[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 5 (Thursday, January 8, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1113-1114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-480]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration


Request for Nominations for Members of Public Advisory 
Committees; Food Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requesting 
nominations for members to serve on the Food Advisory Committee (the 
Committee) in FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. 
Nominations will be accepted for current vacancies and vacancies that 
will or may occur on the Committee during the next 12 months.
    FDA has special interest in ensuring that women, minority groups, 
and the physically handicapped are adequately represented on advisory 
committees and, therefore, extends particular encouragement to 
nominations of appropriately qualified female, minority, or physically 
handicapped candidates. Final selection from among qualified candidates 
for each vacancy will be determined by the expertise required to meet 
specific agency needs and in a manner to ensure appropriate balance of 
membership.

DATES: February 9, 1998.
ADDRESSES: All nominations for membership, except for consumer-
nominated members, should be sent to Catherine M. DeRoever (address 
below). All nominations for the consumer-nominated members should be 
sent to Annette J. Funn (address below).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Regarding all nominations for membership, except consumer-nominated 
members: Catherine M. DeRoever, Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition (HFS-22), Food and Drug Administration, 200 C St. SW., 
Washington, DC 20204, 202-205-4251.
    Regarding all nominations for consumer-nominated members: Annette 
J. Funn, Office of Consumer Affairs (HFE-88), Food and Drug 
Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-5006.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FDA is requesting nominations for members to 
serve on the advisory committee listed below. Individuals should have 
expertise in the activity of the Committee. Vacancies will occur June 
30, 1998.

Food Advisory Committee

    The Committee provides advice primarily to the Director, Center for 
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, and as needed, to the Commissioner 
of Food and Drugs, and other appropriate officials, on emerging food 
safety, food science, and nutrition issues that FDA considers of 
primary importance. The Committee also provides advice and makes 
recommendations on ways of communicating to the public the potential 
risks associated with these issues and recommends approaches to be 
considered in addressing them.

Criteria for Members

    Persons nominated for membership on the Committee shall be 
knowledgeable in the fields of physical sciences, biological and life 
sciences, food science, risk assessment, and other relevant scientific 
disciplines. The agency is particularly interested in considering 
candidates from a variety of medical specialties because many issues 
brought before the committee involve medical or epidemiologic impact on 
nutrients, additives, contaminants, or other constituents of the diet. 
The term of office is up to 4 years.
    The Committee includes technically qualified members who are 
identified with consumer interests and representatives of industry 
interests.

Nomination Procedures

    Interested persons may nominate one or more qualified persons for 
membership on the Committee. Nominations shall state that the nominee 
is willing to serve as a member of the Committee and appears to have no 
conflict of interest that would preclude Committee membership.

[[Page 1114]]

 Additionally, the nominee's mailing address, telephone number, and 
curriculum vitae must accompany the nominations. The agency cannot 
guarantee further consideration of nominations that do not include this 
requested information. Potential candidates will be asked by FDA to 
provide detailed information concerning such matters as financial 
holdings, employment, consultancies, and research grants and/or 
contracts to permit evaluation of possible sources of conflict of 
interest.

Criteria for Consumer-Nominated Members

    Selection of representatives of consumer interests will be 
conducted through procedures that include use of a consortium of 
consumer organizations which has the responsibility for screening, 
interviewing, and recommending candidates for the agency's selection. 
Candidates from this group, like all other candidates for membership on 
the Committee, should posses appropriate qualifications to understand 
and contribute to the Committee's work.

Industry Representatives

    Regarding nominations for members representing industry interests, 
a letter will be sent to each person or organization that has made a 
nomination and to other organizations that have expressed an interest 
in participating in the selection process together with a complete list 
of all such organizations and the nominees. The letter will state that 
it is the responsibility of each nominator or organization that has 
expressed an interest in participating in the selection process to 
consult with the others to provide a consensus slate of possible 
members representing industry interests within 60 days. In the event 
that a slate of nominees has not been provided within 60 days, the 
agency will select an industry representative for each such vacancy 
from the entire list of industry nominees to avoid delay or disruption 
of the work of the Committee. The agency is particularly interested in 
nominees that possess the essential scientific credentials needed to 
participate fully and knowledgeably in the Committee's deliberations. 
In addition to this expertise, the agency believes that it would be an 
advantage to the Committee's work if the individual(s) had special 
insight and direct experience into specific industrywide issues, 
practices, and concerns that might not otherwise be available to others 
not similarly situated.
    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: January 2, 1998.
Michael A. Friedman,
Deputy Commissioner for Operations.
[FR Doc. 98-480 Filed 1-7-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F