Proposed Rules. Proposed rule; reopening of the comment period

Agency: Food and Drug Administration, HHS
Action: Proposed rule; reopening of the comment period
Citation: FR Doc. 2016-03716 · Docket No. FDA-2014-N-1021 · 21 CFR 101

Summary

In the Federal Register of November 18, 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a proposed rule entitled “Food Labeling; Gluten-Free Labeling of Fermented or Hydrolyzed Foods.” The proposed rule would establish requirements concerning “gluten-free” labeling for foods that are fermented or hydrolyzed or that contain fermented or hydrolyzed ingredients. We are taking this action to reopen the comment period in response to requests to allow interested persons additional time to submit comments.

Dates

FDA is reopening the comment period on the proposed rule published November 18, 2015 (80 FR 71990). Submit either electronic or written comments by April 25, 2016.

Supplementary Information

The proposed rule would establish requirements concerning “gluten-free” labeling for foods that are fermented or hydrolyzed or that contain fermented or hydrolyzed ingredients. These additional requirements for the “gluten-free” labeling rule are needed to help ensure that individuals with celiac disease are not misled and receive truthful and accurate information with respect to fermented or hydrolyzed foods labeled as “gluten-free.” We provided a 90-day comment period for the proposed rule. We received multiple requests for a 60-day extension of the comment period and one request for a 90-day extension of the comment period for the proposed rule. Each request conveyed concern that the original 90-day comment period does not allow sufficient time to develop a meaningful or thoughtful response to the proposed rule. We have considered the requests and are reopening the comment period for the proposed rule until April 25, 2016. We believe that an additional 60-day period allows adequate time for interested persons to submit comments without significantly delaying rulemaking on these important issues. The period for comments regarding information collection issues under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 remains unchanged, where comments were to be submitted until February 22, 2016 (see 81 FR 3751, January 22, 2016). Dated: February 18, 2016. Leslie Kux, Associate Commissioner for Policy. [FR Doc. 2016-03716 Filed 2-22-16; 8:45 am]