
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 222 (Monday, November 18, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 69095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27537]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2013-N-1119]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Food Canning Establishment Registration, Process 
Filing, and Recordkeeping for Acidified Foods and Thermally Processed 
Low-Acid Foods in Hermetically Sealed Containers; Extension of Comment 
Period

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice; extension of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is extending the 
comment period for the information collection entitled ``Food Canning 
Establishment Registration, Process Filing, and Recordkeeping for 
Acidified Foods and Thermally Processed Low-Acid Foods in Hermetically 
Sealed Containers'' that appeared in the Federal Register of September 
18, 2013 (78 FR 57391). In the notice requesting comment on the 
proposed information collection, we requested comments on the 
information collection provisions that are subject to review by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (PRA). We are taking this action in response to a request for 
an extension to allow interested persons additional time to submit 
comments on the proposed information collection.

DATES: FDA is extending the comment period on the proposed information 
collection. Submit either electronic or written comments by February 
18, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Submit electronic comments on the collection of information 
to http://www.regulations.gov. Submit written comments on the 
collection of information to the Division of Dockets Management (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: FDA PRA Staff, Office of Operations, 
Food and Drug Administration, 1350 Piccard Dr., PI50-400B, Rockville, 
MD 20850, PRAStaff@fda.hhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    In the Federal Register of September 18, 2013 (78 FR 57391), FDA 
published a notice with a 60-day comment period to request comment on a 
proposed collection of information related to ``Food Canning 
Establishment Registration, Process Filing, and Recordkeeping for 
Acidified Foods and Thermally Processed Low-Acid Foods in Hermetically 
Sealed Containers.'' 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.
    We have received a request to extend the comment period for the 
proposed collection of information. The request noted that we intend to 
issue a draft guidance document further explaining the forms that are 
the subject of the collection of information and requested that the 
comment period for the proposed collection of information be extended 
to match the comment period that will be announced in a future notice 
requesting comments on such a draft guidance document. The requestor 
expected that a likely comment period for the draft guidance would be 
60 days.
    We have considered the request and are extending the comment period 
for the information collection for 90 days, until February 18, 2014. We 
believe that a 90-day extension allows adequate time for interested 
persons to submit comments without significantly delaying our 
submission of the proposed collection of information to OMB for review 
under the PRA. We are not granting the specific request to extend the 
comment period to match the date when we publish a notice of 
availability for a related draft guidance because we cannot say with 
certainty when that notice will publish. However, we expect to issue 
that notice in a timely manner such that we would announce a comment 
period until approximately February 18, 2014. In addition, we note that 
comments are welcome on guidance documents at any time (21 CFR 
10.115(g)(5)).

II. Request for Comments

    Interested persons may submit either electronic comments regarding 
this document to http://www.regulations.gov or written comments to the 
Division of Dockets Management (see ADDRESSES). 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, and will be posted to the docket at http://www.regulations.gov.

    Dated: November 13, 2013.
Leslie Kux,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2013-27537 Filed 11-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-P


