Color additives fees
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
FDA is accepting public comments until May 31 on an interim final rule amending color additive regulations that will increase fees for color certification in an effort to ensure viability of the program and offset increased costs, agency announces in March 28 Federal Register 1notice. Effective April 28, the interim final rule increases certification fees for straight colors, including lakes, $.05 to $.35 per pound, with a minimum fee of $224, FDA notes. "The entire cost of this fee increase would be approximately $849,626 per year and would be distributed amongst approximately 23 companies who would pay an increased fee that is proportional to the number of pounds of color that they certify," the agency adds. The current fee schedule, which went into effect in 1994, is insufficient to meet "significantly increased" costs of the program including escalating staff payroll, rent and facility charges, and general operational expenses like equipment, according to FDA...