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 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Meeting address Date and local time FDA contact person ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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