[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 15526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8115]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 97F-0116]


Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd.; Filing of Food Additive 
Petition

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that 
Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd., has filed a petition proposing 
that the food additive regulations be amended to provide for the safe 
use of 4-methylpentene-1 copolymers resulting from the copolymerization 
of 4-methylpentene-1 and 1-alkenes having from 12 to 18 carbon atoms 
for use in contact with food.

DATES: Written comments on the petitioner's environmental assessment by 
May 1, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Dockets Management Branch 
(HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 12420 Parklawn Dr., rm. 1-23, 
Rockville, MD 20857.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Spring C. Randolph, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-215), Food and Drug Administration, 
200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-418-3191.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 
Act (sec. 409(b)(5) (21 U.S.C. 348(b)(5))), notice is given that a food 
additive petition (FAP 7B4534) has been filed by Mitsui Petrochemical 
Industries, Ltd., c/o Keller and Heckman, 1001 G St. NW., suite 500 
West, Washington, DC 20001. The petition proposes to amend the food 
additive regulations in Sec. 177.1520 Olefin polymers (21 CFR 177.1520) 
to provide for the safe use of 4-methylpentene-1 copolymers 
manufactured by the catalytic copolymerization of 4-methylpentene-1 
with 1-alkenes having from 12 to 18 carbon atoms in contact with food.
    The potential environmental impact of this action is being 
reviewed. To encourage public participation consistent with regulations 
promulgated 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 Dockets Management Branch (address above) for 
public review and comment. Interested persons may, on or before May 1, 
1997, submit to the Dockets Management Branch (address above) written 
comments. Two copies of any comments are to be submitted, except that 
individuals may submit one copy. Comments are to be identified with the 
docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document. 
Received comments may be seen in the office above 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 
25.40(c).

    Dated: March 6, 1997.
Alan M. Rulis,
Director, Office of Premarket Approval, Center for Food Safety and 
Applied Nutrition.
[FR Doc. 97-8115 Filed 3-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F