Food for human consumption: Food labeling— Health claims (9 documents); comment period reopening,

[Federal Register: September 10, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 175)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 48428]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr10se98-8]

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

21 CFR Part 101

[Docket Nos. 98N-0426, 98N-0428, 98N-0427, 98N-0423, 98N-0424, 98N- 0419, 98N-0422, 98N-0421, and 98N-0420]

Food Labeling: Health Claims; Reopening of Comment Period

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Interim final rules; reopening of comment period.

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reopening to October 8, 1998, the comment period for the nine interim final rules that appeared in the Federal Register of June 22, 1998 ((63 FR 34084), (63 FR 34092), (63 FR 34097), (63 FR 34101), (63 FR 34104), (63 FR 34107), (63 FR 34110), (63 FR 34112), and (63 FR 34115)). The rules prohibit the use on food labels of claims that are not appropriately based on authoritative statements from scientific bodies or that otherwise do not meet the specifications of new legislation. Interested persons were given until September 8, 1998, to comment on the interim final rules. This action is being taken in response to requests to reopen the comment period.

DATES: Written comments by October 8, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christine J. Lewis, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-451), Food and Drug Administration, 200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-205-4168.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of June 22, 1998 ((63 FR 34084), (63 FR 34092), (63 FR 34097), (63 FR 34101), (63 FR 34104), (63 FR 34107), (63 FR 34110), (63 FR 34112), and (63 FR 34115)), FDA issued nine interim final rules prohibiting the use on food labels of claims that are not appropriately based on authoritative statements from scientific bodies or that otherwise do not meet the specifications of new legislation. Interested persons were given until September 8, 1998, to comment on the rules. FDA has received several requests for extending the comment period. After evaluating these requests, the agency has decided to reopen the comment period on the interim final rules until October 8, 1998. To be considered, written comments regarding the interim final rules must be received by October 8, 1998, by the Dockets Management Branch (address above). Two copies of any comments are to be submitted, except that individuals may submit one copy. Comments are to be identified with Docket Nos. 98N-0426, 98N-0428, 98N-0427, 98N-0423, 98N-0424, 98N-0419, 98N-0422, 98N-0421, and 98N-0420. Received comments may be seen in the Dockets Management Branch between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Dated: September 4, 1998 William K. Hubbard, Associate Commissioner for Policy Coordination.

[FR Doc. 98-24359Filed9-4-98; 4:34 pm]

BILLING CODE 4160-01-F