[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 4, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 349-350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-8225]


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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 workshop.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Regulatory 
Affairs, Southwest Regional Small Business Representative (SWR SBR) 
Program, 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, 2006, 
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on April 6, 2006, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    Location: The public workshop will be held at the Continuing 
Education Center, 2 East Center St., Fayetteville, AR (located 
downtown).
    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: You are encouraged to register by March 21, 2006. The 
University of Arkansas has a $150 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 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 $200 
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 
following form and submit along with a check or money order for $150 
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 SWR SBR previously presented this 
workshop in Fayetteville, AR, on April 5 and 6, 2005 (70 FR 6450, 
February 7, 2005).
    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 SWR SBR 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 SBR 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 (Pub. L. 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

[[Page 350]]

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) the Food Allergen 
Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, 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: December 27, 2005.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. E5-8225 Filed 1-3-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S