[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 90 (Monday, May 11, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25864-25865]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12313]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 98F-0289]


UBE 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 UBE 
Industries, Ltd., has filed a petition proposing that the food additive 
regulations be amended to provide for the safe use of Nylon 6/12 
copolymer resins manufactured using at least 80 weight percent epsilon-
caprolactam and no more than 20 weight percent omega-aminododecanoic 
acid as a component of articles intended for use in contact with food.

DATES: Written comments on the petitioner's environmental assessment by 
June 10, 1998.

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: Daniel N. Harrison, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-215), Food and Drug Administration, 
200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-418-3084.

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 8B4569) has been filed by UBE Industries, Ltd., 
c/o Center for Regulatory Services, 2347 Paddock Lane, Reston, VA 
20191. The petition proposes to amend the food additive regulations in 
Sec. 177.1500 Nylon resins (21 CFR 177.1500) to provide for the safe 
use of Nylon 6/12 copolymer resins manufactured using at least 80 
weight percent epsilon-caprolactam and no more than 20 weight percent 
omega-aminododecanoic acid as a component of articles intended for use 
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 June 
10, 1998, 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

[[Page 25865]]

Federal Register in accordance with 21 CFR 25.40(c).

    Dated: April 24, 1998.
Laura M. Tarantino,
Acting Director, Office of Premarket Approval, Center for Food Safety 
and Applied Nutrition.
[FR Doc. 98-12313 Filed 5-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F