[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 18, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37480-37481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17919]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. 98N-0359]


Program Priorities in the Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition; Request for Comments

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requesting comments 
concerning the establishment of program priorities in the Center for 
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) for fiscal year (FY) 2002. As 
part of its annual planning, budgeting, and resource allocation 
process, CFSAN is reviewing its programs to set priorities and 
establish work product expectations. This notice is being published to 
give the public an opportunity to provide input into the priority-
setting process.

DATES: Submit written or electronic comments by September 17, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments concerning this document to the 
Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 
Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Submit electronic comments 
to http://www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments. Comments should be identified 
with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this 
document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald J. Carrington, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-666), Food and Drug Administration, 
200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-260-5290, e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On January 9, 2001, CFSAN released a document entitled ``2001 CFSAN 
Program Priorities.'' The document, a copy of which is available on 
CFSAN's Web page (www.cfsan.fda.gov), constitutes the Center's priority 
workplan for FY 2001, i.e., October 1, 2000, through September 30, 
2001. (Copies are also available from the contact person listed above.) 
The 2001 workplan is based on input we received from our stakeholders 
(see 65 FR 39415, June 26, 2000), as well as input generated 
internally. Throughout the priority-setting process, we focused on one 
central question: ``Where do we do the most good for consumers?''
    The paramount theme for the FY 2001 workplan has been program 
continuity. We continue to place our highest emphasis on the food 
safety initiative, food additives, dietary supplements,

[[Page 37481]]

and food biotechnology. Outside of these priorities, the workplan 
identifies 10 other program areas and cross-cutting areas that need 
emphasis: (1) Nutrition, health claims and labeling; (2) chemical 
contaminants, pesticides and other hazards; (3) cosmetics; (4) 
preparing to move CFSAN offices and laboratories to a new facility in 
College Park, MD; (5) enhancing the science base; (6) international 
activities; (7) emerging areas (e.g., food allergens); (8) enhancing 
regulatory processes; (9) focused economic-based regulations; and (10) 
management initiatives.
    The FY 2001 workplan contains two lists of activities in most major 
sections of the document--the ``A'' list and the ``B'' list. Our goal 
is to fully complete at least 90 percent of the ``A'' list activities. 
Activities on the ``B'' list are those we plan to make progress on, but 
may not complete before the end of the fiscal year. A new feature of 
the FY 2001 workplan has been ``B'' list items with an asterisk. These 
are the highest priority ``B'' list activities, most of which are 2-
year projects that we are positioning to be on the ``A'' list the 
following year.
    CFSAN intends to issue a progress report shortly on what program 
priority activities already have been completed to date in FY 2001.
    CFSAN has responsibility for many important ongoing activities that 
are not identified in the workplan. For example, the Center's base 
programs in data collection, research, and enforcement are important 
and are ongoing. Rather, the workplan addresses primarily those 
initiatives representing something new or different that we need to 
address in 2001, as well as priority initiatives that are being 
continued from the 2000 workplan. In addition, the workplan does not 
address the myriad of unanticipated issues that often require a 
substantial investment of CFSAN resources (e.g., response to outbreaks 
of foodborne illness).

II. 2002 CFSAN Program Priorities

    FDA is requesting comments concerning the establishment of program 
priorities in CFSAN for FY 2002. The input will be used to develop 
CFSAN's 2002 workplan. The workplan will set forth the Center's program 
priorities for October 1, 2001, through September 30, 2002. FDA intends 
to make the 2002 workplan available in the fall of 2001.
    The format of the 2002 workplan will be similar to last year's 
workplan. FDA expects there will be considerable continuity and follow-
through between the 2001 and 2002 workplans. For example, major 
documents published in early 2001 for public comment (e.g., 
biotechnology proposal; draft Listeria risk assessment) would likely be 
high priority for completion of final documents in FY 2002. Moreover, a 
number of goals inherently require a multi-year effort. For example, 
the Food Allergen Compliance Policy Guide issued in 2001 will need 
inspectional followup in 2002. FDA requests comments on other broad 
program areas that should continue to be a priority in FY 2002, or new 
areas that need to be initiated.
    In addition, as noted above, the 2001 workplan highlights certain 
``B'' list activities with an asterisk. Many of these are 2-year 
projects that we are positioning to be candidates for the ``A'' list 
next year. FDA requests comments on which ``*B'' and regular ``B'' list 
activities (i.e., those not designated with an asterisk) should be 
elevated to the ``A'' list for completion in 2002. Finally, as noted, 
FDA requests comments on new program areas or activities that should be 
added as a high priority for FY 2002.
    Interested persons may submit to the Dockets Management Branch 
(address above) written or electronic comments regarding this notice by 
September 17, 2001. 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. Received comments may be seen in the office between 9 
a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

    Dated: July 11, 2001.
Margaret M. Dotzel,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 01-17919 Filed 7-17-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S