[Docket No. 93FÄ0112]

Milliken Chemical; Filing of Food Additive Petition; Amendment

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the filing notice
for a food additive petition filed by Milliken Chemical to indicate that the
petitioned additive, dimethyldibenzylidene sorbitol, is also intended for use
in high-propylene olefin copolymers for use in contact with food. The previous
filing notice stated that the additive was intended for use only in
polypropylene articles intended for use in contact with food.

DATES: Written comments by February 3, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Dockets Management Branch (HFAÄ305),
Food and Drug Administration, rm. 1Ä23, 12420 Parklawn Dr., Rockville, MD
20857.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vir D. Anand, Center for Food Safety and
Applied Nutrition (HFSÄ216), Food and Drug Administration, 200 C St. SW.,
Washington, DC 20204, 202Ä254Ä9500.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a notice published in the Federal Register of
April 22, 1993 (58 FR 21583), FDA announced that a petition (FAP 2B4341) had
been filed on behalf of Milliken Chemical, c/o 1001 G St. NW., suite 500 West,
Washington, DC 20001, proposing that the food additive regulations in 
178.3295 Clarifying agents for polymers (21 CFR 178.3295) be amended to
provide for the safe use of dimethyldibenzylidene sorbitol as a clarifying
agent for polypropylene articles intended for use in contact with food.

Upon further review of the petition, the agency notes that the petitioner had
requested use of the additive as a clarifying agent in high-propylene olefin
copolymers in addition to its use in polypropylene films. Therefore, FDA is
amending the filing notice of April 22, 1993, to state that the petitioner
requested that the food additive regulations be amended to provide for the
safe use of dimethyldibenzylidene sorbitol as a clarifying agent in
polypropylene and high-propylene olefin copolymers 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 the notice on public display at the Dockets Management Branch
(address above) for public review and comment. 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. Interested
persons may, on or before February 3, 1994, submit to the Dockets Management
Branch (address above) written comments regarding this notice. 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. 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 evidence supporting that finding will be
published with the final regulation in the Federal Register in accordance with
21 CFR 25.40(c).

Dated: December 21, 1993.

Fred R. Shank,

Director, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

[FR Doc. 94Ä40 Filed 1Ä3Ä94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4160Ä01ÄF