[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 21 (Thursday, February 1, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4714-4715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1570]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration


University of Arkansas/Food and Drug Administration Food Labeling 
Workshop; 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 10, 2007, 
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on April 11, 2007, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    Location: The public workshop will be held at the Continuing 
Education Center, 2 East Center St., Fayetteville, AR (located 
downtown).
    Contact: David Arvelo, Small Business Representative, Food and Drug 
Administration, Southwest Regional Office, 4040 North Central 
Expressway, suite 900, Dallas, TX 75204, 214-253-4952, FAX: 214-253-
4970, or e-mail: [email protected].
    For information on accommodation options, 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].
    Registration: You are encouraged to register by March 23, 2007. 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.

          University of Arkansas/Food and Drug Administration Food Labeling Workshop Registration Form
Name:                                        ...................................................................
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Mailing Address:                             ...................................................................
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Special Accommodations Required:             ...................................................................
 
 
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    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. 6-30, Rockville, 
MD 20857, approximately 15 working days after the public workshop at a 
cost of 10 cents per page.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 
Dallas 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 (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

[[Page 4715]]

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: January 25, 2007.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. E7-1570 Filed 1-31-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S