Temperature-Indicating Devices; Thermally Processed Low-Acid Foods Packaged in Hermetically Sealed Containers

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending its regulations for thermally processed low-acid foods packaged in hermetically sealed containers to allow for use of other temperature- indicating devices, in addition to mercury-in-glass thermometers, during processing. This final rule also establishes recordkeeping requirements relating to temperature-indicating devices and reference devices maintained by the processor and allows for the use of advanced technology for measuring and recording temperatures during processing. Finally, this final rule includes metric equivalents of avoirdupois (U.S.) measurements where appropriate. This final rule will allow low- acid canned food processors to transition from mercury-in-glass thermometers to alternative temperature-indicating devices. Use of temperature-indicating devices that do not contain mercury will eliminate concerns about potential contamination of the food or the processing environment from broken mercury-in-glass thermometers. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is publishing a 30-day notice announcing that it has submitted the information collection provisions of this final rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA). The notice also invites the public to submit comments on the information provisions to OMB. Prior to the effective date of this final rule, FDA will publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing OMB's decision to approve, modify, or disapprove the information collection provisions of the final rule.