Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. 97N-0097]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;

Comment Request

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing an

opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain

information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,

Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register

concerning each proposed collection of information, and to allow 60

days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits

comments on a voluntary consumer survey about food safety.

DATES: Submit written comments on the collection of information by May

27, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to

the Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration,

12420 Parklawn Dr., rm. 1-23, Rockville, MD 20857. All comments should

be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the heading

of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret R. Wolff, Office of

Information Resources Management (HFA-250), Food and Drug

Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, rm. 16B-19, Rockville, MD 20857,

301-827-1223.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

(the PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval

from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of

information they conduct or sponsor. ``Collection of information'' is

defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency

requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports,

keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section

3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires Federal

agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning

each proposed collection of information before submitting the

collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, FDA is

publishing notice of the proposed collection of information listed

below.

With respect to the following collection of information, FDA

invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information

is necessary for the proper performance of FDA's functions, including

whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy

of FDA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of

information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions

used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the

information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the

collection of information on respondents, including through the use of

automated collection techniques, when appropriate, and other forms of

information technology.

Food Safety Survey--New Collection

Under section 903(b)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

(21 U.S.C. 393(b)(2)), FDA is authorized to conduct research relating

to foods and to conduct educational and public information programs

relating to the safety of the nation's food supply. FDA is planning to

conduct a consumer survey about food safety under this authority. The

food safety survey will provide information about consumers' food

safety awareness, knowledge, concerns, and practices. A nationally

representative sample of 2,000 adults in households with telephones and

cooking facilities will be selected at random and interviewed by

telephone. Participation will be voluntary. Detailed information will

be obtained about risk perception, perceived sources of food

contamination, knowledge of particular microorganisms, safe care label

use, food handling practices, consumption of raw foods from animals,

information sources, and perceived foodborne illness experience. Most

of the questions asked are identical to ones asked in a 1992-1993

survey so that changes over this time period can be assessed.

FDA estimates the burden of this collection of information as

follows:

Estimated Annual Reporting Burden

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Annual

No. of Respondents Frequency per Total Annual Hours per Total Hours

Response Responses Response

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2,000 1 2,000 .5 1,000

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There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection.

[[Page 14433]]

This will be a one-time survey. The burden estimate is based on

FDA's experience with the 1992-1993 survey mentioned in the previous

paragraph.

Dated: March 20, 1997.

William K. Hubbard,

Associate Commissioner for Policy Coordination.

[FR Doc. 97-7604 Filed 3-25-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4160-01-F