Danisco USA, Inc.; Filing of Food Additive Petition

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that Danisco USA, Inc., has filed a petition proposing that the food additive regulations be amended to provide for the safe use of polydextrose as a bulking agent, formulation aid, humectant and texturizer in all foods, except meat and poultry.

DATES:

Submit written or electronic comments on the petitioner's environmental assessment by March 17, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Submit electronic comments to http://www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments .

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Paul C. DeLeo, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-265), Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740-3835, 301-436-1302.

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 6A4763) has been filed by Danisco USA, Inc., 440 Saw Mill River Rd., Ardsley, NY 10502-2605. The petition proposes to amend the food additive regulations in § 172.841 Polydextrose (21 CFR 172.841) to provide for the safe use of polydextrose as a bulking agent, formulation aid, humectant, and texturizer in all foods, except meat and poultry. The proposed amendment would consolidate all existing food use categories and permit additional uses not allowed by the existing regulation.

The potential environmental impact of this action is being reviewed. To encourage public participation consistent with regulations issued 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 Division of Dockets Management (see ADDRESSES) for public review and comment. Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management written or electronic comments by March 17, 2006. Two copies of any written 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 Division of Dockets Management 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 25.51(b).