
[Federal Register: May 27, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 102)]
[Notices]               
[Page 29775-29776]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27my10-80]                         

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

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

Food and Drug Administration

 
Food Labeling Workshop; Public Workshop

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of public workshop.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 4 and 5, 
2010, from 8 a.m. to 5 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, 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, visit http://
www.uark.edu/ua/foodpro/Workshops/Food_Labeling_Workshop.html or 
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 July 21, 2010. UA 
has a $250 registration fee to cover the cost of facilities, materials, 
and breaks. There is no registration fee for FDA employees. Seats are 
limited; please submit your registration as soon as possible. Course 
space will be filled in the 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 Form Instructions: To register online, please visit 
http://www.uark.edu/ua/foodpro/Workshops/Food_Labeling_Workshop.html 
or submit your full name, business or organization name, complete 
mailing address, telephone number, e-mail address, optional fax number, 
and any special accommodations required due to a disability, 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 
obtained 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 (HFI-35), Office of Management Programs, Food 
and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, rm. 6-30, Rockville, MD 
20857.

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 
Dallas

[[Page 29776]]

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. 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) 
voluntary health and nutrient content claims and (5) special labeling 
issues such as exemptions and current topics on food labeling and 
nutrition. 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 21, 2010.
Leslie Kux,
Acting Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2010-12740 Filed 5-26-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S

