[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 7 (Thursday, January 10, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2273-2274]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00293]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. FDA-2012-P-1189]
Canned Tuna Deviating From Identity Standard; Temporary Permit
for Market Testing
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) received an
application for a temporary permit from Chicken of the Sea
International (the applicant). We are announcing that we have issued a
temporary permit to the applicant to market test products (designated
as ``no drain canned tuna'' products) that deviate from the U.S.
standard of identity for canned tuna. The purpose of the temporary
permit is to market test the product throughout the United States. The
permit will allow the applicant to measure consumer acceptance of the
new product and assess the new product's commercial feasibility.
DATES: This permit is effective for 15 months, beginning on the date
the applicant introduces or causes the introduction of one or more of
the test products into interstate commerce, but not later than April
10, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Loretta A. Carey, Center for Food
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-820), Food and Drug Administration,
5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740, 240-402-2371.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are giving notice that we have issued a
temporary permit to Chicken of the Sea International, 9330 Scranton
Rd., suite 500, San Diego, CA 92121-7706. We are issuing the temporary
permit in accordance with 21 CFR 130.17, which addresses temporary
permits for interstate shipment of experimental packs of food varying
from the requirements of standards of identity issued under section 401
of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 341).
[[Page 2274]]
The permit covers limited interstate marketing tests of products
identified as ``no drain canned tuna'' products. These test products
deviate from the U.S. standard of identity for canned tuna (21 CFR
161.190, hereinafter ``the standard'') in that the test products are
prepared by: (1) Adding such a small amount of liquid that the products
will not contain a packing medium in accordance with the standard; (2)
adding seasoning and flavoring ingredients (i.e., lemon juice
concentrate, lime oil, and chili paste) that are not permitted under
the current standard; and (3) deviating from the fill requirements of
the standard without including on the product label a general statement
of substandard fill. The test products meet all the requirements of the
standard with the exception of these three deviations. The purpose of
this temporary permit is to market test the product throughout the
United States. The permit will allow the applicant to measure customer
acceptance of the new product and assess the new product's commercial
feasibility.
This permit provides for the temporary marketing of a total 533,333
cases of 12 x 4 ounce cans (totaling 6.4 million cans), covering 1.6
million pounds (725,747 kg) of test products. The test products will be
manufactured by: Thai Union Frozen Products Public Company PLC (located
at 30/2 Sethakit 1 Rd., Tambon Tarsrai, Ampheur Muang, Samutsakon
74000, Thailand); Paul Paulet SAS (located at SA Zone Industrielle De
Pouldavid, 29177 Dourrneinez, France); Pioneer Food Company (located at
Pioneer Food Company Building, P.O. Box 4D, Fishing Harbour, Tema,
Ghana); and Indian Ocean Tuna LTD (located at P.O Box 676, Fishing Port
Victoria, Mah[eacute], Seychelles). Chicken of the Sea International
will distribute the test products throughout the United States. Under
this temporary permit, the principal display panels of the test
products must bear the phrase ``no drain canned tuna'' in addition to
one of the following names: ``Solid Light Tuna,'' ''Solid White
Albacore Tuna,'' ''Solid Light Tuna Thai Chili,'' and ``Solid Light
Tuna Lemon Pepper.'' The information panels on the labels of the test
products must bear nutrition labeling in accordance with 21 CFR 101.9.
Each of the ingredients used in the food must be declared on the labels
of the test products as required by the applicable sections of 21 CFR
part 101. This permit is effective for 15 months, beginning on the date
the applicant introduces or causes the introduction of one or more of
the test products into interstate commerce, but not later than April
10, 2013.
Dated: December 26, 2012.
Barbara Schneeman,
Director, Office of Nutrition, Labeling and Dietary Supplements, Center
for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
[FR Doc. 2013-00293 Filed 1-9-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-P