[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 229 (Friday, November 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63349-63350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31366]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 97N-0451]
Microbial Safety of Produce; Grassroots and International
Meetings
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing six
grassroots meetings and one international meeting to discuss generally
the President's recently announced 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 input on the general draft guide
entitled ``Guide to Minimizing Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh
Fruit and Vegetables.''
DATES AND TIME: For the domestic meetings see Table 1 in the
``SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION'' section of this document. For the
international meeting see Table 2. Submit written comments by December
19, 1997. All the meetings will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ADDRESSES: For the domestic meetings see Table 1 in the ``SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION'' section of this document. For the international meeting
see Table 2. Submit written comments to the Dockets Management Branch
(HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 12420 Parklawn Dr., rm. 1-23,
Rockville, MD 20857. Copies of the ``Guide to Minimizing Microbial Food
Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables'' may be obtained from
Joan E. Duy, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-335),
Food and Drug Administration, 200 C St. SW., rm. 3812, Washington, DC
20204, 202-260-8920, FAX 202-205-4422, e-mail jduy@bangate.fda.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on this
document: Camille E. Brewer, Center for Food Safety and Applied
Nutrition (HFS-165), Food and Drug Administration, 200 C St. SW., rm.
3169, Washington, DC, 202-260-8920, FAX 202-205-4422, e-mail
ceb@cfsan.fda.gov. Send registration information (including name,
title, firm name, mailing address, telephone number and fax number if
appropriate) to the contact person listed for the city in which you
will attend.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 2, 1997, the President announced
an initiative to ensure the safety of imported and domestic produce and
other foods. This initiative is geared to optimize the microbial safety
of domestic and imported fresh fruits and vegetables. As part of this
initiative, the President directed the Secretary of the Department of
Health and Human Services (DHHS), in partnership with the Secretary of
the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and in cooperation with the
agricultural community, to issue advice on good agricultural practices
and good manufacturing practices for fresh fruits and vegetables. FDA
will coordinate the effort for DHHS. As part of this effort, FDA plans
to publish for public
[[Page 63350]]
comment a draft guide early in 1998, and a final guide later in 1998.
On November 17, 1997, at a public meeting in Washington, DC, FDA
and USDA provided details on a broad, general draft approach on how to
minimize microbial contamination through the control of water, manure,
worker sanitation and health, field and facility sanitation, and
transportation and handling. A draft guide entitled ``Guide to
Minimizing Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruit and
Vegetables,'' will be available December 1, 1997, on FDA's World Wide
Web Home Page (http//www.fda.gov).
The grassroots and the international meetings will include an
overview of the President's initiative and a review of the general
draft guide. The meetings are intended to obtain input into the draft
guide. While all meetings are open to any interested parties, the
grassroots meetings will focus specifically on domestic produce, and
the international meeting will focus on imported produce.
Transcripts of the grassroots and international 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, approximated 15 working days after each meeting at a cost of
10 cents per page. The transcripts of the grassroots and the
international meetings will be available for public examination at the
Dockets Management Branch (address above) between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday.
Table 1.--Domestic Meetings
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Meeting Address Date FDA Contact Person
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Grand Rapids: Amway Grand December 1, 1997 Evelyn Denke, Food
Hotel, Pearl and Monroe, Grand and Drug
Rapids, MI.. Administration,
Detroit District
Office (HFR-
MW245), 1500 E.
Jefferson Ave.,
Detroit, MI 48207-
3179, 313-226-
6158.
Geneva: New York State December 3, 1997 Beverly Kent, Food
Agricultural Experiment and Drug
Station, 630 West North St., Administration,
Geneva, NY.. Buffalo District
Office, 599
Delaware Ave.,
Buffalo, NY
14202, 716-551-
4461 ext. 3131.
West Palm Beach: Clayton December 5, 1997 Lynn Isaacs, Food
Hutchinson Agricultural and Drug
Center, 559 North Military Administration,
Trail, West Palm Beach, FL.. Florida District
Office, 7200 Lake
Ellenor Dr.,
suite 120,
Orlando, FL
32809, 407-648-
6922 ext. 202.
San Antonio: Helotes 4-H December 8, 1997 Sylvia Yetts, Food
Center, San Antonio, TX, 12132 and Drug
Leslie Rd., Helotes, TX.. Administration,
Dallas District
Office (HFR-
SW100), 3310 Live
Oak St., Dallas,
TX 75204, 214-655-
5315 ext. 344.
Salinas: Salinas Community December 10, 1997 Mary Acton, Food
Center, 490 North Main St., and Drug
Salinas, CA.. Administration,
San Francisco
District Office
(HFR-PA150), 1431
Harbor Bay Pkwy.,
Alameda, CA
94502, 510-337-
6765.
Portland: Monarch Hotel, 12566 December 12, 1997 Debra Tucker, Food
SE. 93d Ave., Clackamas, OR.. and Drug
Administration,
Portland District
Office, 9780 SW.
Nimus Ave.,
Beaverton, OR
97008, 503-671-
9711 ext. 10.
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Table 2.--International Meeting
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Meeting Address Date FDA Contact Person
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Washington, DC: Department of Monday, December 8, Marilyn Veek, Food
Health and Human Services, 1997 and Drug
Hubert Humphrey Bldg., 200 and Administration,
Independence, Washington, DC.. Office of
International
Affairs (HFG-1),
5600 Fishers
Lane, Rockville,
MD 20857, 301-827-
0906
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Dated: November 24, 1997.
William K. Hubbard,
Associate Commissioner for Policy Coordination.
[FR Doc. 97-31366 Filed 11-25-97; 11:18 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F
