Alcide Corp.; Filing of Food Additive Petition

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that Alcide Corp. has filed a petition proposing that the food additive regulations be amended to expand the permitted use concentration and to expand the pH range for acidified sodium chlorite solutions as an antimicrobial agent in water and ice intended for use on seafood (fresh or saltwater).

DATES:

Submit written or electronic comments on the petitioner's environmental assessment by May 12, 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:

Mical E. Honigfort, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-265), Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740, 202-418-0714.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (sec. 409(b)(5) (21 U.S.C. 348(b)(5))), notice is given that a food additive petition (FAP 3A4743) has been filed by Alcide Corp., 8561 154th Ave. NE., Redmond, WA 98052-3557. The petition proposes to amend the food additive regulations in § 173.325 Acidified sodium chlorite solutions (21 CFR 173.325) to expand the permitted use concentration and to expand the pH range for acidified sodium chlorite solutions as an antimicrobial agent in water and ice intended for use on seafood (fresh or saltwater).

The potential environmental impact of this petition is being reviewed. To encourage public participation consistent with regulations issued under the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 1501.4(b)), the agency is placing the environmental assessment submitted with the petition that is the subject of this notice on public display at the Dockets Management Branch (address above) for public review and comment. Interested persons may, on or before, May 12, 2003, submit to the Dockets Management Branch (address above) written or electronic comments. Submit a single copy of electronic comments to http://www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments or two hard copies of any written comments, except that individuals may submit one copy. Comments are to be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document. Received comments may be seen in the office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. FDA will also place on public display any amendments to, or comments on, the petitioner's environmental assessment without further announcement in the Federal Register. If, based on its review, the agency finds that an environmental impact statement is not required, and this petition results in a regulation, the notice of availability of the agency's Finding of No Significant impact and the evidence supporting that finding will be published with the regulation in the Federal Register in accordance with 21 CFR 25.40(c).