Red Cabbage Color; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance, 28443-28447 [05-9482]

Agencies

• ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 18, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28443-28447]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9482]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[OPP-2004-0361; FRL-7711-7]


Red Cabbage Color; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement 
of a tolerance for residues of red cabbage color when used as an inert 
ingredient (visual pH indicator) in pesticide formulations applied in 
or on certain various food commodities. Colarome Inc. submitted a 
petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), 
as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996, 
requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This 
regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level 
for residues of red cabbage color.

DATES: This regulation is effective May 18, 2005. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before July 18, 2005.

ADDRESSES: To submit a written objection or hearing request follow the 
detailed instructions as provided in Unit XIV. of the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION. EPA has established a docket for this action under docket 
identification (ID) number OPP-2002-0292. All documents in the docket 
are listed in the EDOCKET index at https://www.epa.gov/ edocket. 
Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly 
available, i.e., CBI or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted 
material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available 
only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are 
available either electronically in EDOCKET or in hard copy at the 
Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, 
Crystal Mall 2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA. This docket 
facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
excluding legal holidays. The docket telephone number is (703) 305-
5805.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rame Cromwell, Registration Division 
(7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone 
number: (703) 308-9068; e-mail address: cromwell.rame@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an 
agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer. 
Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to:
     Crop production (NAICS 111)
     Animal production (NAICS 112)
     Food manufacturing (NAICS 311)
     Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS 32532)
    This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides 
a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this 
action. Other types of entities not listed in this unit could also be 
affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) 
codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining 
whether this action might apply to certain entities. To determine 
whether you or your business may be affected by this action, you should 
carefully examine the applicability provisions in insert appropriate 
cite to either another

[[Page 28444]]

unit in the preamble or a section in a rule. If you have any questions 
regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, 
consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How Can I Get Electronic Documents and Other Related Information?

    In addition to using EDOCKET at (https://www.epa.gov/edocket/), you 
may access this Federal Register document electronically through the 
EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register'' listings at https://
www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. A frequently updated electronic version of 40 
CFR part 180 is available at E-CFR Beta Site Two at https://
www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/.

II. Background and Statutory Findings

    In the Federal Register of November 17, 2004 (69 FR 67348) (FRL-
7685-5), EPA issued a notice pursuant to section 408(d)(3) of the 
FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide 
tolerance petition (4E6851) by Colarome Inc., 5132 Bombardier Street, 
St. Hubert (Quebec), Canada J3Z1H1. The petition requested that 40 CFR 
part 180 be amended by establishing an exemption from the requirement 
of a tolerance for residues of red cabbage color, which is intended to 
be used as an inert ingredient in pesticide products. The petitioner 
specifically requested that tolerance exemptions be established in 40 
CFR 180.910, 180.930, and 180.940(a). That notice included a summary of 
the petition prepared by the petitioner Colarome Inc.. One comment was 
submitted. The Agency's response to this comment is in Unit IX.
    Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of the FFDCA allows EPA to establish an 
exemption from the requirement for a tolerance (the legal limit for a 
pesticide chemical residue in or on a food) only if EPA determines that 
the tolerance is ``safe.'' Section 408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the FFDCA 
defines ``safe'' to mean that ``there is a reasonable certainty that no 
harm will result from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical 
residue, including all anticipated dietary exposures and all other 
exposures for which there is reliable information.'' This includes 
exposure through drinking water and in residential settings, but does 
not include occupational exposure. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of the FFDCA 
requires EPA to give special consideration to exposure of infants and 
children to the pesticide chemical residue in establishing a tolerance 
and to ``ensure that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will 
result to infants and children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide 
chemical residue. . . .''
    EPA performs a number of analyses to determine the risks from 
aggregate exposure to pesticide residues. First, EPA determines the 
toxicity of pesticides. Second, EPA examines exposure to the pesticide 
through food, drinking water, and through other exposures that occur as 
a result of pesticide use in residential settings.

III. Inert Ingredient Definition

    Inert ingredients are all ingredients that are not active 
ingredients as defined in 40 CFR 153.125 and include, but are not 
limited to, the following types of ingredients (except when they have a 
pesticidal efficacy of their own): Solvents such as alcohols and 
hydrocarbons; surfactants such as polyoxyethylene polymers and fatty 
acids; carriers such as clay and diatomaceous earth; thickeners such as 
carrageenan and modified cellulose; wetting, spreading, and dispersing 
agents; propellants in aerosol dispensers; microencapsulating agents; 
and emulsifiers. The term ``inert'' is not intended to imply 
nontoxicity; the ingredient may or may not be chemically active. 
Generally, EPA has exempted inert ingredients from the requirement of a 
tolerance based on the low toxicity of the individual inert 
ingredients.

IV. Toxicological Profile

    Consistent with section 408(b)(2)(D) of FFDCA, EPA has reviewed the 
available scientific data and other relevant information in support of 
this action and considered its validity, completeness and reliability 
and the relationship of this information to human risk. EPA has also 
considered available information concerning the variability of the 
sensitivities of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including 
infants and children.
    Red cabbage color is cabbage juice extracted from edible cabbage 
heads by finely chopping and pressing, alone, without the use of 
solvents other than acidified water. The red cabbage juice thus 
obtained is further processed using physical means such as 
clarification by centrifugation, filtration and concentration by vacuum 
evaporation. Red cabbage color is a natural pigment, belonging to a 
class of naturally-occurring pigments called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins 
are ubiquitous in the plant kingdom, being responsible for most of the 
red, blue and purple colors of fruits, flowers and vegetables. Given 
its derivation from edible cabbage heads, without the use of a highly 
refined solvent extractive procedure, toxicity is expected to be low.

V. Aggregate Exposures

    In examining aggregate exposure, FFDCA section 408 directs EPA to 
consider available information concerning exposures from the pesticide 
residue in food and all other non-occupational exposures, including 
drinking water from ground water or surface water and exposure through 
pesticide use in gardens, lawns, or buildings (residential and other 
indoor uses).

A. Dietary Exposure

    1. Food. Red cabbage color for use as a visual pH indicator, is 
obtained from fresh cabbage heads. It is not considered to be a food 
since the extraction was performed with acidified water. The 
petitioner's recommended usage of the red cabbage color as a visual pH 
indicator is less than 1%. Given its use as a colorant, the amount of 
red cabbage color that would be incorporated into a pesticide product 
is limited by the need for a certain shade of color. In fact, 
information available to the Agency indicate most dyes are used at very 
low levels in pesticide products. The petitioner claims red cabbage 
color is used as a color additive in reconstituted juices, beverages, 
spirits, confectionary, fruit preparations and jams.
    2. Drinking water exposure. Red cabbage color is a natural pigment 
in the family of naturally occurring acid-base indicator dyes. The 
compounds are soluble in water, non-volatile, have a low water 
partitioning coefficient and can be mobile in soils and sediments. The 
ultimate environmental sink for these compounds is anticipated to be 
soils and sediments. Microbial degradation is likely to occur, although 
the rate and extent of primary and/or complete degradation is unknown. 
Given the naturally-occurring nature of the red cabbage color, and the 
existence of anthocyanin from sources such as red maple and other 
leaves, it is unlikely that residues of red cabbage color would 
significantly increase in drinking water.

B. Non-Occupational Exposure

    The Agency is not aware of any uses of red cabbage color in and 
around the home. If red cabbage color were to be incorporated into such 
products, the percentage would be low.

VI. Cumulative Effects

    Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA requires that, when considering 
whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance exemption, the 
Agency consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative 
effects of a particular chemical's residues and other

[[Page 28445]]

substances that have a common mechanism of toxicity.''
    Unlike other pesticides chemicals for which EPA has followed a 
cumulative risk approach based on a common mechanism of toxicity, EPA 
has not made a common mechanism of toxicity finding as to red cabbage 
color and any other substances. Red cabbage color does not appear to 
produce a toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the 
purpose of this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has not assumed that 
red cabbage color has common mechanism of toxicity with other 
substances. For information regarding EPA's efforts to determine which 
chemicals have a common mechanism of toxicity and to evaluate the 
cumulative effects of such chemicals, see the policy statements 
released by EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs concerning common 
mechanism determination and procedures for cumulating effects from 
substances found to have a common mechanism on EPA's website at https://
www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative/

VII. Safety Factor for Infants and Children

    FFDCA section 408 provides that EPA shall apply an additional 
tenfold margin of safety for infants and children in the case of 
threshold effects to account for prenatal and postnatal toxicity and 
the completeness of the data base unless EPA concludes that a different 
margin of safety will be safe for infants and children. The Agency 
believes red cabbage color to be of low toxicity. Additionally, dyes 
are generally used in low percentages in pesticide products. EPA has 
not used a safety factor analysis to assess the risk. For the same 
reasons the additional tenfold safety factor is unnecessary.

VIII. Determination of Safety for U.S. Population, Infants and Children

    EPA establishes exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance only 
in those cases where it can be clearly demonstrated that the risk from 
aggregate exposure to pesticide chemical residues under reasonably 
foreseeable circumstances will pose no appreciable risks to human 
health. In order to determine the risks from aggregate exposure to 
pesticide inert ingredients, the Agency considers the toxicity of the 
inert in conjunction with possible exposure to residues of the inert 
ingredient through food, drinking water, and through other exposures 
that occur as a result of pesticide use in residential settings. If EPA 
is able to determine that finite tolerance is not necessary to ensure 
that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from 
aggregate exposure to the inert ingredient, an exemption from the 
requirement of a tolerance may be established.
    Red cabbage color is derived naturally from plants. The Agency 
believes it to be of low toxicity. Therefore, EPA concludes that use of 
red cabbage color in pesticide products as a visual pH indicator or 
colorant will be safe for the general population including infants and 
children.

IX. Other Considerations

A. Endocrine Disruptors

    FQPA requires EPA to develop a screening program to determine 
whether certain substances, including all pesticide chemicals (both 
inert and active ingredients), ``may have an effect in humans that is 
similar to an effect produced by a naturally occurring estrogen, or 
such other endocrine effect.'' EPA has been working with interested 
stakeholders to develop a screening and testing program as well as a 
priority setting scheme. As the Agency proceeds with implementation of 
this program, further testing of products containing red cabbage color 
for endocrine effects may be required.

B. Analytical Method(s)

    An analytical method is not required for enforcement purposes since 
the Agency is establishing an exemption from the requirement of a 
tolerance without any numerical limitation.

C. Existing Tolerances

    There are no existing tolerances or tolerance exemptions for red 
cabbage color.

D. International Tolerances

    The Agency is not aware of any country requiring a tolerance for 
red cabbage color nor have any CODEX Maximum residue Levels been 
established for any food crops at this time.

E. Response to Comment

    One comment was received from a private citizen indicating that 
there was ``no reason to have this coloring allowed in pesticides.'' 
The Agency understands the commentor's concerns and recognizes that 
some individuals believe that pesticides should be banned completely. 
However, under the existing legal framework provided by section 408 of 
the ``FFDCA'' EPA is authorized to establish pesticide tolerances or 
exemptions where persons seeking such exemptions have demonstrated that 
the pesticide meets the safety standard imposed by the statue. The 
commentor has not provided the Agency with specific rationale or 
additional information pertaining to the legal standards in FFDCA 
Section 408 for opposing the establishment of a tolerance exemption for 
red cabbage color. In the absence of any additional information of a 
factual nature, the Agency can not effectively respond to the 
commmentor's disagreement with the Agency's decision.

F. List 4A Classification

    The Agency established 40 CFR 180.950 (see the rationale in the 
proposed rule published January 15, 2002 (67 FR 1925) (FRL-6807-8)) to 
collect the tolerance exemptions for those substances classified as 
List 4A, i.e., minimal risks substances. As part of evaluating an inert 
ingredient and establishing the tolerance exemption, the Agency 
determines the chemical's list classification. The red cabbage color is 
obtained from fresh edible cabbage heads. The Agency believes this to 
be a substance of low toxicity. Therefore, red cabbage color is to be 
classified as a List 4A inert ingredient, and the tolerance exemption 
is established in 40 CFR 180.950.

X. Conclusions

    Based on the available information on red cabbage color including 
an understanding of the processing process and use in pesticide 
products at low levels, EPA concludes that there is a reasonable 
certainty of no harm from aggregate exposure to residues of red cabbage 
color. Accordingly, EPA finds that exempting red cabbage color from the 
requirement of tolerance will be safe.

XI. Objections and Hearing Requests

    Under section 408(g) of the FFDCA, as amended by the FQPA, any 
person may file an objection to any aspect of this regulation and may 
also request a hearing on those objections. The EPA procedural 
regulations which govern the submission of objections and requests for 
hearings appear in 40 CFR part 178. Although the procedures in those 
regulations require some modification to reflect the amendments made to 
the FFDCA by the FQPA, EPA will continue to use those procedures, with 
appropriate adjustments, until the necessary modifications can be made. 
The new section 408(g) of the FFDCA provides essentially the same 
process for persons to ``object'' to a regulation for an exemption from 
the requirement of a tolerance issued by EPA under new section 408(d) 
of the FFDCA, as was provided in the old FFDCA sections 408 and 409 of 
the FFDCA. However, the

[[Page 28446]]

period for filing objections is now 60 days, rather than 30 days.

A. What Do I Need to Do to File an Objection or Request a Hearing?

    You must file your objection or request a hearing on this 
regulation in accordance with the instructions provided in this unit 
and in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must 
identify docket ID number OPP-2002-0292 in the subject line on the 
first page of your submission. All requests must be in writing, and 
must be mailed or delivered to the Hearing Clerk on or before July 18, 
2005.
    1. Filing the request. Your objection must specify the specific 
provisions in the regulation that you object to, and the grounds for 
the objections (40 CFR 178.25). If a hearing is requested, the 
objections must include a statement of the factual issues(s) on which a 
hearing is requested, the requestor's contentions on such issues, and a 
summary of any evidence relied upon by the objector (40 CFR 178.27). 
Information submitted in connection with an objection or hearing 
request may be claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that 
information as CBI. Information so marked will not be disclosed except 
in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. A copy of the 
information that does not contain CBI must be submitted for inclusion 
in the public record. Information not marked confidential may be 
disclosed publicly by EPA without prior notice.
    Mail your written request to: Office of the Hearing Clerk (1900L), 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001. You may also deliver your request to the 
Office of the Hearing Clerk in Suite 350, 1099 14th St., NW., 
Washington, DC 20005. The Office of the Hearing Clerk is open from 8 
a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The 
telephone number for the Office of the Hearing Clerk is (202) 564-6255.
    2. Copies for the Docket. In addition to filing an objection or 
hearing request with the Hearing Clerk as described in Unit XI.A., you 
should also send a copy of your request to the PIRIB for its inclusion 
in the official record that is described in ADDRESSES. Mail your 
copies, identified by docket ID number OPP-2002-0292, to: Public 
Information and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and 
Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001. In person or by courier, bring a copy to the location of the 
PIRIB described in ADDRESSES. You may also send an electronic copy of 
your request via e-mail to: opp-docket@epa.gov. Please use an ASCII 
file format and avoid the use of special characters and any form of 
encryption. Copies of electronic objections and hearing requests will 
also be accepted on disks in WordPerfect 6.1/8.0 or ASCII file format. 
Do not include any CBI in your electronic copy. You may also submit an 
electronic copy of your request at many Federal Depository Libraries.

B. When Will the Agency Grant a Request for a Hearing?

    A request for a hearing will be granted if the Administrator 
determines that the material submitted shows the following: There is a 
genuine and substantial issue of fact; there is a reasonable 
possibility that available evidence identified by the requestor would, 
if established resolve one or more of such issues in favor of the 
requestor, taking into account uncontested claims or facts to the 
contrary; and resolution of the factual issues(s) in the manner sought 
by the requestor would be adequate to justify the action requested (40 
CFR 178.32).

XII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This final rule establishes an exemption from the tolerance 
requirement under section 408(d) of the FFDCA in response to a petition 
submitted to the Agency. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
exempted these types of actions from review under Executive Order 
12866, entitled Regulatory Planning and Review (58 FR 51735, October 4, 
1993). Because this rule has been exempted from review under Executive 
Order 12866 due to its lack of significance, this rule is not subject 
to Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355, 
May 22, 2001). This final rule does not contain any information 
collections subject to OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
(PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., or impose any enforceable duty or 
contain any unfunded mandate as described under Title II of the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Public Law 104-4). Nor 
does it require any special considerations under Executive Order 12898, 
entitled Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority 
Populations and Low-Income Populations (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994); 
or OMB review or any Agency action under Executive Order 13045, 
entitled Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and 
Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997). This action does not 
involve any technical standards that would require Agency consideration 
of voluntary consensus standards pursuant to section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA), 
Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note). Since 
tolerances and exemptions that are established on the basis of a 
petition under section 408(d) of the FFDCA, such as the exemption in 
thisfinal rule, do not require the issuance of a proposed rule, the 
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.) do not apply. In addition, the Agency has determined that this 
action will not have a substantial direct effect on States, on the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government, as specified in Executive Order 13132, entitled Federalism 
(64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). Executive Order 13132 requires EPA to 
develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input 
by State and local officials in the development of regulatory policies 
that have federalism implications.'' ``Policies that have federalism 
implications'' is defined in the Executive Order to include regulations 
that have ``substantial direct effects on the States, on the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government.'' This final rule directly regulates growers, food 
processors, food handlers and food retailers, not States. This action 
does not alter the relationships or distribution of power and 
responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions 
of section 408(n)(4) of the FFDCA. For these same reasons, the Agency 
has determined that this rule does not have any ``tribal implications'' 
as described in Executive Order 13175, entitled Consultation and 
Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (65 FR 67249, November 6, 
2000). Executive Order 13175, requires EPA to develop an accountable 
process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input by tribal officials in 
the development of regulatory policies that have tribal implications.'' 
``Policies that have tribal implications'' is defined in the Executive 
Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct effects on 
one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal 
Government and the Indian tribes, or on

[[Page 28447]]

the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal 
Government and Indian tribes.'' This rule will not have substantial 
direct effects on tribal governments, on the relationship between the 
Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, 
as specified in Executive Order 13175. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does 
not apply to this rule.

XIII. Congressional Review Act

    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other 
required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of this final rule in the Federal Register. This final 
rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and record 
keeping requirements.

    Dated: April 29, 2005.
Lois Rossi,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

0
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:

PART 180--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.

0
2. In Sec.  180.950, the table in paragraph (e) is amended by adding 
alphabetically the following entry to read as follows:


Sec.  180.950  Tolerance exemptions for minimal risk active and inert 
ingredients.

* * * * *
    (e)* * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Chemical Name                           CAS No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                * * * * *
Red cabbage color, expressed from edible    None
 red cabbage heads via a pressing process
 using only acidified water.
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

 [FR Doc. 05-9482 Filed 5-17-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S