[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 230 (Wednesday, December 1, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74736-74737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-30191]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2010-N-0001]


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 Iowa State University, 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 March 3 and 4, 
2011, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Location: The public workshop will be held at the Scheman 
Conference Center, Lincoln Way and University Avenue, Iowa State 
Center, Ames, IA.
    Contact: 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 email: 
[email protected].
    For information on accommodation options, visit http://www.fshn.hs.iastate.edu/foodlabel/register.php or contact Dr. Ruth 
MacDonald, 2312 Food Sciences Building, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 
50011, 515-294-5991, FAX: 515-294-8181, email: [email protected].
    Registration: You are encouraged to register by February 21, 2011. 
The workshop has a $250 registration fee to cover the cost of 
facilities, materials, lunch on day 1, and breaks. There is no 
registration fee for FDA employees. Seats are limited; please submit 
your registration as soon as possible. Workshop space will be filled in 
order of receipt of registration. Those accepted into the workshop will 
receive confirmation. Registration will close after the workshop 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: 
``Iowa State University.'' If you need special accommodations due to a 
disability, please contact Dr. Ruth MacDonald (see Contact) at least 14 
days in advance.
    Registration Form Instructions: To register, please complete the 
online registration form at http://www.fshn.hs.iastate.edu/foodlabel/register.php, or submit your full name, business or organization name, 
complete mailing address, telephone number, email address, optional fax 
number, and any special accommodations required due to disability, 
along with a check or money order for $250 payable to ``Iowa State 
University.'' Mail to: Dr. Ruth MacDonald, Food Science and Human 
Nutrition, 2312 Food Sciences Building, Ames, IA 50011.
    Transcripts: Transcripts of the public workshop will not be 
available due to the format of this workshop. Requests for workshop 
handouts may be obtained through David Arvelo (see Contact).

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 FDA's 
Kansas City 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, and 
sponsor workshops and conferences to provide firms, particularly small 
businesses, with firsthand working knowledge of FDA's requirements and 
compliance policies. This workshop is

[[Page 74737]]

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 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. This 
is a hands-on workshop. Topics to be discussed at the workshop include: 
(1) Mandatory label elements, (2) nutrition labeling requirements, (3) 
the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, (4) 
health and nutrient content claims, (5) special labeling issues such as 
exemptions, and (6) current topics on food labeling and nutrition. FDA 
expects that participation in this public workshop will provide 
regulated industry with greater understanding of the Agency's 
regulatory and policy perspectives on food labeling and increase 
voluntary compliance with labeling requirements.

    Dated: November 24, 2010.
Leslie Kux,
Acting Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2010-30191 Filed 11-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-P