[Federal Register: May 7, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 88)] [Notices] [Page 24663] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr07my99-100] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration [Docket No. 99N-1168] Public Health Impact of Foodborne Listeria Monocytogenes AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS. ACTION: Notice of public meeting; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, in conjunction with the Risk Assessment Working Group of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods, and in cooperation with the Food Safety and Inspection Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is announcing a public meeting to discuss issues related to risk assessment models being developed to examine the relationship between Listeria monocytogenes and human health. The agency invites comments on issues related to the public meeting. DATES: The public meeting will be held on Thursday, May 27, 1999, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration must be submitted by May 20, 1999. Submit written comments by June 30, 1999. ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the Ambassador West Hotel, 1300 North State Pkwy., Chicago, IL. Submit written comments to the Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Two copies of any comments are to be submitted, except that individuals may submit one copy. Comments are to be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine M. DeRoever, Executive Operations Staff (HFS-22), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-205-4251, FAX 202-205-4970, or e-mail ``cderoeve@bangate.fda.gov''. Interested persons should send registration information (including name, title, firm name, address, telephone number, and fax number), written material with an outline of their presentation, and requests to make oral presentations to the contact person by May 20, 1999. There is no registration fee for this public meeting, but advance registration is suggested because space may be limited. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This purpose of the public meeting is to provide an opportunity for an open discussion on the issues related to risk assessment models under development that will be used to examine the relationship between L. monocytogenes and human health. The agenda will include presentations on such topics as: (1) Introduction to the risk assessment, (2) epidemiology of L. monocytogenes outbreaks, (3) presence of L. monocytogenes in foods, (4) consumption patterns of foods containing L. monocytogenes, and (5) characteristics of L. monocytogenes dose-response. The sponsoring agencies encourage individuals with relevant scientific data or information, (i.e., information concerning the epidemiology, exposure, and dose-response relationship of L. monocytogenes) to present such information at the meeting or in written comments. Transcripts of the public meeting may be requested in writing from 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 meeting at 10 cents per page. The transcript of the public meeting and submitted comments will be available for public examination at the Dockets Management Branch (address above) between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Dated: April 29, 1999. William K. Hubbard, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Policy. [FR Doc. 99-11317 Filed 05-06-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160-01-F