Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Affirmation of Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) Status

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

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 extension of an existing information collection, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information collection requirements for reporting and recordkeeping, general and specific requirements, and availability of sample electronic product for manufacturers and distributors of electronic products.

DATES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information by September 5, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information to the Dockets Management Branch (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:

Peggy Schlosburg, Office of Information Resources Management (HFA-250), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-1223.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 extension 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: (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.

Affirmation of Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) Status (21 CFR 170.35(c)(1))—(OMB Control Number 0910-0132)—Extension

Under authority of sections 201, 402, 409, and 701 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act) (21 U.S.C. 321, 342, 348, and 371), FDA reviews petitions for affirmation as GRAS that are submitted on a voluntary basis by the food industry and other interested parties. Under section 409 of the act, the agency has the authority to regulate food additives. Section 201(s) of the act, defines “food additive” and expressly excludes from the definition substances GRAS for use in food.

Specifically under section 201(s) of the act, a substance is GRAS if it is generally recognized among experts qualified by scientific training and experience to evaluate its safety, to be safe through either scientific procedures or common use in food. The act has historically been interpreted to permit food manufacturers to make their own determination that use of a substance in food is GRAS. To implement the GRAS provisions of the act, FDA has issued procedural regulations under § 170.35(c)(1) (21 CFR 170.35(c)(1)). These regulations establish a process by which a person may obtain FDA concurrence with a GRAS determination; this concurrence is referred to as “GRAS affirmation.” These regulations set forth the information to be submitted to FDA to obtain agency concurrence that a substance is GRAS (§ 170.35(c)(1)).

GRAS petitions are reviewed by FDA to ascertain whether the available data establish that the intended use of the substance is GRAS based upon either a history of the safe use of the substance, or upon widely available safety data (scientific procedures). The GRAS affirmation process is a voluntary one, and there is some risk that FDA may not agree with the petitioner's GRAS determination. The GRAS petition process does provide a public procedure for coordinating GRAS determinations. The process reduces the potential for public health problems when substances are marketed based upon unwarranted safety determinations and allows a food manufacturer to rely on the lawful status of a substance that has been affirmed by FDA as GRAS.

FDA estimates the burden of this collection of information as follows:

FDA estimates that it may receive one GRAS petition annually. Although the burden varies with the type, size, and complexity of the petition submitted, GRAS petitions may involve analytical work, analysis of appropriate toxicological studies, and the work of drafting the petition itself. Since 1980, FDA has not received any petitions for affirmation of GRAS status under 21 CFR part 186—Indirect Food Substances Affirmed As Generally Recognized As Safe. Section 184.1(a) (21 CFR 184.1(a)) affirms the use of those substances affirmed as GRAS in 21 CFR part 184—Direct Food Substances Affirmed As Generally Recognized As Safe, for use as indirect food ingredients.