[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]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 [email protected].

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 
[email protected]. 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                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Meeting Address                  Date         FDA Contact Person
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.    
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                     Table 2.--International Meeting                    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Meeting Address                  Date         FDA Contact Person
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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             
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    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