Listing of Color Additives Exempt From Certification; Tomato Lycopene Extract and Tomato Lycopene Concentrate

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responding to two objections that it received on the final rule that amended the color additive regulations authorizing the use of tomato lycopene extract and tomato lycopene concentrate as color additives in foods. After reviewing the objections to the final rule, the agency has concluded that the objections do not raise issues of material fact that justify a hearing or otherwise provide a basis for modifying the amendment to the regulation. FDA is also establishing a new effective date for this color additive regulation, which was stayed by the filing of proper objections.