Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling, 16260-16261 [E8-6243]

Download as PDF 16260 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 60 / Thursday, March 27, 2008 / Notices For Further Information about the Public Meeting Contact: Doreen ChenMoulec, U.S. Codex Office, Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Room 4861, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. Phone: (202) 205–7760, Fax: (202) 720–3157. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food Safety and Inspection Service [Docket No. FSIS–2008–0009] Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, USDA. ACTION: Notice of public meeting and request for comments. pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are sponsoring a public meeting on March 31, 2008. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States positions that will be discussed at the 36th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Ottawa, Canada, on April 28 to May 2, 2008. In addition, a working group on the Implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity, and Health will meet on April 26, 2008. The Under Secretary for Food Safety and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 36th Session of the CCFL and to address items on the agenda. DATES: The public meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 31, 2008, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held in Room 107A, Jamie Whitten Federal Building, 1200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. Codex documents related to the 36th Session of the CCFL will be accessible via the World Wide Web at the following address: https:// www.codexalimentarius.net/ current.asp. The U.S. Delegate to the CCFL, Dr. Barbara Schneeman, invites interested U.S. parties to submit their comments electronically to the following e-mail address: ccfl@fda.hhs.gov. For Further Information about the 36th Session of the CCFL Contact: Dr. Michael Wehr, FDA, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740. Phone: (301) 436–1724, Fax: (301) 436–2618, e-mail: michael.wehr@fda.hhs.gov. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:08 Mar 26, 2008 Jkt 214001 Background The Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) was established in 1963 by two United Nations organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the WHO. Through adoption of food standards, codes of practice, and other guidelines developed by its committees, and by promoting their adoption and implementation by governments, Codex seeks to protect the health of consumers and ensure that fair practices are used in trade. The CCFL drafts provisions on labeling applicable to all foods; considers, amends if necessary, and endorses specific provisions on labeling of draft standards, codes of practice, and guidelines prepared by other Codex committees; studies specific labeling problems assigned to it by the Codex Alimentarius Commission; and studies problems associated with the advertisement of food with particular reference to claims and misleading descriptions. The CCFL is chaired by Canada. Issues To Be Discussed at the Public Meeting The following items on the agenda for the 36th Session of the CCFL will be discussed during the public meeting: • Matters Referred to the CCFL from other Codex Bodies. • Matters Referred by FAO and WHO: Implementation of the WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity, and Health. • Consideration of Labeling Provisions in Draft Codex Standards. • Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labeling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods: Draft Revised Annex 2: Table 3, Draft Amendment: Addition of Ethylene, and Proposal for new work: Deletion of Rotenone from Annex 2. • Labeling of Foods and Food Ingredients Obtained through Certain Techniques of Genetic Modification or Genetic Engineering: Definitions and Labeling Provisions. • Draft Amendment to the General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods: Quantitative Declaration of Ingredients. • Draft Definition of Advertising in Relation to Nutrition and Health Claims. PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 • Discussion Paper on Modified Standardized Common Names Each item listed above will be fully described in documents distributed, or to be distributed, by the Secretariat prior to the April 28–May 2, 2008, meeting in Ottawa, Canada. Members of the public may access these documents on the World Wide Web (see ADDRESSES). Public Meeting At the March 31, 2008, public meeting, draft U.S. positions on the agenda items will be described and discussed, and attendees will have the opportunity to pose questions and offer comments. Written comments may be sent electronically to the U.S. Delegate for the CCFL, Dr. Barbara Schneeman (see ADDRESSES). Written comments should state that they relate to activities of the 36th Session of the CCFL. Additional Public Notification Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy development is important. Consequently, in an effort to ensure that minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are aware of this notice, FSIS will announce it online through the FSIS Web page located at: (https://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/ 2008_Notices_Index/. FSIS will also make copies of this Federal Register publication available through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal Register notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information that could affect or would be of interest to constituents and stakeholders. The Update is communicated via Listserv, a free electronic mail subscription service for industry, trade groups, consumer interest groups, health professionals, and other individuals who have asked to be included. The Update is also available on the FSIS Web page. Through the Listserv and Web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a much broader and more diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an email subscription service which provides automatic and customized access to selected food safety news and information. This service is available at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/ news_and_events/email_subscription/. Options range from recalls to export information to regulations, directives and notices. Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves, and they have the option to password protect their accounts. E:\FR\FM\27MRN1.SGM 27MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 60 / Thursday, March 27, 2008 / Notices Done at Washington, DC, on: March 24, 2008. Karen L. Hulebak, Acting U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius. [FR Doc. E8–6243 Filed 3–26–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Sunshine Act Notice United States Commission on Civil Rights. ACTION: Notice of meeting and briefing. DATE AND TIME: Friday, April 4, 9:30 a.m. PLACE: U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 624 Ninth Street, NW., Rm. 540, Washington, DC 20425. AGENCY: Briefing Agenda Topic: The Impact of Illegal Immigration on the Wages & Employment Opportunities of Black Workers. I. Introductory Remarks by Chairman II. Speakers’ Presentations III. Questions by Commissioners and Staff Director IV. Adjourn Briefing FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lenore Ostrowsky, Acting Chief, Public Affairs Unit, (202) 376–8582. Dated: March 25, 2008. David Blackwood, General Counsel. [FR Doc. 08–1081 Filed 3–25–08; 2:34 pm] BILLING CODE 6335–01–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). Agency: U.S. Census Bureau. Title: Current Population Survey, Basic Demographic Items. Form Number(s): CPS–263, CPS– 263(SP), CPS–264, CPS–264(SP), CPS– 266, BC–1428, BC–1428(SP), BC–1433, BC–1433(SP),CPS–692, CPS–504. OMB Control Number: 0607–0049. Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection. Burden Hours: 18,013. Number of Respondents: 59,000. Average Hours Per Response: 1 and a half minutes. Needs and Uses: The purpose of this request for review is for the U.S. Census VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:08 Mar 26, 2008 Jkt 214001 Bureau to obtain clearance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the collection of basic demographic information on the Current Population Survey (CPS). The CPS has been the source of official government statistics on employment and unemployment for over 50 years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Census Bureau jointly sponsor the basic monthly survey, and the Census Bureau prepares and conducts all the field work. The Census Bureau provides the BLS with data files and tables. The BLS seasonally adjusts, analyzes, and publishes the results for the labor force data in conjunction with the demographic characteristics. In accordance with the OMB’s request, the Census Bureau and the BLS divide the clearance request in order to reflect the joint sponsorship and funding of the CPS program. Title 29, United States Code, Sections 1–9, authorizes the collection of labor force data in the CPS. The demographic information provides a unique set of data on selected characteristics for the civilian noninstitutional population. Some of the demographic information Census collect is age, marital status, gender, Armed Forces status, education, race, origin, and family income. These data is used in conjunction with other data, particularly the monthly labor force data, as well as periodic supplement data. We also use these data independently for internal analytic research and for evaluation of other surveys. In addition, we need these data to correctly control estimates of other characteristics to the proper proportions of age, gender, race, and origin. Census use the data from the CPS on household size and composition, age, education, ethnicity, and marital status to compile monthly averages or other aggregates for national and sub-national estimates. The data is used in four principal ways: In association with other data, such as monthly labor force or periodic supplement publications; for internal analytic research; for evaluation of other surveys and survey results; and as a general purpose sample and survey. The demographic data are central to the publication of all labor force data in the BLS’ monthly report Employment and Earnings. The data set that results from combining the monthly labor force data with the demographic data provides analysts with the ability to understand labor force patterns of many subpopulation groups. This is particularly important since the federal government often directs initiatives at special groups that historically have not conformed to general labor force participation patterns. PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16261 Analysts also use the demographic data in association with all supplement publications. (Census describe supplements later in this section.) For example, publications that use these data are Fertility of American Women, School Enrollment—Social and Economic Characteristics of Students and Educational Attainment in the United States (Series P–20). Comparably, researchers are able to characterize the population within the subject area of the many supplements conducted in conjunction with the CPS. For instance, the Annual Social and Economic Supplement identifies which subpopulation groups, as established by the demographic variables, experience the highest incidence of poverty. While Census collect and support independently the demographic variables, the labor force data, and the supplement inquiries, their use as a combined data set enhances the utility of each. The Census Bureau also uses the demographic data extensively for internal analytic work. For example, these data is used to develop estimates of family and household types and metropolitan and nonmetropolitan populations. Census use these estimates to identify population trends between decennial censuses and to analyze the growth and distribution of various racial and ethnic groups. It may then be used in preparing reports on these subjects or in determining the accuracy of population controls used throughout the Census Bureau. As is noted below, we use the demographic data to improve our postcensal population estimates (that is, the components of emigration and undocumented immigration). Also, Census use the CPS as a source for other survey samples. A household remains in the CPS sample for 16 months. Other surveys conducted by the Census Bureau may use a CPS sample when it is no longer part of the CPS. In 2006, the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, sponsored by the Department of the Interior, used retired cases from the CPS samples. The ongoing American Time Use Survey, sponsored by the BLS uses expired CPS sample. By using the CPS demographics to select their samples, other surveys have been able to avoid screening samples and to obtain accurate estimates by demographics. Another use of the demographic data is in evaluating other survey results. For example, analysts control the results of the National American Housing Survey to the CPS monthly averages of households. Similarly, in order to determine the plausibility of the results E:\FR\FM\27MRN1.SGM 27MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 60 (Thursday, March 27, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16260-16261]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-6243]



[[Page 16260]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2008-0009]


Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on 
Food Labeling

AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are sponsoring a public 
meeting on March 31, 2008. The objective of the public meeting is to 
provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and 
draft United States positions that will be discussed at the 36th 
Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL) of the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Ottawa, Canada, 
on April 28 to May 2, 2008. In addition, a working group on the 
Implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategy 
on Diet, Physical Activity, and Health will meet on April 26, 2008. The 
Under Secretary for Food Safety and FDA recognize the importance of 
providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background 
information on the 36th Session of the CCFL and to address items on the 
agenda.

DATES: The public meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 31, 2008, from 
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held in Room 107A, Jamie Whitten 
Federal Building, 1200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. 
Codex documents related to the 36th Session of the CCFL will be 
accessible via the World Wide Web at the following address: https://
www.codexalimentarius.net/current.asp. 
    The U.S. Delegate to the CCFL, Dr. Barbara Schneeman, invites 
interested U.S. parties to submit their comments electronically to the 
following e-mail address: ccfl@fda.hhs.gov. 
    For Further Information about the 36th Session of the CCFL Contact: 
Dr. Michael Wehr, FDA, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 
5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740. Phone: (301) 436-
1724, Fax: (301) 436-2618, e-mail: michael.wehr@fda.hhs.gov. 
    For Further Information about the Public Meeting Contact: Doreen 
Chen-Moulec, U.S. Codex Office, Food Safety and Inspection Service 
(FSIS), Room 4861, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250. Phone: (202) 205-7760, Fax: (202) 720-3157.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) was established in 1963 
by two United Nations organizations, the Food and Agriculture 
Organization (FAO) and the WHO. Through adoption of food standards, 
codes of practice, and other guidelines developed by its committees, 
and by promoting their adoption and implementation by governments, 
Codex seeks to protect the health of consumers and ensure that fair 
practices are used in trade.
    The CCFL drafts provisions on labeling applicable to all foods; 
considers, amends if necessary, and endorses specific provisions on 
labeling of draft standards, codes of practice, and guidelines prepared 
by other Codex committees; studies specific labeling problems assigned 
to it by the Codex Alimentarius Commission; and studies problems 
associated with the advertisement of food with particular reference to 
claims and misleading descriptions. The CCFL is chaired by Canada.

Issues To Be Discussed at the Public Meeting

    The following items on the agenda for the 36th Session of the CCFL 
will be discussed during the public meeting:
     Matters Referred to the CCFL from other Codex Bodies.
     Matters Referred by FAO and WHO: Implementation of the WHO 
Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity, and Health.
     Consideration of Labeling Provisions in Draft Codex 
Standards.
     Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labeling and 
Marketing of Organically Produced Foods: Draft Revised Annex 2: Table 
3, Draft Amendment: Addition of Ethylene, and Proposal for new work: 
Deletion of Rotenone from Annex 2.
     Labeling of Foods and Food Ingredients Obtained through 
Certain Techniques of Genetic Modification or Genetic Engineering: 
Definitions and Labeling Provisions.
     Draft Amendment to the General Standard for the Labeling 
of Prepackaged Foods: Quantitative Declaration of Ingredients.
     Draft Definition of Advertising in Relation to Nutrition 
and Health Claims.
     Discussion Paper on Modified Standardized Common Names
    Each item listed above will be fully described in documents 
distributed, or to be distributed, by the Secretariat prior to the 
April 28-May 2, 2008, meeting in Ottawa, Canada. Members of the public 
may access these documents on the World Wide Web (see ADDRESSES).

Public Meeting

    At the March 31, 2008, public meeting, draft U.S. positions on the 
agenda items will be described and discussed, and attendees will have 
the opportunity to pose questions and offer comments. Written comments 
may be sent electronically to the U.S. Delegate for the CCFL, Dr. 
Barbara Schneeman (see ADDRESSES). Written comments should state that 
they relate to activities of the 36th Session of the CCFL.

Additional Public Notification

    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, in an effort to ensure that 
minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are aware of this 
notice, FSIS will announce it online through the FSIS Web page located 
at: (https://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/2008_Notices_Index/. FSIS 
will also make copies of this Federal Register publication available 
through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide 
information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal 
Register notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information 
that could affect or would be of interest to constituents and 
stakeholders. The Update is communicated via Listserv, a free 
electronic mail subscription service for industry, trade groups, 
consumer interest groups, health professionals, and other individuals 
who have asked to be included. The Update is also available on the FSIS 
Web page. Through the Listserv and Web page, FSIS is able to provide 
information to a much broader and more diverse audience. In addition, 
FSIS offers an e-mail subscription service which provides automatic and 
customized access to selected food safety news and information. This 
service is available at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_and_events/
email_subscription/. Options range from recalls to export information 
to regulations, directives and notices. Customers can add or delete 
subscriptions themselves, and they have the option to password protect 
their accounts.


[[Page 16261]]


    Done at Washington, DC, on: March 24, 2008.
Karen L. Hulebak,
Acting U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius.
[FR Doc. E8-6243 Filed 3-26-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P

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