Direct and Secondary Direct Food Additives; Sodium Mono- and Dimethyl Naphthalene Sulfonates

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the food additive regulations to provide for the safe use of sodium mono- and dimethyl naphthalene sulfonates as an aid in the steam/scald vacuum peeling of tomatoes without a subsequent potable water wash. This action is in response to a petition filed by Enviro Tech Chemical Services, Inc. In conjunction with this action, the agency is also amending the food additive regulations by broadening a section heading to cover the new application and by removing the redundant cross- reference to a section. DATES: Effective February 12, 1998; written objections and requests for a hearing by March 16, 1998. ADDRESSES: Submit written objections to the Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 12420 Parklawn Dr., rm. 1-23, Rockville, MD 20857. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martha D. Peiperl, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-215), Food and Drug Administration, 200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-418-3077. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a notice published in the Federal Register of March 19, 1996 (61 FR 11214), FDA announced that a food additive petition (FAP 6A4487) had been filed by Enviro Tech Chemical Services, Inc., P.O. Box 577470, Modesto, CA 95357. The petition proposed to amend the food additive regulations in Sec. 172.824 Sodium mono- and dimethyl naphthalene sulfonates (21 CFR 172.824) to provide for the safe use of sodium mono- and dimethyl naphthalene sulfonates as an aid in peeling tomatoes without a potable water wash. Sodium mono- and dimethyl naphthalene sulfonates are currently approved in Sec. 172.824 as an anticaking agent in sodium nitrite, for use in the crystallization of sodium carbonate intended for use in potable water systems to reduce hardness and aid in sedimentation and coagulation and by cross-reference to Sec. 173.315 Chemicals used in washing or to assist in the lye peeling of fruits and vegetables (21 CFR 173.315), in the washing or to assist in