Start Preamble

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that Ajinomoto Co., Inc., has filed a petition proposing that the food additive regulations be amended to provide for the safe use of N-[N-[3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) propyl-α-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester, monohydrate (CAS Reg. No. 714229-20-6) for use as a non-nutritive sweetener in tabletop applications and powdered beverage mixes. Ajinomoto Co., Inc., also proposes that this additive be identified as advantame.

DATES:

Submit written or electronic comments on the petitioner's Start Printed Page 35872environmental assessment by August 20, 2009.

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.regulations.gov.

Start Further Info

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Blondell Anderson, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-265), Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740-3835, 301-436-1304.

End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

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 9A4778) has been filed by Ajinomoto Co., Inc., c/o Ajinomoto Corporate Services LLC, 1120 Connecticut Ave. NW., suite 1010, Washington, DC 20036. The petition proposes to amend the food additive regulations in part 172 Food Additives Permitted For Direct Addition to Food for Human Consumption (21 CFR part 172) to provide for the safe use of N-[N-[3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) propyl-α-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester, monohydrate (CAS Reg. No. 714229-20-6) for use as a non-nutritive sweetener in tabletop applications and powdered beverage mixes.

The potential environmental impact of this petition 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 DATES and ADDRESSES) for public review and comment.

Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management (see ADDRESSES) written or electronic comments regarding this document. Submit a single copy of electronic comments or two paper copies of any mailed comments, except that individuals may submit one paper 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).

Start SignatureEnd Signature End Supplemental Information