Registration of Food Facilities Under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002; Reopening of Comment Period

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reopening for 30 days, on a limited set of issues, the comment period on the registration of food facilities interim final rule (IFR) that appeared in the Federal Register of October 10, 2003 (68 FR 58894). The IFR requires domestic and foreign facilities that manufacture/process, pack, or hold food for human or animal consumption in the United States to register with FDA by December 12, 2003. FDA is taking this action consistent with its statement in the IFR that it would reopen the comment period for 30 days in March 2004 to ensure that those commenting on the IFR have had the benefit of FDA's outreach and educational efforts and have had experience with the systems, timeframes, and data elements of the registration program.