Document ID: FDA-2011-N-0400-0038
Agency: fda
Document Type: Notice
Title: Approaches to Reducing Sodium Consumption; Establishment of Dockets: Request for Comments, Data, and Information; Extension of Comment Period
Posted Date: 2011-11-30T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 230 (Wednesday, November 30, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74039-74040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30865]

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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 230 / Wednesday, November 30, 2011 / 
Notices  

[[Page 74039]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2011-N-0400]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2011-0014]

Approaches to Reducing Sodium Consumption; Establishment of 
Dockets; Request for Comments, Data, and Information; Extension of 
Comment Period

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS; Food Safety and Inspection 
Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; extension of comment period for the submission of 
comments, data, and information.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Safety and 
Inspection Service (FSIS) are extending the comment period to January 
27, 2012, for the notice entitled ``Approaches to Reducing Sodium 
Consumption; Establishment of Dockets; Request for Comments, Data, and 
Information,'' that appeared in the Federal Register of September 15, 
2011 (76 FR 57050). In that notice, FDA and FSIS requested comments on 
research, data, and other information that will better inform both 
Agencies about current and emerging practices by the private sector 
regarding sodium reduction in foods; current consumer understanding of 
the role of sodium in hypertension and other chronic illnesses; sodium 
consumption practices; motivation and barriers in reducing sodium in 
consumers' food intakes; and issues associated with the development of 
targets for sodium reduction in foods to promote reduction in excess 
sodium intake. FDA and FSIS are extending the comment period in 
response to a request from an industry association for additional time 
to allow interested persons to submit comments.

DATES: Submit either electronic or written comments and data and 
information by January 27, 2012.

ADDRESSES: FDA: Submit electronic comments and data and information to 
http://www.regulations.gov. Submit written comments and data and 
information to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and 
Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. 
All submissions must include the Agency name and the docket number FDA-
2011-N-0400.
    FSIS: Submit electronic comments and data and information to http://www.regulations.gov. Submit written comments and data and information 
to the Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, FSIS Docket Room, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., 
Patriots Plaza III, Mailstop 3782, rm. 163A, Washington, DC 20250-3700. 
All submissions must include the Agency name and the docket number 
FSIS-2011-0014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

FDA: Richard E. Bonnette, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition 
(HFS-255), Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., 
College Park, MD 20740-3835, (240) 402-1235.
FSIS: Rosalyn Murphy-Jenkins, Director, Labeling and Program Delivery 
Division, Office of Policy and Program Development, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, FSIS, OPPD, 
LPDD Stop Code 3784, Patriots Plaza III, 8-161A, 1400 Independence 
Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-3700.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    In the Federal Register of September 15, 2011 (76 FR 57050), FDA 
and FSIS published a notice entitled ``Approaches to Reducing Sodium 
Consumption; Establishment of Dockets; Request for Comments, Data, and 
Information.'' In this notice, FDA and FSIS requested comments, 
research, data, and other information that will better inform both 
Agencies about current and emerging practices by the private sector 
regarding sodium reduction; current consumer understanding of the role 
of sodium in hypertension and other chronic illnesses; sodium 
consumption practices; motivation and barriers in reducing sodium in 
consumers' food intakes; and issues associated with the development of 
targets for sodium reduction in foods to promote reduction in excess 
sodium intake. The notice provided a 75-day comment period, thereby 
establishing November 29, 2011, as the deadline for the submission of 
comments, data, and information.
    On November 4, 2011, FDA and FSIS received a request from an 
industry association for an extension of the comment period until 
January 27, 2011. The request conveyed the concern that the current 75-
day comment period does not allow sufficient time to collect responsive 
information and data and prepare it for submission to the Agencies.
    FDA and FSIS have considered the request and are extending the 
comment period for the notice entitled ``Approaches to Reducing Sodium 
Consumption; Establishment of Dockets; Request for Comments, Data, and 
Information'' until January 27, 2012. FDA and FSIS believe that the 
extension provides adequate time for interested persons to submit 
comments.

II. Request for Comments

    FDA: Interested persons may submit to FDA's Division of Dockets 
Management (see ADDRESSES) either electronic or written comments 
regarding this document. It is only necessary to send one set of 
comments. It is no longer necessary to send two copies of mailed 
comments. Identify comments with the docket number found in brackets in 
the heading of this document. Received comments may be seen in the 
Division of Dockets Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday 
through Friday.
    FSIS: Interested persons may submit to FSIS's Docket Clerk (see 
ADDRESSES) either electronic or written comments regarding this 
document. Identify comments with the docket number found in brackets in 
the heading of this document. Received comments may be seen in the FSIS 
Docket Room between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
    Because two docket numbers are associated with this document, 
please include with your comments the docket number that corresponds 
with the appropriate Agency. Comments

[[Page 74040]]

submitted for inclusion in both dockets should be submitted separately 
to each identified docket number to ensure consideration by both 
Agencies.

    Dated: November 22, 2011.
Leslie Kux,
Acting Assistant Commissioner for Policy, Food and Drug Administration.
    Dated: November 23, 2011.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-30865 Filed 11-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-P