HHS NEWS

 P97-40                         FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION     
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          Print Media:        202-205-4144
 Dec. 1, 1997                   
                                Consumer Inquires:  800-532-4440


    HHS, USDA WILL CONVENE GRASSROOTS MEETINGS ON FOOD SAFETY
 
     The Department of Health and Human Service's Food and Drug
Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are holding
a series of six grassroots public meetings around the country
during the first two weeks of December to discuss steps to
minimize risks of food-borne illness from pathogens on fruits and
vegetables.  
     Michael A. Friedman, M.D., lead deputy commissioner of FDA,
said the series of meetings is being held as part of President
Clinton's initiative announced Oct. 2 to increase the safety of
domestic and imported produce.
     In his announcement, President Clinton directed Executive
Branch food-safety agencies to take several steps to increase the
safety of fruits and vegetables, including the development of
guidance on appropriate growing and processing practices to guard
against microbial contamination.  
     "Our series of grassroots public meetings is being convened
to ensure appropriate public and industry input in the process of
developing this guidance," Friedman said.  "We encourage members 
of the public, consumer groups, agricultural producers and
processors to attend."
     In addition, on Dec. 8, a seventh meeting will be held in
Washington specifically to address international aspects of the
President's initiative on produce safety.  
     Copies of the draft "Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety
Risks for Fruits and Vegetables" will be made available for
review and discussion at each of the meetings.  Government
officials will make presentations on key elements of the
guidance.  FDA expects to formally publish a draft for public
comment early in 1998, and issue final guidance later in the
year.
     Specific topics addressed in the guidance include pathogen
risks and controls associated with water, manure management,
worker health and sanitation, field and facility sanitation, and
transportation and handling of commodities.
    The meetings will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. local
times on the following dates at the locations listed: Dec. 1,
Grand Rapids, Mich., Amway Grand Hotel, Pearl and Monroe Streets;
Dec. 3, Geneva, N.Y., New York State Agricultural Experiment
Station, 630 W. North Street; Dec. 5, West palm Beach, Fla.,
Clayton Hutchinson Agricultural Center, 559 N. Military Trail;
Dec. 8, San Antonio, Texas, Heltoes 4-H Center, 12132 Leslie
Road; Dec. 10, Salinas, Calif., Salinas Community Center, 490 N.
Main Street; and Dec. 12, Clakamas (near Portland), Ore., Monarch 
Hotel, 12566 S.E. 93rd Ave.  The Dec. 8 meeting in Washington on
international aspects will be held at the Department of Health
and Human Services, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 2nd Street and
Independence Ave., S.W.
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