FDA Open Hearing, September 16, 2008

THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED COURTESY OF THE FDA.GOV WEBSITE:

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[Federal Register: August 8, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 154)]
[Notices]
[Page 46302-46307]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08au08-69]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2008-N-0429]

Food Labeling; Current Trends in the Use of Allergen Advisory Labeling: Its Use, Effectiveness, and Consumer Perception; Public Hearing; Request for Comments

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of public hearing; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a public hearing on the use of advisory labeling of allergens in foods. FDA is developing a long-term strategy to assist manufacturers in using allergen advisory labeling that is truthful and not misleading, conveys a clear and uniform message, and adequately informs food-allergic consumers and their caregivers. To that end, FDA is soliciting comments and information to assist the agency in determining how manufacturers currently use advisory labeling, how consumers interpret different advisory labeling statements, and what wording is likely to be most effective in communicating to consumers the likelihood that an allergen may be present in a food. The agency is also interested in receiving comments about whether consumers find advisory labeling helpful for making food purchasing decisions. This public hearing is the first step in closing existing knowledge gaps in developing our long-term strategy.

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DATES: The public hearing will be held on September 16, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The closing date for registration is September 8, 2008. See section V of this document for other dates associated with participation in the hearing. Submit written or electronic comments (i.e., submissions other than notices of participation and written material associated with an oral presentation) by January 14, 2009. The administrative record of the hearing will remain open until January 14, 2009.

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ADDRESSES: Public hearing. The public hearing will be held at the Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740-3835, (Metro stop: College Park on the Green Line).

Registration. Submit electronic notices of participation for the hearing to http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/register.html. We encourage you to use this method of registration, if possible. Submit written notices of participation by mail, fax, or e-mail to Isabelle Howes, U.S. Department of Agriculture Graduate School, 600 Maryland Ave., SW., suite 330, Washington, DC 20024-2520, FAX: 202-479-6801, or e-mail: Isabelle_Howes@grad.usda.gov. You may also submit oral notices of participation by phone to Isabelle Howes, U.S. Department of Agriculture Graduate School (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Written material associated with an oral presentation. Submit written material associated with an oral presentation by mail, fax, or e-mail to Isabelle Howes.

Comments. Submit written comments to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Submit electronic comments to http://www.regulations.gov. For additional information on submitting comments, see section VI in this document.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about registration or written material associated with an oral presentation, or to register orally: Isabelle Howes, 202-314-4713. For all other questions about the hearing or if you need parking or special accommodations due to a disability: Juanita Yates, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 301-436-1731, e-mail: Juanita.Yates@fda.hhs.gov.

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