[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 97 (Friday, May 20, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29328-29329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10033]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. 1998N-0359 (formerly 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; 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) 2006. 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 July 19, 2005.

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

[[Page 29329]]

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, 301-436-1697, or e-
mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On December 1, 2004, CFSAN released a document entitled ``FY 2005 
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 2005 (i.e., October 1, 2004, through 
September 30, 2005). The FY 2005 workplan is based on input we received 
from our stakeholders (see 69 FR 35380, June 24, 2004), as well as 
input generated internally. The primary focus is: ``Where do we do the 
most good for consumers?''
    The FY 2005 workplan contained three lists of activities, as 
follows: The ``A-list,'' the ``B-list,'' and a ``Priority Ongoing 
Activities'' list. Our goal is to complete fully at least 90 percent of 
the ``A-list'' activities by the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 
2005. Activities on the ``B-list'' are those we plan to make progress 
on, but may not complete before the end of the fiscal year. Items in 
the ``Priority Ongoing Activities'' list illustrate some of the many 
priority activities the Center performs on a regular basis in addition 
to those identified on our ``A'' and ``B'' lists.
    CFSAN intends to issue a progress report on what program priority 
activities already have been completed to date in the summer of FY 
2005, as well as any adjustments in the workplan (i.e., additions or 
deletions) for the balance of the fiscal year.

II. 2006 CFSAN Program Priorities

    FDA is requesting comments on what program priorities CFSAN should 
consider establishing for FY 2006. The input will be used to develop 
CFSAN's FY 2006 workplan. The workplan will set forth the Center's 
program priorities for the period of October 1, 2005, through September 
30, 2006. FDA intends to make the FY 2006 workplan available in the 
fall of 2005.
    The format of the FY 2006 workplan will be identical to the FY 2005 
plan, and it will be formatted into the following five sections:
    (1) Ensuring Food Defense and Security,
    (2) Improving Nutrition and Dietary Supplement Safety,
    (3) Ensuring Food/Color Additives and Cosmetic Safety,
    (4) Ensuring Food Safety: Crosscutting Areas, and
    (5) Priority Ongoing Activities.
    FDA expects there will be considerable continuity and followthrough 
between the 2005 and 2006 workplans. For example, initiatives aimed at 
increasing the security of our country's food supply will continue to 
be a high priority in FY 2006. FDA requests comments on other broad 
program areas that should continue to be a priority, as well as new 
program areas or activities that should be added as a high priority, 
for FY 2006.

III. Comments

    Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management 
(see ADDRESSES) written or electronic comments regarding this document. 
Submit a single copy of electronic comments or two paper copies of any 
mailed comments, 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: May 12, 2005.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 05-10033 Filed 5-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S