[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 24 (Monday, February 7, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6450-6451]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-2299]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration


University of Arkansas/Food and Drug Administration Food 
Labeling; Public Workshop

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of public workshops.

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

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Regulatory 
Affairs (ORA), Southwest Regional Small Business Representative Program 
(SWR SBR), in collaboration with The University of Arkansas (UA), is 
announcing a public workshop entitled ``UA/FDA Food Labeling 
Workshop.'' This public workshop is intended to provide information 
about FDA food labeling regulations and other related subjects to the 
regulated industry, particularly small businesses and startups.
    Date and Time: This public workshop will be held on April 5, 2005, 
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on April 6, 2005, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    Location: The public workshop will be held at the Continuing 
Education Center in Fayetteville, AR, located downtown (2 East Center 
St.).
    Contact: Steven C. Seideman, 2650 North Young Ave., Institute of 
Food Science & Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 
72704, 479-575-4221, FAX: 479-575-2165, or e-mail: [email protected].
    For information on accommodation options, contact Steven C. 
Seideman (see Contact).
    Registration: Registration by March 21, 2005, is encouraged. The 
University of Arkansas has a $75 registration fee to cover the cost of 
facilities, materials, speakers, and breaks. Seats are limited, please 
submit your registration as soon as possible. Course space will be 
filled in order of receipt of registration. Those accepted into the 
course will receive confirmation. Registration will close

[[Page 6451]]

after the course is filled. Registration at the site is not guaranteed 
but may be possible on a space available basis on the day of the public 
workshop beginning at 8 a.m. The cost of registration at the site is 
$80 payable to The University of Arkansas. If you need special 
accommodations due to a disability, please contact Steven C. Seideman 
(see Contact) at least 7 days in advance.
    Registration Form Instructions: To register, please complete the 
form below and submit along with a check or money order for $75 payable 
to the ``The University of Arkansas.'' Mail to: Institute of Food 
Science & Engineering, University of Arkansas, 2650 North Young Ave., 
Fayetteville, AR 72704.
Name: --------------------------------------------
Affiliation: ----------------------------------------
Mailing Address: ----------------------------------------
City: ---------------------------------------- State:---------- Zip 
Code: ----------------
Phone: ( ) --------------------------------
Fax: ( ) --------------------------------
E-mail: ( ) ----------------------------------
Special Accommodations Required: --------------------------------------
----------------------------------
    Transcripts: Transcripts of the public workshop will not be 
available due to the format of this workshop. Course handouts may be 
requested at cost through 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 public workshop at a 
cost of 10 cents per page.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FDA Southwest Regional Small Business 
Representative previously presented this workshop in Kansas City, MO on 
January 10 and 11, 2002 (66 FR 65976) and in Dallas, TX on April 14 and 
15, 2002 (67 FR 15211).
    This public workshop is being held in response to the large volume 
of food labeling inquiries from small food manufacturers and startups 
originating from the area covered by the FDA Denver District Office. 
The Southwest Regional Small Business Representative presents these 
workshops to help achieve objectives set forth in section 406 of the 
Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 (21 U.S.C. 393), 
which include working closely with stakeholders and maximizing the 
availability and clarity of information to stakeholders and the public. 
This is consistent with the purposes of the Small Business 
Representative Program, which are in part to respond to industry 
inquiries, develop educational materials, sponsor workshops and 
conferences to provide firms, particularly small businesses, with 
firsthand working knowledge of FDA's requirements and compliance 
policies. This workshop is also consistent with the Small Business 
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-121), as 
outreach activities by Government agencies to small businesses.
    The goal of this public workshop is to present information that 
will enable manufacturers and regulated industry to better comply with 
labeling requirements, especially in light of growing concerns about 
obesity and food allergens. Information presented will be based on 
agency position as articulated through regulation, compliance policy 
guides, and information previously made available to the public. Topics 
to be discussed at the workshop include: (1) Mandatory label elements, 
(2) nutrition labeling requirements, (3) health and nutrition claims, 
(4) FDA's allergen declaration policy, and (5) special labeling issues 
such as exemptions. FDA expects that participation in this public 
workshop will provide regulated industry with greater understanding of 
the regulatory and policy perspectives on food labeling and increase 
voluntary compliance.

    Dated: February 1, 2005.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 05-2299 Filed 2-4-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S