[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 121 (Thursday, June 24, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35380-35381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14303]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. 1998N-0359]


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

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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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) 2005. 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 August 9, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments concerning this document to the 
Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 
5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Submit electronic 
comments to http://www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald J. Carrington, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-666), Food and Drug Administration, 
5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740, e-mail: 
[email protected], 301-436-1697.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On April 29, 2004, CFSAN released a document entitled ``FY 2004 
CFSAN Program Priorities.'' The document, a copy of which is available 
on CFSAN's Web site (www.cfsan.fda.gov) or from the contact person 
listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section), constitutes the 
Center's priority workplan for FY 2004 (i.e., October 1, 2003, through 
September 30, 2004). The FY 2004 workplan is based on input we received 
from our stakeholders (see 68 FR 33727, June 5, 2003), as well as input 
generated internally. The primary focus is: ``Where do we do the most 
good for consumers?''
    In addition to our continued emphasis on enhancing the security of 
the nation's food supply, the FY 2004 workplan continues to place a 
high priority on food safety, food additives, dietary supplements, and 
food biotechnology. It also reflects a commitment to revitalize and 
bolster our nutrition program and improve the health of the public by 
empowering people to make healthy choices in their daily diets. We also 
are working to ensure the information consumers receive is 
scientifically valid and easily understood.
    The FY 2004 workplan emphasizes eight additional program areas and 
cross-cutting areas: (1) Nutrition, health claims and labeling; (2) 
cosmetics; (3) enhancing the science base; (4) international 
activities; (5) enhancing

[[Page 35381]]

internal processes; (6) focused economic-based regulations; (7) equal 
employment opportunity/diversity initiatives; and (8) management 
initiatives.
    The format of the FY 2004 workplan was changed from previous years. 
It was formatted into the following four sections:
    (1) Assuring Food Safety and Security,
    (2) Improving Nutrition and Dietary Supplement Safety,
    (3) Assuring Food and Cosmetic Safety, and
    (4) Assuring Food Safety: Cross cutting Areas.
    Similar to previous years, the FY 2004 workplan contained two lists 
of activities--the ``A-list'' and the ``B-list''. Our goal is to fully 
complete at least 90 percent of the ``A-list'' activities by the end of 
the fiscal year, September 30, 2004. Activities on the ``B-list'' are 
those we plan to make progress on, but may not complete before the end 
of the fiscal year.
    CFSAN intends to issue a progress report on what program priority 
activities already have been completed to date in FY 2004, as well as 
any adjustments in the workplan (i.e., additions or deletions) for the 
balance of the fiscal year.
    The 2004 workplan primarily represents new or different initiatives 
identified for 2004, as well as priority initiatives that are being 
continued from the 2003 workplan. The workplan does not identify many 
important ongoing activities, such as CFSAN's base programs in data 
collection, research, and enforcement or the myriad of unanticipated 
issues that often require a substantial investment of CFSAN resources 
(e.g., response to outbreaks of foodborne illness).

II. 2005 CFSAN Program Priorities

    FDA is requesting comments on new program areas or activities that 
CFSAN should add as high priorities for FY 2005. The input will be used 
to develop CFSAN's workplan for FY 2005 (i.e., October 1, 2004, through 
September 30, 2005).
    The format of the 2005 workplan will be similar to last year's 
workplan. FDA expects there will be considerable continuity between the 
2004 and 2005 workplans. For example, initiatives aimed at increasing 
the security of our country's food supply will continue to be a high 
priority in FY 2005. FDA requests comments on other broad program areas 
that should continue to be a priority in FY 2005.
    FDA intends to make the FY 2005 workplan available in the fall of 
2004.

III. Comments

    Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management 
(see ADDRESSES) written or electronic comments regarding this document. 
Two paper copies of any comments are to be submitted, except that 
individuals may submit one paper 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 Division of Dockets 
Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

    Dated: June 2, 2004.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 04-14303 Filed 6-23-04; 8:45 am]
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