[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 156 (Friday, August 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44225-44226]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20992]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 99N-0438]


Bare-Hand Contact of Ready-to-Eat Foods

AGENCY:  Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting; request for comments.

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SUMMARY:  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition, in conjunction with the National Advisory 
Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (the committee), and in 
cooperation with the Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture is announcing a public meeting to discuss 
issues related to the contamination of ready-to-eat foods in retail 
establishments. The sponsoring agencies invite comments on this issue 
at the request of the Conference for Food Protection.

DATES:  The public meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 1999, 
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Wednesday,

[[Page 44226]]

September 22, 1999, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration and written 
notices of participation must be submitted by September 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at The Washington Plaza 
Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle NW., at Massachusetts Ave. and 14th St., 
Washington, DC. Submit registration and written notices of 
participation to Catherine M. DeRoever (address below). 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, Advisory 
Committee Office (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]''.
    Those persons interested in attending the public meeting should, by 
September 13, 1999, fax their name, title, firm name, address, and 
telephone number to Catherine M. DeRoever (fax number above).
    Those persons interested in presenting information at the public 
meeting should, by September 13, 1999, fax their name, title, firm 
name, address, telephone number, and an outline of their presentation 
to Catherine M. DeRoever (fax number above). Oral comments may be made 
during the open public comment period, Tuesday, September 21, 1999, 
between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Time allotted to each public commentator may 
be limited to 3 minutes with time being assigned on a first-come-first-
served basis.
    There is no registration fee for this public meeting, but advance 
registration is suggested. Interested persons are encouraged to 
register early because space may be limited.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This public meeting will provide an 
opportunity for an open discussion of the issues related to bare-hand 
contact of ready-to-eat foods in retail establishments. The committee 
will be asked to consider the risk of transmitting bacterial, viral, 
and parasitic pathogens from foodworkers, via ready-to-eat foods, to 
consumers, and the effectiveness of interventions.
    The sponsoring agencies encourage individuals with relevant 
scientific data or information (i.e., epidemiology and effectiveness of 
interventions to prevent or minimize risks associated with bare-hand 
contact of ready-to-eat foods) to present such information at the 
meeting or in written comments to this record.
    A transcript of the public meeting will be prepared. Copies of the 
transcript 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. 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: August 6, 1999.
 Margaret M. Dotzel,
 Acting Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 99-20992 Filed 8-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F