[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 88 (Thursday, May 7, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 25213]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12168]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 98F-0288]


Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.; 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 Chemicals, Inc., has filed a petition proposing that the food 
additive regulations be amended to expand the safe use of propylene/
butene-1 copolymers containing greater than 15 but not more than 35 
weight percent of polymer units derived from butene-1 for use in 
contact with food.

DATES: Written comments on the petitioner's environmental assessment by 
June 8, 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: Julius Smith, Center for Food Safety 
and Applied Nutrition (HFS-215), Food and Drug Administration, 200 C 
St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-418-3091.

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 8B4590) has been filed by Mitsui Chemicals, 
Inc., c/o Keller & 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 expand the safe 
use of propylene/butene-1 copolymers containing greater than 15 but not 
more than 35 weight percent of polymer units derived from butene-1 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 8, 
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 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. 98-12168 Filed 5-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F