Proposed Rules. Notice

1,196 words·~5 min read·/register/2002/03/06/02-5245

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BILLING CODE 4163-18-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration [Docket No. 02N-0055] Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Infant Formula Recall Regulations 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 collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on requirements related to the recall of infant formula. DATES: Submit written or electronic comments on the collection of information by May 6, 2002. ADDRESSES: Submit electronic comments on the collection of information to *http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/oc/dockets/edockethome.cfm.* 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. Infant Formula Recall Regulations—21 CFR 107.230, 107.240, 107.250, 107.260, and 107.280 (OMB Control No. 0910-0188)—Extension Section 412(e) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) (21 U.S.C. 350a(e)) provides that if the manufacturer of an infant formula has knowledge that reasonably supports the conclusion that an infant formula processed by that manufacturer has left its control and may not provide the nutrients required in section 412(i) of the act or is otherwise adulterated or misbranded, the manufacturer must promptly notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary). If the Secretary determines that the infant formula presents a risk to human health, the manufacturer must immediately take all actions necessary to recall shipments of such infant formula from all wholesale and retail establishments, consistent with recall regulations and guidelines issued by the Secretary. Section 412(f)(2) of the act states that the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe the scope and extent of recalls of infant formula necessary and appropriate for the degree of risk to human health presented by the formula subject to recall. FDA's infant formula recall regulations (part 107, subpart E (21 CFR part 107, subpart E)) implement these statutory provisions. Section 107.230 requires each recalling firm to:

(1)Evaluate the hazard to human health,

(2)devise a written recall strategy,

(3)promptly notify each affected direct account (customer) about the recall, and

(4)furnish the appropriate FDA district office with copies of these documents. If the recalled formula presents a risk to human health, the recalling firm must also request that each establishment that sells the recalled formula post (at point of purchase) a notice of the recall and provide FDA with an FDA approved notice of recall. Section 107.240 requires the recalling firm to:

(1)Notify the appropriate FDA district office of the recall by telephone within 24 hours,

(2)submit a written report to that office within 14 days, and

(3)submit a written status report at least every 14 days until the recall is terminated. Before terminating a recall, the recalling firm is required to submit a recommendation for termination of the recall to the appropriate FDA district office and wait for written FDA concurrence (§ 107.250). Where the recall strategy or implementation is determined to be deficient, FDA may require the firm to change the extent of the recall, carry out additional effectiveness checks, and issue additional notifications (§ 107.260). In addition, to facilitate location of the product being recalled, the recalling firm is required to maintain distribution records for at least 1 year after the expiration of the shelflife of the infant formula (§ 107.280). The reporting and recordkeeping requirements described previously are designed to enable FDA to monitor the effectiveness of infant formula recalls in order to protect babies from infant formula that may be unsafe because of contamination or nutritional inadequacy or otherwise adulterated or misbranded. FDA uses the information collected under these regulations to help ensure that such products are quickly and efficiently removed from the market. If manufacturers were not required to provide this information to FDA, FDA's ability to ensure that recalls are conducted properly would be greatly impaired. FDA estimates the burden of this collection of information as follows: Table 1.—Estimated Annual Reporting Burden 1 21 CFR section No. of respondents Annual frequency per response Total annual responses Hours per response Total hours 107.230 3 1 3 4,500 13,500 107.240 3 1 3 1,482 4,446 107.250 3 1 3 120 360 107.260 3 1 3 650 650 Total 18,956 1 There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of information. Under 5 CFR 1320.3(b)(2), the time, effort, and financial resources necessary to comply with a collection of information are excluded from the burden estimate if the reporting, recordkeeping, or disclosure activities needed to comply are usual and customary because they would occur in the normal course of activities. No burden has been estimated for the recordkeeping requirement in § 107.280 because these records are maintained as a usual and customary part of normal business activities. Manufacturers keep infant formula distribution records for the prescribed period as a matter of routine business practice. The reporting burden estimate is based on agency records, which show that there are five manufacturers of infant formula and that there have been three recalls in the last 3 years, or one recall annually. Dated: February 26, 2002. Margaret M. Dotzel, Associate Commissioner for Policy. [FR Doc. 02-5245 Filed 3-5-02; 8:45 am]

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