Document ID: FDA-2009-N-0664-0006
Agency: fda
Document Type: Notice
Title: Food Labeling Workshop; Public Workshop
Posted Date: 2009-02-10T05:00Z

[Federal Register: February 10, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 26)]
[Notices]
[Page 6641]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10fe09-84]

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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: 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 e-mail: seideman@uark.edu.
    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