Document ID: FDA-2008-N-0038-0038
Agency: fda
Document Type: Notice
Title: Food Labeling Workshop; Public Workshop
Posted Date: 2008-06-03T04:00Z

[Federal Register: June 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 107)]
[Notices]               
[Page 31698-31699]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03jn08-51]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

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 ``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 August 12, 
2008, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on August 13, 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 email: david.arvelo@fda.hhs.gov.
    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 email: seideman@uark.edu.
    Registration: You are encouraged to register by July 29, 2008. The 
University of Arkansas requires a $150 registration fee to cover the 
cost of facilities, materials, and breaks. Seats are limited;

[[Page 31699]]

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.

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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. 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 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(f)), 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 also consistent 
with the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 
(Pub. L. 104-121), as an outreach activity by a government agency 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 regulations guidance. 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: May 27, 2008.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Associate Commissioner for Policy and Planning.
[FR Doc. E8-12301 Filed 6-2-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4160-01-S