[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6641-6642]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-2814]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

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


Food Protection; Public Workshop

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS

ACTION: Notice of public workshop

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    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Regulatory 
Affairs (ORA), Southwest Regional Office (SWRO), in co-sponsorship with 
the University of Arkansas Institute of Food

[[Page 6642]]

Science and Engineering (IFSE), is announcing a public workshop 
entitled ``Food Protection Workshop.'' This public workshop is intended 
to provide information about food safety, food defense, the regulations 
authorized by the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness 
and Response Act of 2002 (the Bioterrorism Act), and other subjects 
related to the Food Protection Plan as it relates to food facilities 
such as farms, manufacturers, processors, distributors, retailers, and 
restaurants.
    Date and Time: This public workshop will be held on May 19 and 20, 
2009, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Location: The public workshop will be held at the Continuing 
Education Center, Two East Center St., Fayetteville, AR (located 
downtown).
    Contact Person: Regarding information on accommodation options: 
Steven C. Seideman, 2650 North Young Ave., Institute of Food Science 
and Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72704, 479-
575-4221, FAX: 479-575-2165, or email: [email protected].
    Regarding this document and all other information: David Arvelo, 
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].
    Registration: You are encouraged to register by May 8, 2009. The 
University of Arkansas has a $250 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 it 
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 Person) at least 14 days in advance.
    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 University of Arkansas. Mail to: Institute of Food 
Science and 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. Workshop 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: This public workshop is being held in 
response to the large volume of food protection concerns from food 
facilities, such as farms, manufacturers, processors, distributors, 
retailers, and restaurants, originating from the area covered by the 
FDA Dallas District Office. The Southwest Regional Office presents this 
workshop 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 guidance, 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 food facilities (such as farms, manufacturers, processors, 
distributors, retailers, and restaurants) to better comply with the 
regulations authorized by the Bioterrorism Act, and with food 
protection guidance, especially in light of growing concerns about food 
safety and defense. Information presented will be based on agency 
position as articulated through regulation, guidance, and information 
previously made available to the public. Topics to be discussed at the 
workshop include: (1) Food Defense Awareness, (2) ALERT: The Basics, 
(3) Employees FIRST, (4) FDA Actions on Bioterrorism Legislation (Food 
Supply), (5) CARVER+Shock Software Tool, (6) Food Recalls, (7) Crisis 
Management, (8) Food Protection Technologies and Methodologies, and 
other related topics. FDA expects that participation in this public 
workshop will provide regulated industry with greater understanding of 
the regulatory and guidance perspectives on food protection and 
increase voluntary compliance and food defense awareness.

    Dated: January 26, 2009.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Associate Commissioner for Policy and Planning.
[FR Doc. E9-2814 Filed 2-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S