# Ecolab, Inc.; Filing of Food Additive Petition
**AGENCY:**
Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
**ACTION:**
Notice of petition.
**SUMMARY:**
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that Ecolab, Inc., has filed a petition proposing that the food additive regulations be amended to provide for the safe use of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate as an antimicrobial agent in produce wash water without the requirement of a potable water rinse.
**DATES:**
Submit either electronic or written comments on the petitioner's environmental assessment by March 5, 2012.
**ADDRESSES:**
Submit electronic comments to *http://www.regulations.gov.* Submit written comments to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Celeste Johnston, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-265), Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740-3835, (240) 402-1282.
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (section 409(b)(5) (21 U.S.C. 348(b)(5))), notice is given that a food additive petition (FAP 2A4785) has been filed by Ecolab, Inc., 370 North Wabasha St., St. Paul, MN 55102-1390. The petition proposes to amend the food additive regulations in 21 CFR part 173, *Secondary Direct Food Additives Permitted in Food for Human Consumption,* to provide for the safe use of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate as an antimicrobial agent in produce wash water without the requirement of a potable water rinse.
The potential environmental impact of this petition is being reviewed. To encourage public participation consistent with regulations issued under the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 1501.4(b)), the Agency is placing the environmental assessment submitted with the petition that is the subject of this notice on public display at the Division of Dockets Management (see *DATES* and *ADDRESSES* ) for public review and comment.
Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management (see *ADDRESSES* ) either electronic or written comments regarding this document. It is only necessary to send one set of comments. Identify comments with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document. Received comments may be seen in the Division of Dockets Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. FDA will also place on public display any amendments to, or comments on, the petitioner's environmental assessment without further announcement in the *Federal Register* . If, based on its review, the Agency finds that an environmental impact statement is not required, and this petition results in a regulation, the notice of availability of the Agency's finding of no significant impact and the evidence supporting that finding will be published with the regulation in the *Federal Register* in accordance with 21 CFR 25.51(b).
Dated: January 19, 2012.
Dennis M. Keefe,
Director, Office of Food Additive Safety, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.