
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 5201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2279]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

21 CFR Part 173

[Docket No. FDA-2011-F-0853]


Ecolab, Inc.; Filing of Food Additive Petition

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of petition.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that 
Ecolab, Inc., has filed a petition proposing that the food additive 
regulations be amended to provide for the safe use of sodium 
dodecylbenzenesulfonate as an antimicrobial agent in produce wash water 
without the requirement of a potable water rinse.

DATES: Submit either electronic or written comments on the petitioner's 
environmental assessment by March 5, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Submit electronic comments to http://www.regulations.gov. 
Submit written comments to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-
305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, 
Rockville, MD 20852.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Celeste Johnston, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-265), Food and Drug Administration, 
5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740-3835, (240) 402-1282.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 
Act (section 409(b)(5) (21 U.S.C. 348(b)(5))), notice is given that a 
food additive petition (FAP 2A4785) has been filed by Ecolab, Inc., 370 
North Wabasha St., St. Paul, MN 55102-1390. The petition proposes to 
amend the food additive regulations in 21 CFR part 173, Secondary 
Direct Food Additives Permitted in Food for Human Consumption, to 
provide for the safe use of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate as an 
antimicrobial agent in produce wash water without the requirement of a 
potable water rinse.
    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 
Division of Dockets Management (see DATES and ADDRESSES) for public 
review and comment.
    Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management 
(see ADDRESSES) either electronic or written comments regarding this 
document. It is only necessary to send one set of comments. Identify 
comments with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of 
this document. Received comments may be seen in the Division of Dockets 
Management 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 25.51(b).

    Dated: January 19, 2012.
Dennis M. Keefe,
Director, Office of Food Additive Safety, Center for Food Safety and 
Applied Nutrition.
[FR Doc. 2012-2279 Filed 2-1-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-P


