[Federal Register: August 1, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 148)]
[Notices]
[Page 45242]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01au03-68]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[30 Day-56-03]
Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and
Recommendations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes a
list of information collection requests under review by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). To request a copy of these requests, call
the CDC Reports Clearance Officer at (404) 498-1210. Send written
comments to CDC, Desk Officer, Human Resources and Housing Branch, New
Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax
to (202) 395-6974. Written comments should be received within 30 days
of this notice.
Proposed Project: Risk Factors for Microbial Contamination of
Produce: A Field Study of Domestic and Imported Produce in Packing
Sheds (OMB No. 0920-0487)--Reinstatement--National Center for
Environmental Health (NCEH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC).
Background
Foodborne diseases are common; an estimated 6-33 million cases
occur each year in the United States. Although most of these infections
cause mild illness, severe infections and serious complications do
occur. The public health challenges of foodborne diseases are changing
rapidly. In recent years, new and emerging foodborne pathogens have
been described and changes in food production have led to new food
safety concerns. Foodborne diseases have been associated with many
different foods, including recent outbreaks linked to contaminated
fresh fruits (e.g., cantaloupe, strawberries) and vegetables (e.g.,
leaf lettuce, alfalfa sprouts).
NCEH proposes to conduct a study to determine what specific produce
processing practices are associated with fecal contamination of fruits
and vegetables. Handling and processing methods used in the produce
industry may increase the risk that these foods will become
contaminated with fecal matter. The study will describe the chain of
processing-shipping practices for five vulnerable produce groups (leafy
greens, leafy herbs, green onions, cabbage, melon/cantaloupe). Critical
practices where contamination with foodborne pathogens is likely will
be identified by measuring the microbial quality of produce at each
step during processing. Sources of fecal contamination will be
determined by measuring the microbial quality of process water,
measuring fecal indicator organisms on hand rinses from packing shed
laborers, and conducting sanitary surveys of sources of human and
animal feces in and around the processing areas.
CDC, National Center for Environmental Health is requesting a
three-year clearance. The total burden hours is estimated to be 172.5.
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Number of Avg. burden/
Respondents Number of responses/ response (in
respondents respondent hours)
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Packing Facility Recruiting visit............................... 25 1 30/60
Packing Shed Manager Interview (in person)...................... 20 6 30/60
Hand Rinse Sample Collection.................................... 100 6 10/60
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Dated: July 24, 2003.
Laura Y. Martin,
Acting Associate Director for Policy, Planning and Evaluation, Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-19576 Filed 7-31-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P