Proposed Rules. Notification; reopening of comment period

Agency: Food and Drug Administration, HHS
Action: Notification; reopening of comment period
Citation: FR Doc. 2017-03929 · Docket No. FDA-2016-D-4120 · 21 CFR 73

Summary

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is reopening the comment period for the notice entitled “Fruit Juice and Vegetable Juice as Color Additives in Food; Draft Guidance for Industry” that appeared in the Federal Register of December 14, 2016. The draft guidance, when finalized, will help manufacturers determine whether a color additive derived from a plant material meets the specifications under certain FDA color additive regulations. We are taking this action in response to requests to allow interested persons additional time to submit comments.

Dates

FDA is reopening the comment period for the proposed rule published December 14, 2016 (81 FR 90267). Submit either electronic or written comments by May 1, 2017.

Supplementary Information

In the Federal Register of December 14, 2016 (81 FR 90267), we published a notice of availability of a draft guidance for industry entitled “Fruit Juice and Vegetable Juice as Color Additives in Food.” The draft guidance, when finalized, will help manufacturers determine whether a color additive derived from a plant material meets the specifications for fruit juice under § 73.250 (21 CFR 73.250) or vegetable juice under § 73.260 (21 CFR 73.260). Although you can comment on any guidance at any time, to ensure that we consider comments on this draft guidance before we begin work on the final version, interested persons were originally given until February 13, 2017, to comment on the draft guidance. We have received requests to extend the comment period for the draft guidance. The requests conveyed concern that the original 60-day comment period would not allow sufficient time to develop a meaningful or thoughtful response to various issues presented in the draft guidance and to our interpretation of our regulations. We have considered the requests but were unable to issue a document extending the comment period for the draft guidance before February 13, 2017. Consequently, we are reopening the comment period for an additional 60 days. Interested parties have until May 1, 2017. We believe that this action allows adequate time for interested persons to submit comments on the draft guidance without significantly delaying finalizing the guidance. Dated: February 23, 2017. Leslie Kux, Associate Commissioner for Policy. [FR Doc. 2017-03929 Filed 2-28-17; 8:45 am]