E9-11319. Request for Nominations for Voting Consumer Representative Members on Public Advisory Committees

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requesting nominations for voting consumer representatives to serve on the Food Advisory Committee. This advisory committee is under the purview of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN).

FDA has a special interest in ensuring that women, minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are adequately represented on its advisory committees and, therefore, encourages nominations of qualified candidates from these groups.

DATES:

Nominations will be accepted for those voting consumer representative vacancies that will occur on June 30, 2010. Nominations received before July 14, 2009, will be considered for June 30, 2010, vacancies. Nominations received after July 14, 2009, will be accepted for vacancies occurring after June 30, 2010.

ADDRESSES:

All nominations for membership should be sent electronically to [e-mail], or by mail to Advisory Committee Oversight and Management Staff (HF-4), 5600 Fishers Lane, rm. 15A-12, Rockville, MD 20857. Information about becoming a member on an FDA advisory committee can also be obtained by visiting FDA's Web site at http://www.fda.gov/​oc/​advisory/​default.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Carolyn Jeletic, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-024), 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740, 301-436-1913, FAX: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

FDA is requesting nominations for voting consumer members on the following CFSAN committee:

I. Function

Food Advisory Committee

The Committee provides advice primarily to Commissioner of Food and Drugs and other appropriate officials, on emerging food safety, food science, nutrition, and other food-related health issues that FDA considers of primary importance for its food and cosmetics programs. The Committee may be charged with reviewing and evaluating available data and making recommendations on matters such as those relating to the following topics: (1) Broad scientific and technical food or cosmetic related issues, (2) the safety of new foods and food ingredients, (3) labeling of foods and cosmetics, (4) nutrient needs and nutritional adequacy, and (5) safe exposure limits for food contaminants. The Committee may also be asked to provide advice and make recommendations on ways of communicating to the public the potential risks associated with these issues and on approaches that might be considered for addressing the issues.

II. Criteria for Members

Persons who are nominated for membership on the committees as consumer representatives must meet the following criteria: (1) Demonstrate ties to consumer and community-based organizations, (2) be able to analyze scientific and technical data, (3) understand research design, and (4) discuss benefits and risks. The consumer representative must be able to represent the consumer perspective on issues and actions before the advisory committee; serve as a liaison between the committee and interested consumers, associations, coalitions, and consumer organizations; and facilitate dialogue with the advisory committees on scientific issues that affect consumers.

III. Selection Procedures

The selection of members representing consumer interests is conducted through procedures that include the use of organizations representing the public interest and consumer advocacy groups. The organizations have the responsibility of recommending candidates of the agency's selection.

IV. Nomination Procedures

All nominations must include a cover letter, a curriculum vitae or resume (that includes the nominee's office address, telephone number, and e-mail address), and a list of consumer or community-based organizations for which the candidate can demonstrate active participation. Nominations will specify the advisory committee for which the nominee is recommended. Nominations will include confirmation that the nominee is aware of the nomination.

Any interested person or organization may nominate one or more qualified persons for membership on one or more of the advisory committees to represent consumer interests. Self-nominations are also accepted. FDA will ask the potential candidates to provide detailed information concerning such matters as financial holdings, employment, and research grants and/or contracts to permit evaluation of possible sources of a conflict of interest. The nomination should specify the committee of interest. The term of office is up to 4 years, depending on the appointment date. This notice is issued under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. app. 2) and 21 CFR part 14, relating to advisory committees.

Dated: May 7, 2009.

Randall W. Lutter,

Deputy Commissioner for Policy.