[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 88 (Friday, May 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 24663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-11317]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 99N-1168]


Public Health Impact of Foodborne Listeria Monocytogenes

AGENCY:  Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Food Safety 
and Applied Nutrition, in conjunction with the Risk Assessment Working 
Group of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria 
for Foods, and in cooperation with the Food Safety and Inspection 
Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is announcing a public 
meeting to discuss issues related to risk assessment models being 
developed to examine the relationship between Listeria monocytogenes 
and human health. The agency invites comments on issues related to the 
public meeting.

DATES: The public meeting will be held on Thursday, May 27, 1999, from 
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration must be submitted by May 20, 1999. Submit 
written comments by June 30, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the Ambassador West 
Hotel, 1300 North State Pkwy., Chicago, IL. Submit written comments to 
the Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 
5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Two copies of any 
comments are to be submitted, except that individuals may submit one 
copy. Comments are to be identified with the docket number found in 
brackets in the heading of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Catherine M. DeRoever, Executive 
Operations Staff (HFS-22), Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 
20204, 202-205-4251, FAX 202-205-4970, or e-mail 
``[email protected]''.
    Interested persons should send registration information (including 
name, title, firm name, address, telephone number, and fax number), 
written material with an outline of their presentation, and requests to 
make oral presentations to the contact person by May 20, 1999.
    There is no registration fee for this public meeting, but advance 
registration is suggested because space may be limited.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  This purpose of the public meeting is to 
provide an opportunity for an open discussion on the issues related to 
risk assessment models under development that will be used to examine 
the relationship between L. monocytogenes and human health.
    The agenda will include presentations on such topics as: (1) 
Introduction to the risk assessment, (2) epidemiology of L. 
monocytogenes outbreaks, (3) presence of L. monocytogenes in foods, (4) 
consumption patterns of foods containing L. monocytogenes, and (5) 
characteristics of L. monocytogenes dose-response.
    The sponsoring agencies encourage individuals with relevant 
scientific data or information, (i.e., information concerning the 
epidemiology, exposure, and dose-response relationship of L. 
monocytogenes) to present such information at the meeting or in written 
comments.
    Transcripts of the public meeting 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, 
approximately 15 working days after the meeting at 10 cents per page. 
The transcript of the public meeting and submitted comments will be 
available for public examination at the Dockets Management Branch 
(address above) between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

    Dated: April 29, 1999.
William K. Hubbard,
Acting Deputy Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 99-11317 Filed 05-06-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F