[Federal Register: January 14, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 9)]
[Notices]               
[Page 2231-2232]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14ja98-68]

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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-00520; FRL-5765-8]

 
1996 Food Quality Protection Act; Right-To-Know Draft Brochure

Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Action: Notice of availability.

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

Summary: EPA is announcing the availability for public comment of a 
draft brochure containing information on pesticide residues in food. 
The draft brochure is available in two formats; the text is identical, 
but the illustrations differ. EPA is required by the Food Quality 
Protection Act to make this brochure available to the public through 
large grocery stores by August 3, 1998.

Dates: Comments must be received on or before March 2, 1998.

ADDRESSES: By mail, submit written comments to: Public Information and 
Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division 
(7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 
401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In person, deliver comments to: 
Rm. 119, CM #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.
    Comments and data may also be submitted electronically to: opp-
docket@epamail.epa.gov. Follow the instructions under Unit II. of this 
document. No Confidential Business Information (CBI) should be 
submitted through e-mail.
    Information submitted as a comment concerning this document may be 
claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that information as 
CBI. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance 
with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. A copy of the comment that 
does not contain CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public 
record. Information not marked confidential will be included in the 
public docket by EPA without prior notice. The public docket is 
available for public inspection in Rm. 119 at the Virginia address 
given above, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding 
legal holidays.
    To receive copies of the draft brochure: By mail: Public 
Information and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and 
Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In person: Rm. 
119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA, 
Telephone: (703) 305-5805; Fax: (703) 305-4646, e-mail: opp-
docket@epamail.epa.gov.
For Further Information Contact: Joshua Alexander, Communications 
Services Branch, Field and External Affairs Division (7506C), Office of 
Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20460, Telephone: (703) 308-0835, Fax: (703) 305-5558, 
e-

[[Page 2232]]

mail: alexander.joshua@epamail.epa.gov.
Supplementary Information:
Electronic Availability:
Internet
    Electronic copies of this document and the draft brochure are 
available from the EPA Home Page at the Federal Register--Environmental 
Documents entry for this document under ``Laws and Regulations'' 
(http://www.epa.gov/                fedrgstr/).
Fax-on-Demand
    Using a faxphone call 202-401-0527 and select item 6020 for a copy 
of the draft brochure entitled ``Pesticides on Food: Consumer 
Information.''

I. Background

    On August 3, 1996, President Clinton signed into law the Food 
Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA). FQPA significantly amends the 
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the 
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), the laws governing 
pesticide regulation. FQPA sets a new health-based safety standard for 
all pesticide residues in food and requires that all established 
permissible pesticide residue limits (tolerances) be re-evaluated in 
accordance with the new standard.
    The new law requires EPA to provide information on pesticide 
residues in or on food to large grocery stores for public display. At a 
minimum, the Agency must inform the public of the risks and benefits of 
pesticide use on food; a listing of all pesticides which do not meet 
the new standard; foods containing residues of these pesticides and 
foods that may reasonably substitute for these; and ways consumers can 
reduce their exposure to pesticides.
    This effort builds on the Agency's commitment to ensure consumer 
safety and strengthen its right-to-know efforts to ensure that 
consumers are provided information which will allow them to make 
informed and environmentally-conscious decisions. The Agency is 
exploring additional mechanisms for informing the public about ways to 
reduce their exposure to pesticides and other chemicals in their diet, 
homes, workplaces, and schools.
    This Federal Register Notice announces the availability of the 
draft brochure entitled ``Pesticides on Food: Consumer Information.'' 
The draft brochure is available in two formats; the text is identical, 
but the illustrations differ. EPA is soliciting comments on this draft 
brochure prior to publication and distribution to large grocery stores 
for public display.
    In developing this draft brochure, EPA has been consulting on a 
wide range of issues with key constituencies, primarily through the 
Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC). The PPDC is a permanently 
chartered Federal advisory committee that plays a key role in the 
implementation of FQPA. It provides advice and guidance to EPA on 
regulatory development and reform initiatives as well as public policy 
and regulatory issues associated with evaluating and reducing risks 
from pesticide use. In March 1997, the PPDC established a workgroup (29 
members) consisting of EPA representatives, industry, the Food and Drug 
Administration, the United States Department of Agriculture, and 
environmental and public interest groups. In addition to these 
constituencies, to ensure that the brochure is understandable and 
useful, the Agency is conducting consumer research: 48 consumers have 
been interviewed to determine their knowledge and perceptions of 
pesticides. This draft brochure and future versions of it also will be 
evaluated by consumers in focus groups during January, February, and 
March 1998. Documents relating to the development of the draft brochure 
are being made available under docket control number OPP-00520.
    In addition, EPA, is providing the public with an opportunity to 
comment on the Agency's interpretation of ``public display'' as it is 
used in section 408(o) of the FFDCA. EPA interprets ``public display'' 
to mean: to place the brochure in a manner that makes it available and 
visible to all shoppers, either in the produce department, entrance, or 
check-out; to make available copies for shoppers to pick up, and to 
replenish the supply when necessary. The FFDCA allows grocers to 
determine the manner of public display. However, EPA believes it is 
important to emphasize that grocers do have an obligation to display 
the brochure, and that it is neccessary and appropriate to define 
``public display,'' to ensure that the intent of section 408(o) is 
effectuated.

II. Public Record and Electronic Submissions

    The official record for this document, as well as the public 
version, has been established for this document under docket control 
number ``OPP-00520'' (including comments and data submitted 
electronically as described below). A public version of this record, 
including printed, paper versions of electronic comments, which does 
not include any information claimed as CBI, is available for inspection 
from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal 
holidays. The official record is located at the Virginia address in 
``ADDRESSES'' at the beginning of this document.
    Electronic comments can be sent directly to EPA at:
    opp-docket@epamail.epa.gov


    Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the 
use of special characters and any form of encryption. Comment and data 
will also be accepted on disks in Wordperfect 5.1/6.1 or ASCII file 
format. All comments and data in electronic form must be identified by 
the docket control number ``OPP-00520.'' Electronic comments on this 
document may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Agricultural commodities, Pesticides.
    Dated: January 8, 1998.
Lynn R. Goldman,
Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic 
Substances.

[FR Doc. 98-925 Filed 1-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F