Federal Register: May 6, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 87)
Notices
Page 25059-25060
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access wais.access.gpo.gov
DOCID:fr06my98-72
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
Docket No. 97N-0451
Microbial Safety of Produce; Notice of Public Meetings
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing three
public meetings to discuss the President's initiative to ensure the
safety of imported and domestic fruits and vegetables and other foods,
and specifically the microbial safety of produce. The meetings are
intended to give an overview of, and obtain comment on, the general
draft guide entitled ``Guidance for Industry: Guide to Minimize
Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables'' (the
proposed guide). One of the meetings will focus primarily on obtaining
comment from the international audience.
DATES: See Table 1 in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this
document.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the meetings and on the proposed
guide to the Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug
Administration, 12420 Parklawn Dr., rm. 1-23, Rockville, MD 20857.
Submit written requests for single copies of the proposed guide to Lou
Carson, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 200 C St. SW.,
rm. 3812, Washington, DC 20204, 202-260-8920. Send one self-adhesive
address label to assist that office in processing your request.
Comments on the meetings or on the proposed guide should be identified
with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this
document.
The meetings will be at the addresses and on the dates listed in
Table 1. Registration is not required.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Camille E. Brewer, Center for Food
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-32), Food and Drug Administration,
200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-260-1784, FAX 202-260-9653, e-
mail cbrewer@bangate.fda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On October 2, 1997, the President announced the ``Initiative to
Ensure the Safety of Imported and Domestic Fruits and Vegetables''
(fresh produce safety initiative). As part of the fresh produce safety
initiative, the President directed the Secretary of Health and Human
Services (DHHS) and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA), in cooperation with the agricultural community, to issue,
within 1 year, guidance on good agricultural practices and good
manufacturing practices for fresh fruits and vegetables. FDA is
coordinating the effort for DHHS.
As part of this effort, FDA and USDA held a series of public
meetings between November 17, 1997, and December 12, 1997, to provide
the details on a broad approach on how to minimize microbial
contamination through the control of water, manure, worker health and
hygiene, field and facility sanitation, and transportation. A draft
guide entitled ``Working Draft: Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety
Hazards for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables'' was made available on FDA's
World Wide Web (WWW) home page (http://www.fda.gov) and at each public
meeting. Transcripts of these meetings and all comments received on the
working draft of the proposed guide are on file in the Dockets
Management Branch (address above) under the docket number found in
brackets in the heading of this document and are accessible via the FDA
home page on the WWW (http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/default.htm).
In the Federal Register of April 13, 1998 (63 FR 18029), FDA
published a notice of availability of the proposed guide that responded
to comments received on the working draft of the guide. The revised
draft entitled ``Guidance for Industry: Guide to Minimize Microbial
Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables'' is available on
the FDA home page on the WWW (http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/
default.htm).
The public meetings will include an overview of the President's
fresh produce safety initiative and a review of the proposed guide. The
meetings are intended to obtain comment on the specific recommendations
made in the
Page 25060
proposed guide and how the recommendations might best be applied.
II. Requests for Comments
Interested persons may submit written comments on the meetings and
on the proposed guide to the Dockets Management Branch (address above).
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. A copy of the
proposed guide and received comments are available for public
examination in the office above between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday
through Friday.
III. Transcripts
Transcripts of the meetings 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 each meeting at a cost of 10 cents per page. The
transcripts of the meetings will be available for public examination at
the Dockets Management Branch (address above).
Persons requiring a sign language interpreter or other special
accommodations should notify the contact person referenced above by
February 19, 1998.
IV. Electronic Access
Transcripts of the meetings will be available on the Internet using
the WWW (http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/default.htm). The proposed
guide is available at the same address.
Table 1.--Public Meetings
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Meeting address Date and local time FDA contact person
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WASHINGTON, DC: Department of May 19, 1998, Marilyn Veek, Food
Health and Human Services, Tuesday, 10 a.m. and Drug
Hubert Humphrey Bldg., rm. to 5 p.m. Administration,
800, 200 and Independence Office of
Ave., Washington, DC 20201. International
Affairs (HFG-1),
5600 Fishers
Lane, Rockville,
MD 20857, 301-827-
0906
MIAMI: Miami Dade County May 21, 1998, Estela Niella-
Cooperative Extension Service Thursday, 10 a.m. Brown, Food and
Agriculture Center,18710 SW. to 5 p.m. Drug
288th St., Homestead, FL 33033. Administration,
P.O. Box 59-2256,
Miami, FL 33159-
2256, 305-526-
2800, ext. 930.
SAN DIEGO: Malcolm X Branch May 27, 1998, Rosario
Library Multipurpose Room, Wednesday, 10 a.m. Quintanilla Vior,
5148 Market St., San Diego, CA to 5 p.m. Food and Drug
92114. Administration,
19900 MacArthur
Blvd., suite 300,
Irvine, CA 92612-
2445, 714-798-
7607.
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Dated: May 1, 1998.
William K. Hubbard,
Associate Commissioner for Policy Coordination.
FR Doc. 98-12116 Filed 5-4-98; 1:10 pm
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F
April 13, 1998 Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables