[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 33 (Tuesday, February 19, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11611-11612]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03778]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

21 CFR Parts 16 and 112

[Docket No. FDA-2011-N-0921]
RIN 0910-AG35


Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of 
Produce for Human Consumption; Extension of Comment Period for 
Information Collection Provisions

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period for information 
collection provisions.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or ``we'') is extending 
the comment period for the information collection provisions of the 
proposed rule on ``Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and 
Holding of Produce for Human Consumption'' that appeared in the Federal 
Register of January 16, 2013. In the preamble to the proposed rule, FDA 
requested comments on the information collection provisions that are 
subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. We are taking this action in 
response to requests for an extension to allow interested persons 
additional time to submit comments on the information collection 
provisions associated with the rule.

DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule published January 16, 
2013 (78 FR 3504), is extended. Submit

[[Page 11612]]

either electronic or written comments by May 16, 2013.

ADDRESSES: To ensure that comments on information collection are 
received, OMB recommends that written comments be faxed to the Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attn: FDA Desk Officer, 
FAX: 202-395-7285, or emailed to [email protected]. All 
comments should be identified with the title ``Standards for the 
Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human 
Consumption.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Domini Bean, Office of Information 
Management, Food and Drug Administration, 1350 Picard Dr., PI50-400T, 
Rockville, MD 20850, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    In the Federal Register of January 16, 2013 (78 FR 3504), FDA 
published a proposed rule entitled ``Standards for the Growing, 
Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption'' 
with a 120-day comment period on the provisions of the proposed rule 
and a 30-day comment period on the information collection provisions 
that are subject to review by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). Comments on the provisions of the rule and 
on the information collection provisions will inform FDA's rulemaking 
to establish science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, 
harvesting, packing, and holding of produce for human consumption to 
minimize the risk of serious adverse health consequences or death from 
consumption of contaminated produce.
    We have received a request for a 90-day extension of the comment 
period for the information collection provisions of the proposed rule. 
The request conveyed concern that the current 30-day comment period 
does not allow sufficient time to provide meaningful input on the 
information collection provisions submitted to OMB under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995.
    We have considered the request and are extending the comment period 
for the information collection for 90 days, until May 16, 2013. We 
believe that a 90-day extension allows adequate time for interested 
persons to submit comments without significantly delaying rulemaking on 
these important issues. A 90-day extension also will make the comment 
period for the information collection provisions the same as the 
comment period for the provisions of the proposed rule.

II. Request for Comments

    Interested persons may either submit electronic comments regarding 
the information collection to [email protected] or fax 
written comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
OMB, Attn: FDA Desk Officer, FAX: 202-395-7285. All comments should be 
identified with the title ``Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, 
Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption.''

    Dated: February 13, 2013.
Leslie Kux,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2013-03778 Filed 2-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-P