[Federal Register: September 17, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 181)]
[Notices]
[Page 53878-53879]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17se08-91]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. FDA-2008-N-0487]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Food Safety Survey
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
(the PRA), Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the
Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information,
including each proposed reinstatement of an existing 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 or electronic comments on the collection of
information by November 17, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Submit electronic comments on the collection of information
to http://www.regulations.gov. Submit written comments on the
collection of information to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-
305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061,
Rockville, MD 20852. All comments should be identified with the docket
number found in brackets in the heading of this document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonna Capezzuto, Office of
Information Management (HFA-710), Food and Drug Administration, 5600
Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-796-3794.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Under 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, including each
proposed reinstatement of an existing 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 set forth in this document.
With respect to the following collection of information, FDA
invites comments on these topics: (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 (OMB Control Number 0910-0345--Reinstatement)
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. The Food Safety
Survey is a nationally
[[Page 53879]]
representative survey of consumers' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs
about food safety. Previous versions of the survey were collected in
1988, 1993, 1998, 2001, and 2006. Data from the previous surveys are
being used to evaluate two Healthy People 2010 objectives: (1) Increase
the proportion of consumers who follow key food safety practices
(Objective 10-5), and (2) reduce severe allergic reactions to food
among adults (Objective 10-4b). Additionally, data are used to measure
trends in consumer food safety habits including hand and cutting board
washing, cooking practices, and use of food thermometers. Finally, data
are used to evaluate educational messages and to inform policymakers
about consumer attitudes about novel technologies such as food
irradiation and biotechnology.
Since 2006, there have been several high profile recalls of FDA-
regulated food due to contamination. Information about food recalls
does not always reach the intended audience (Refs. 1, 2, and 3). The
Food Safety Survey planned for 2009 will look specifically at reasons
why consumers do not always heed food recall alerts. A new food recall
module will be added that contains new questions to learn about how
recent food recalls have affected consumer confidence in the food
supply and what effect, if any, they have on consumers' home food
safety behaviors. This information will help FDA develop strategies to
more effectively communicate food recall information to the public.
The methods for the 2009 version of the Food Safety Survey will be
the same as for the previous Food Safety Surveys. A nationally
representative sample of 4,000 adults in households with telephones
will be selected at random and interviewed by telephone. This survey
will include an oversample of Hispanics with a minimum of 500 Hispanics
sampled. Additionally, 200 initial non-respondents will be asked to
participate in a short version of the survey to conduct a non-response
analysis. Participation will be voluntary. Cognitive interviews and a
pre-test will be conducted prior to fielding the survey.
FDA estimates the burden of this collection of information as
follows:
Table 1--Estimated Annual Reporting Burden\1\
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No. of Annual Frequency Total Annual Hours per
Activity Respondents per Response Responses Response Total Hours
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Cognitive 20 1 20 1 20
Interviews
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Pretest 27 1 27 0.5 14
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Screener 10,000 1 10,000 .0167 167
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Survey 4,000 1 4,000 .30 1,200
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Non-response 200 1 200 .10 20
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Total 1,421
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\1\ There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of
information.
FDA's burden estimate is based on the agency's prior experience
with the Food Safety Survey.
Please note that on January 15, 2008, the FDA Division of Dockets
Management Web site transitioned to the Federal Dockets Management
System (FDMS). FDMS is a Government-wide, electronic docket management
system. Electronic comments or submissions will be accepted by FDA only
through FDMS at http://www.regulations.gov.
II. References
1. Cuite, C.L., S.C. Condry, M.L. Nucci, W.K. Hallman. ``Public
Response to the Contaminated Spinach Recall of 2006.'' (Publication
number RR-0107-013), 2007. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers, the State
University of New Jersey, Food Policy Institute.
2. Mahon, B.E., L. Slutsker, L. Hutwagner, C. Drenzek, K.
Maloney, K. Toomey, P.M. Griffin. ``Consequences in Georgia of a
Nationwide Outbreak of Salmonella Infections: What You Don't Know
Might Hurt You.'' American Journal of Public Health. 89(1):31-35,
1999.
3. Patrick, M.E., P.M. Griffin, A.C. Voetsch, P.S. Mead,
``Effectiveness of Recall Notification: Community Response to a
Nationwide Recall of Hot Dogs and Deli Meats.'' Journal of Food
Protection. 70(10):2373-2376, 2007.
Dated: September 10, 2008.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Associate Commissioner for Policy and Planning.
[FR Doc. E8-21624 Filed 9-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S