[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 6641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-2811]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2009-N-0664]


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, is 
announcing a public workshop entitled ``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 21, 2009, 
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on April 22, 2009, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    Location: The public workshop will be held at the Continuing 
Education Center, Two 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 April 10, 2009. The 
University of Arkansas has a $250 registration fee to cover the cost of 
facilities, materials, 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 $350 payable to: 
``The University of Arkansas.'' If you need special accommodations due 
to a disability, please contact Steven C. Seideman (see Contact) at 
least 14 days in advance.
    Registration Instructions: To register, please submit your name, 
affiliation, mailing address, phone/fax number, and e-mail, along with 
a check or money order for $250 payable to the ``The University of 
Arkansas.'' Mail to: Institute of Food Science & Engineering, 
University of Arkansas, 2650 North Young Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72704.
    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 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 26, 2009.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Associate Commissioner for Policy and Planning.
[FR Doc. E9-2811 Filed 2-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S