objective 10-4b). Additionally, data are used to measure 
trends in consumer food safety habits including hand and cutting board 
washing, cooking practices, and use of food thermometers. Finally, data 
are used to evaluate educational messages and to inform policymakers 
about consumer attitudes about novel technologies such as food 
irradiation and biotechnology.
    Since 2006, there have been several high profile recalls of FDA-
regulated food due to contamination. Information about food recalls 
does not always reach the intended audience (Refs. 1, 2, and 3). The 
Food Safety Survey planned for 2009 will look specifically at reasons 
why consumers do not always heed food recall alerts. A new food recall 
module will be added that contains new questions to learn about how 
recent food recalls have affected consumer confidence in the food 
supply and what effect, if any, they have on consumers' home food 
safety behaviors. This information will help FDA develop strategies to 
more effectively communicate food recall information to the public.
    The methods for the 2009 version of the Food Safety Survey will be 
the same as for the previous Food Safety Surveys. A nationally 
representative sample of 4,000 adults in households with telephones 
will be selected at random and interviewed by telephone. This survey 
will include an oversample of Hispanics with a minimum of 500 Hispanics 
sampled. Additionally, 200 initial non-respondents will be asked to 
participate in a short version of the survey to conduct a non-response 
analysis. Participation will be voluntary. Cognitive interviews and a 
pre-test will be conducted prior to fielding the survey.
    FDA estimates the burden of this collection of information as 
follows:

                                  Table 1--Estimated Annual Reporting Burden\1\
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                       No. of         Annual Frequency       Total Annual        Hours per
    Activity        Respondents         per Response          Responses          Response         Total Hours
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Cognitive                       20                     1                 20            1                      20
 Interviews
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Pretest                         27                     1                 27            0.5                    14
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Screener                    10,000                     1             10,000             .0167                167
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Survey                       4,000                     1              4,000             .30                1,200
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Non-response                   200                     1                200             .10                   20
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Total                                                                                                      1,421
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\1\ There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of
  information.

    FDA's burden estimate is based on the agency's prior experience 
with the Food Safety Survey.
    Please note that on January 15, 2008, the FDA Division of Dockets 
Management Web site transitioned to the Federal Dockets Management 
System (FDMS). FDMS is a Government-wide, electronic docket management 
system. Electronic comments or submissions will be accepted by FDA only 
through FDMS at http://www.regulations.gov.

II. References

    1. Cuite, C.L., S.C. Condry, M.L. Nucci, W.K. Hallman. ``Public 
Response to the Contaminated Spinach Recall of 2006.'' (Publication 
number RR-0107-013), 2007. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers, the State 
University of New Jersey, Food Policy Institute.
    2. Mahon, B.E., L. Slutsker, L. Hutwagner, C. Drenzek, K. 
Maloney, K. Toomey, P.M. Griffin. ``Consequences in Georgia of a 
Nationwide Outbreak of Salmonella Infections: What You Don't Know 
Might Hurt You.'' American Journal of Public Health. 89(1):31-35, 
1999.
    3. Patrick, M.E., P.M. Griffin, A.C. Voetsch, P.S. Mead, 
``Effectiveness of Recall Notification: Community Response to a 
Nationwide Recall of Hot Dogs and Deli Meats.'' Journal of Food 
Protection. 70(10):2373-2376, 2007.

    Dated: September 10, 2008.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Associate Commissioner for Policy and Planning.
[FR Doc. E8-21624 Filed 9-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S