[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 22, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56770-56771]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21314]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration


Measuring the Effectiveness of the Nation's Foodservice and 
Retail Food Protection System; Notice of Public Meeting

AGENCY:  Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:  Notice; satellite downlink public meeting.

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SUMMARY:  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a public 
meeting (via satellite downlink) entitled ``Measuring the Effectiveness 
of the Nation's Foodservice and Retail Food Protection System.'' The 
purpose of the meeting is to discuss the report entitled ``FDA Report 
on the Occurrence of Foodborne Illness Risk Factors Within Selected 
Institutional Foodservice, Restaurant, and Retail Food Store Facility 
Types (2004)'' (the 2004 Report) and to provide information to the 
public to improve food preparation practices and food employee 
behaviors at institutional food service establishments, restaurants, 
and retail food stores. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal 
Register, FDA is announcing the availability of the 2004 Report.

DATES:  The satellite downlink public meeting will be held on 
Wednesday, October 13, 2004, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., eastern standard 
time.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be broadcast nationwide from FDA's 
broadcast studio at the Center for Devices and Radiological Health 
(HFZ-260), 16071-B Industrial Dr., Gaithersburg, MD. Satellite 
coordinates for the broadcast will be posted on FDA's Web site at 
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/ocer/dcm/html/program_calendar.html beginning 
September 15, 2004. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for locations where 
the satellite downlink may be viewed.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Lakesha Abbey, Center for Food Safety 
and Applied Nutrition (HFS-625), Food and Drug Administration, 5100 
Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740, 301-436-2440, FAX: 301-436-
2672, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    FDA advises other Federal agencies, State, local, and tribal 
governments on food safety standards for institutional food service 
establishments, restaurants, retail food stores, and other retail food 
establishments. In this advisory role, FDA works closely with these 
agencies to provide guidance and assistance that will enhance the 
regulatory programs of Federal, State, local, and tribal jurisdictions.
    The purpose of the 2004 Report is to present data on foodborne 
illness risk factors in institutional foodservice establishments, 
restaurants, and retail food stores. The results contained in the 2004 
Report provide insight into the effectiveness of current industry 
management systems and food safety regulatory programs in controlling

[[Page 56771]]

foodborne illness risk factors in retail and foodservice operations. 
Using the data from multiple collection periods, FDA hopes to evaluate 
trends and determine if progress is being made toward the goals of 
reducing the occurrence of foodborne illness risk factors.
    FDA will discuss the 2004 Report during the public meeting. The 
presentation will be available on FDA's Web site at http://www.fda.gov 
on the day of the satellite broadcast.

II. Registration

    Persons interested in attending the satellite downlink public 
meeting as a member of the studio audience should send their 
registration information (including name, title, business affiliation, 
address, and telephone and fax numbers) to the contact person (see FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Due to space limitations, we recommend 
that you register at least 5 days prior to the meeting. Seating 
capacity is limited to 75 persons. Registration will be accepted on a 
first-come-first-served basis. There is no registration fee for this 
public meeting, but early registration is encouraged because space is 
limited, and it will expedite entry into the building and its parking 
area. If you are interested in attending as a member of the studio 
audience and need any reasonable accommodations due to a disability, 
including a sign language interpreter, please contact Lakesha Abbey by 
October 6, 2003.

III. Sites for Viewing the Downlink Public Meeting

    The satellite broadcast can be received at any place that has 
access to a steerable C-ban satellite dish. Contact your state retail 
food protection office or local FDA office for locations where the 
satellite broadcast will be available.
    A videotape copy of the satellite broadcast may be available at the 
location where it was viewed or through the contact person listed in 
this document (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). You may also 
borrow a copy of the videotape through FDA's ORA-U Lending Library by 
sending your name and mailing address along with the name, title, and 
date of the broadcast to [email protected].

IV. Electronic Access

    The 2004 report will be available electronically on FDA's Web site 
at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/retrsk2.html.

    Dated: September 16, 2004.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 04-21314 Filed 9-17-04; 4:06 pm]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S