[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63305-63308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26371]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2011-N-0400]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2011-0014]


Approaches To Reducing Sodium Consumption; Public Meeting

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS; Food Safety and Inspection 
Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food Safety and Inspection 
Service (FSIS), the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Center 
for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) are announcing a public 
meeting entitled ``Approaches to Reducing Sodium Consumption.'' FDA and 
FSIS recently published a Federal Register notice that announced the 
establishment of dockets to obtain comments, data, and evidence 
relevant to the dietary intake of sodium as well as current and 
emerging approaches designed to promote sodium reduction. The purpose 
of the public meeting is to provide interested persons an opportunity 
to

[[Page 63306]]

discuss the topics raised in the earlier notice.

DATES: Submit either electronic or written comments, data, and evidence 
to either FDA's Division of Dockets Management or FSIS's Docket Clerk 
by November 29, 2011. See also ``How To Participate in the Meeting'' in 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document.

ADDRESSES: See Table 1 of this document for meeting location and other 
information regarding registration for this meeting.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
FDA: Patricia M. Kuntze, Office of External Affairs, Food and Drug 
Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 32, Rm. 5322, Silver 
Spring, MD 20993, 301-796-8641, [email protected].
FSIS: Rosalyn Murphy-Jenkins, Director, Labeling and Program Delivery 
Division, Office of Policy and Program Development, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, FSIS, OPPD, 
LPDD Stop Code 3784, Patriots Plaza III, 8-161A, 1400 Independence 
Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-3700.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    In the Federal Register of September 15, 2011 (76 FR 57050), FDA 
and FSIS announced the establishment of dockets to obtain comments, 
data, and evidence that will inform future Agency activities regarding 
the reduction of dietary intake of sodium. FDA, CDC, FSIS, ARS, and 
CNPP are announcing a public meeting entitled ``Approaches to Reducing 
Sodium Consumption'' to discuss the topics raised in section II of that 
notice. Interested persons may also wish to review the FDA's Sodium 
Reduction Web page located at http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/ucm253316.htm.
    Reducing sodium consumption is also part of the Department of 
Health and Human Services' (the Department's) recently-launched Million 
Hearts initiative (http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/). The Department, 
working with several key initial partners, is aiming to prevent one 
million heart attacks and strokes over the next 5 years. Among other 
significant public health goals, the campaign stresses the need to 
identify opportunities for sodium reduction.

II. Purpose and Format of the Meeting

    If you wish to attend and/or present at the meeting scheduled for 
November 10, 2011, please register at http://events.SignUp4.net/FDA_Sodium_Reduction by November 3, 2011. FDA, CDC, FSIS, ARS, and CNPP 
are holding the public meeting on sodium reduction in foods to inform 
possible future actions by the Agencies. In general, the meeting format 
will include introductory presentations by FDA, USDA, and CDC, but 
listening to interested persons is the primary purpose of this meeting. 
In order to meet this goal, FDA, CDC, FSIS, ARS and CNPP will provide 
multiple opportunities for individuals to express their opinions 
through oral presentations at the meeting, participation in break-out 
sessions on the issues discussed at the meeting, and submission of 
electronic or written comments, data, and evidence to FDA's Division of 
Dockets Management and/or FSIS's Docket Clerk by November 29, 2011. The 
break-out session topics will be available prior to the meeting on 
FDA's Sodium Reduction Web page at http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/ucm253316.htm. The plenary sessions and some 
of the breakout sessions will be Web cast; see section III of this 
document, ``How to Participate in the Meeting.'' In order to provide 
Web cast participants with information before and after the meeting, we 
request attendees provide their name, their affiliation, and e-mail 
address when pre-registering for the Web cast at http://events.SignUp4.net/FDA_Sodium_Reduction.

III. How To Participate in the Meeting

    Interested persons will have an opportunity to provide oral 
comments, time permitting. Due to limited space and time, FDA, CDC, 
FSIS, ARS, and CNPP encourage all persons who wish to attend the 
meeting onsite or via Web cast to register in advance at  http://events.SignUp4.net/FDA_Sodium_Reduction. There is no fee to register 
for the public meeting, and registration will be on a first-come, 
first-served basis. Early registration is recommended because seating 
is limited. Onsite registration will be accepted, as space permits, 
after all preregistered attendees are seated. Table 1 of this document 
provides information on participating in the meeting and on submitting 
comments to the docket.
    Those requesting an opportunity to make an oral presentation during 
the time allotted for public comment at the meeting, are asked to 
submit their request by November 3, 2011, and to provide the specific 
topic or issue to be addressed and the approximate desired length of 
their presentation. Depending on the number of requests for such oral 
presentations, there may be a need to limit the number and length 
(e.g., 3 minutes each) of the oral presentations. If time permits, 
individuals or organizations that did not register in advance may be 
granted the opportunity for such an oral presentation. FDA, CDC, FSIS, 
ARS, and CNPP would like to maximize the number of individuals who make 
a presentation at the meeting and will do our best to accommodate all 
persons who wish to make a presentation or express their opinions at 
the meeting. We are especially interested in hearing about sodium 
reduction related research results or research efforts underway. FDA, 
CDC, FSIS, ARS, and CNPP anticipate that there will be several 
opportunities for interested persons to speak in break-out sessions. A 
Web cast will be available for interested persons who are not onsite. 
Interested persons will also have an opportunity to submit electronic 
or written comments to the docket following the meeting, but no later 
than November 29, 2011.
    FDA, CDC, FSIS, ARS, and CNPP encourage persons and groups who have 
similar interests to consolidate their information for presentation 
through a single representative. After reviewing the presentation 
requests, FDA will notify each participant before the meeting of the 
amount of time available, the approximate time their presentation is 
scheduled to begin, and the presentation format.

                 Table 1--Information on Participation in the Meeting and on Submitting Comments
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             Address (non
                                         Date         Electronic address      electronic)      Other information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date of Public Meeting..........  November 10, 2011,  Individuals who     FDA White Oak       Registration
                                   from 9 a.m. to      wish to             Campus, The Great   begins at 7:30
                                   5:30 p.m. EST.      participate in      Room, Bldg. 31,     a.m.
                                                       person are asked    Rm. 1503, 10903
                                                       to pre-register     New Hampshire
                                                       at http://          Ave., Silver
                                                       events.SignUp4.ne   Spring, MD 20993.
                                                       t/FDA--Sodium--
                                                       Reduction.

[[Page 63307]]

 
Web cast........................  November 10, 2011,  Individuals who     FDA encourages the  The Web cast will
                                   from 9 a.m. to      wish to view the    use of electronic   provide closed
                                   5:30 p.m. EST).     Web cast of this    registration, if    captioning.
                                                       meeting are         possible.
                                                       requested to pre-
                                                       register at
                                                       http://events.SignUp4.net/FDA_Sodium_Reduction Reduction. It is
                                                       recommended that
                                                       Web cast
                                                       attendees test
                                                       their Internet
                                                       connection to
                                                       confirm access to
                                                       the Web cast
                                                       prior to the
                                                       meeting. To test
                                                       this connection,
                                                       visit http://fda.yorkcast.com/webcast/Catalog/catalogs/default.aspx and
                                                       click on ``CDRH
                                                       Television
                                                       Tutorial and
                                                       Firewall Test.''.
Advance Registration............  Register by         http://             FDA encourages the  Registration to
                                   November 3, 2011.   events.SignUp4.ne   use of electronic   attend the
                                                       t/FDA--Sodium--     registration, if    meeting will also
                                                       Reduction.          possible.           be accepted
                                                                                               onsite on the day
                                                                                               of the meeting,
                                                                                               as space permits.
                                                                                               Registration
                                                                                               information may
                                                                                               be posted without
                                                                                               change to http://www.regulations.gov ov, including any
                                                                                               personal
                                                                                               information
                                                                                               provided.
Request special accommodations    Register by         ..................  Patricia M.
 due to disability.                November 3, 2011.                       Kuntze, 301-796-
                                                                           8641, e-mail:
                                                                           [email protected].
Make a request for oral           Register by         http://             ..................  Requests made on
 presentation.                     November 3, 2011.   events.SignUp4.ne                       the day of the
                                                       t/FDA--Sodium--                         meeting to make
                                                       Reduction.                              an oral
                                                                                               presentation may
                                                                                               be granted as
                                                                                               time permits.
                                                                                               Information on
                                                                                               requests to make
                                                                                               an oral
                                                                                               presentation may
                                                                                               be posted without
                                                                                               change to http://www.regulations.gov ov, including any
                                                                                               personal
                                                                                               information
                                                                                               provided.
Provide a brief description of    By November 3,      http://             ..................  Written material
 the oral presentation and any     2011.               events.SignUp4.ne                       associated with
 written material for the                              t/FDA--Sodium--                         an oral
 presentation.                                         Reduction.                              presentation
                                                                                               should be
                                                                                               submitted in
                                                                                               Microsoft
                                                                                               PowerPoint,
                                                                                               Microsoft Word,
                                                                                               or Adobe Portable
                                                                                               Document Format
                                                                                               (PDF) and may be
                                                                                               posted without
                                                                                               change to http://www.regulations.gov ov, including any
                                                                                               personal
                                                                                               information
                                                                                               provided.

[[Page 63308]]

 
Submit electronic or written      Submit comments by  Federal             FDA: FAX: 301-827-  All comments must
 comments.                         November 29, 2011.  eRulemaking         6870. Mail/Hand     include the
                                                       Portal: http://     delivery/Courier    Agency name and
                                                       www.regulations.g   (for paper, disk,   the docket number
                                                       ov. Follow the      or CD-ROM           (see table 2 of
                                                       instructions for    submissions):       this document for
                                                       submitting          Division of         a list of
                                                       comments.           Dockets             Agencies and
                                                                           Management (HFA-    corresponding
                                                                           305), Food and      docket numbers).
                                                                           Drug                All received
                                                                           Administration,     comments may be
                                                                           5630 Fishers        posted without
                                                                           Lane, rm. 1061,     change to http://
                                                                           Rockville, MD       www.regulations.g
                                                                           20852.              ov, including any
                                                                          FSIS: Docket         personal
                                                                           Clerk, U.S.         information
                                                                           Department of       provided. FDA and
                                                                           Agriculture, Food   FSIS encourage
                                                                           Safety and          the submission of
                                                                           Inspection          electronic
                                                                           Service, George     comments by using
                                                                           Washington Carver   the Federal
                                                                           Center, 5601        eRulemaking
                                                                           Sunnyside Ave.,     Portal. For
                                                                           Mailstop 547,       additional
                                                                           Beltsville, MD      information on
                                                                           20705-5464.         submitting
                                                                                               comments, see the
                                                                                               ``Comments''
                                                                                               heading of the
                                                                                               SUPPLEMENTARY
                                                                                               INFORMATION
                                                                                               section of this
                                                                                               document.
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Comments

    FDA: Regardless of attendance at the public meeting, interested 
persons may submit to FDA's Division of Dockets Management (see 
Addresses in table 1 of this document) either electronic or written 
comments for consideration at or after the meeting, in addition to, or 
in place of, a request for an opportunity to make an oral presentation. 
It is only necessary to send one set of comments. It is no longer 
necessary to send two copies of mailed comments. Identify comments with 
the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document. 
Received comments may be seen in the Division of Dockets Management 
between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
    FSIS: Regardless of attendance at the public meeting, interested 
persons may submit to FSIS's Docket Clerk (see Addresses in table 1 of 
this document) either electronic or written comments regarding this 
document. Identify comments with the docket number found in brackets in 
the heading of this document. Received comments may be seen in the FSIS 
Docket Room between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
    Because two docket numbers are associated with this document, 
please include with your comments the docket number that corresponds 
with the appropriate Agency. Comments submitted for inclusion in both 
dockets should be separately submitted to each identified docket number 
to ensure consideration by both Agencies.

V. Transcripts

    Please be advised that as soon as a transcript is available, it 
will be posted on FDA's Sodium Reduction Web page at http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/ucm253316.htm. It may also be 
viewed at the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug 
Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. A 
transcript will also be available in either hardcopy or on CD-ROM, 
after submission of a Freedom of Information request. Written requests 
are to be sent to Division of Freedom of Information (ELEM-1029), Food 
and Drug Administration, 12420 Parklawn Dr., Element Bldg., Rockville, 
MD 20857.

    Dated: October 6, 2011.
Leslie Kux,
Acting Assistant Commissioner for Policy, Food and Drug Administration.
    Dated: October 4, 2011.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-26371 Filed 10-11-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-P