13 August 1999
Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr-cont.html

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[Federal Register: August 13, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 156)]
[Notices]
[Page 44225-44226]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13au99-84]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 99N-0438]


Bare-Hand Contact of Ready-to-Eat Foods

AGENCY:  Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting; request for comments.

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SUMMARY:  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Food
Safety and Applied Nutrition, in conjunction with the National Advisory
Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (the committee), and in
cooperation with the Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture is announcing a public meeting to discuss
issues related to the contamination of ready-to-eat foods in retail
establishments. The sponsoring agencies invite comments on this issue
at the request of the Conference for Food Protection.

DATES:  The public meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 1999,
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Wednesday,

[[Page 44226]]

September 22, 1999, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration and written
notices of participation must be submitted by September 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at The Washington Plaza
Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle NW., at Massachusetts Ave. and 14th St.,
Washington, DC. Submit registration and written notices of
participation to Catherine M. DeRoever (address below). Submit written
comments to the Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug
Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Two
copies of any comments are to be submitted, except that individuals may
submit one copy. Comments are to be identified with the docket number
found in brackets in the heading of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine M. DeRoever, Advisory
Committee Office (HFS-22), Center for Food Safety and Applied
Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 200 C St. SW., Washington, DC
20204, 202-205-4251, FAX 202-205-4970, or e-mail
``cderoeve@bangate.fda.gov''.
    Those persons interested in attending the public meeting should, by
September 13, 1999, fax their name, title, firm name, address, and
telephone number to Catherine M. DeRoever (fax number above).
    Those persons interested in presenting information at the public
meeting should, by September 13, 1999, fax their name, title, firm
name, address, telephone number, and an outline of their presentation
to Catherine M. DeRoever (fax number above). Oral comments may be made
during the open public comment period, Tuesday, September 21, 1999,
between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Time allotted to each public commentator may
be limited to 3 minutes with time being assigned on a first-come-first-
served basis.
    There is no registration fee for this public meeting, but advance
registration is suggested. Interested persons are encouraged to
register early because space may be limited.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This public meeting will provide an
opportunity for an open discussion of the issues related to bare-hand
contact of ready-to-eat foods in retail establishments. The committee
will be asked to consider the risk of transmitting bacterial, viral,
and parasitic pathogens from foodworkers, via ready-to-eat foods, to
consumers, and the effectiveness of interventions.
    The sponsoring agencies encourage individuals with relevant
scientific data or information (i.e., epidemiology and effectiveness of
interventions to prevent or minimize risks associated with bare-hand
contact of ready-to-eat foods) to present such information at the
meeting or in written comments to this record.
    A transcript of the public meeting will be prepared. Copies of the
transcript may be requested in writing from 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
meeting. The transcript of the public meeting and submitted comments
will be available for public examination at the Dockets Management
Branch (address above) between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday.

    Dated: August 6, 1999.
 Margaret M. Dotzel,
 Acting Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 99-20992 Filed 8-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F
