[Federal Register: May 6, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 87)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 23930-23931]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06my03-20]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
21 CFR Part 101
[Docket Nos. 91N-384H and 96P-0500]
RIN 0910-AC49
Food Labeling; Nutrient Content Claims, Definition of Sodium
Levels for the Term ``Healthy''; Extension of Comment Period
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is extending to July 5,
2003, the comment period for a proposed rule published in the Federal
Register of February 20, 2003. The proposed rule would amend the
regulation for sodium levels for foods that use the nutrient content
claim
[[Page 23931]]
``healthy.'' This action is being taken in response to a request for
more time to submit comments to FDA.
DATES: Submit written or electronic comments on the proposed rule by
July 5, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Dockets Management Branch
(HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061,
Rockville, MD 20852. Submit electronic comments to http://www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments
.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Constance B. Henry, Center for Food
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-830), Food and Drug Administration,
5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 02740-3835, 301-436-1450.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
In the Federal Register of February 20, 2003 (68 FR 8163), FDA
published a proposed rule that, if finalized, would amend the
regulation for sodium levels for foods that use the nutrient content
claim ``healthy.'' The agency proposed that a previously established,
but not yet implemented, more restrictive second-tier sodium level
would be permitted to take effect as a criterion that individual foods
must meet to qualify to bear the term ``healthy.'' The agency proposed
to retain the current first-tier sodium levels for meal and main dish
products because implementing the more restrictive second-tier sodium
level could result in the substantial elimination from the marketplace
of meal and main dish products bearing the claim ``healthy.''
In the February 20, 2003, proposed rule, FDA announced that the
time period for public comment would be 75 days from the date of the
publication in the Federal Register. On April 9, 2003, FDA received a
request to allow an additional 60 days for interested persons to
comment. In the requester's view, the time period of 75 days was
insufficient to respond fully to FDA's multiple requests for comments
and analyses and to enable all potential respondents adequate time to
conduct the research necessary to provide complete scientific responses
to questions posed in the proposed rule.
FDA believes that an extension of the comment period is
appropriate, given the variety of issues raised by the proposed rule.
Therefore, FDA is extending the comment period for an additional 60
days, until July 5, 2003. This extension will provide the public with a
total of 135 days to submit comments.
II. Comments
Interested persons may submit to the Dockets Management Branch (see
ADDRESSES) written or electronic comments regarding the proposal.
Submit a single copy of electronic comments or two paper copies of any
mailed comments, except that individuals may submit one paper copy.
Comments are to be identified with the docket numbers found in brackets
in the heading of this document. Received comments may be seen in the
Dockets Management Branch between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday.
Dated: May 1, 2003.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 03-11272 Filed 5-2-03; 11:12 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S