10 February 2009

[Federal Register: February 10, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 26)]
[Notices]
[Page 6641-6642]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10fe09-85]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2009-N-0664]


Food Protection; Public Workshop

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS

ACTION: Notice of public workshop

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    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Regulatory
Affairs (ORA), Southwest Regional Office (SWRO), in co-sponsorship with
the University of Arkansas Institute of Food

[[Page 6642]]

Science and Engineering (IFSE), is announcing a public workshop
entitled ``Food Protection Workshop.'' This public workshop is intended
to provide information about food safety, food defense, the regulations
authorized by the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness
and Response Act of 2002 (the Bioterrorism Act), and other subjects
related to the Food Protection Plan as it relates to food facilities
such as farms, manufacturers, processors, distributors, retailers, and
restaurants.
    Date and Time: This public workshop will be held on May 19 and 20,
2009, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Location: The public workshop will be held at the Continuing
Education Center, Two East Center St., Fayetteville, AR (located
downtown).
    Contact Person: Regarding information on accommodation options:
Steven C. Seideman, 2650 North Young Ave., Institute of Food Science
and Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72704, 479-
575-4221, FAX: 479-575-2165, or email: seideman@uark.edu.
    Regarding this document and all other information: David Arvelo,
Food and Drug Administration, Southwest Regional Office, 4040 North
Central Expressway, suite 900, Dallas, TX 75204, 214-253-4952, FAX:
214-253-4970, or e-mail: david.arvelo@fda.hhs.gov.
    Registration: You are encouraged to register by May 8, 2009. The
University of Arkansas has a $250 registration fee to cover the cost of
facilities, materials, speakers, and breaks. Seats are limited; please
submit your registration as soon as possible. Course space will be
filled in order of receipt of registration. Those accepted into the
course will receive confirmation. Registration will close after the
course is filled. Registration at the site is not guaranteed, but it
may be possible on a space available basis on the day of the public
workshop beginning at 8 a.m. The cost of registration at the site is
$350 payable to: The University of Arkansas. If you need special
accommodations due to a disability, please contact Steven C. Seideman
(see Contact Person) at least 14 days in advance.
    To register, please submit your name, affiliation, mailing address,
phone/fax number, and e-mail, along with a check or money order for
$250 payable to: The University of Arkansas. Mail to: Institute of Food
Science and Engineering, University of Arkansas, 2650 North Young Ave.,
Fayetteville, AR 72704.
    Transcripts: Transcripts of the public workshop will not be
available due to the format of this workshop. Workshop handouts may be
requested at cost through the Freedom of Information Office (HFI-35),
Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, rm. 12A-16, Rockville,
MD 20857, approximately 15 working days after the public workshop at a
cost of 10 cents per page.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This public workshop is being held in
response to the large volume of food protection concerns from food
facilities, such as farms, manufacturers, processors, distributors,
retailers, and restaurants, originating from the area covered by the
FDA Dallas District Office. The Southwest Regional Office presents this
workshop to help achieve objectives set forth in section 406 of the
Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 (21 U.S.C. 393),
which include working closely with stakeholders and maximizing the
availability and clarity of information to stakeholders and the public.
This is consistent with the purposes of the Small Business
Representative Program, which are in part to respond to industry
inquiries, develop educational materials, sponsor workshops and
conferences to provide firms, particularly small businesses, with
firsthand working knowledge of FDA's guidance, requirements, and
compliance policies. This workshop is also consistent with the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-
121), as outreach activities by Government agencies to small
businesses.
    The goal of this public workshop is to present information that
will enable food facilities (such as farms, manufacturers, processors,
distributors, retailers, and restaurants) to better comply with the
regulations authorized by the Bioterrorism Act, and with food
protection guidance, especially in light of growing concerns about food
safety and defense. Information presented will be based on agency
position as articulated through regulation, guidance, and information
previously made available to the public. Topics to be discussed at the
workshop include: (1) Food Defense Awareness, (2) ALERT: The Basics,
(3) Employees FIRST, (4) FDA Actions on Bioterrorism Legislation (Food
Supply), (5) CARVER+Shock Software Tool, (6) Food Recalls, (7) Crisis
Management, (8) Food Protection Technologies and Methodologies, and
other related topics. FDA expects that participation in this public
workshop will provide regulated industry with greater understanding of
the regulatory and guidance perspectives on food protection and
increase voluntary compliance and food defense awareness.

    Dated: January 26, 2009.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Associate Commissioner for Policy and Planning.
[FR Doc. E9-2814 Filed 2-9-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4160-01-S