The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is continuing its outreach to stakeholders to bring them up to speed on the new FDA Food Safety Modernization Act signed into law in January. The agency announced it will hold an all-day public meeting next Wednesday, April 20, to focus on the new preventive controls measures.

Those interested in participating can do so in person or via webcast by registering here.  FDA recommends registering early because capacity is limited.

Here are the details:    

When: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET, with registration open at 7:30 a.m.
 
Where:  FDA White Oak Campus, The Great Room, Building 31, Room 1503, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring MD 20993
  
Purpose:  To provide interested persons an opportunity to discuss implementation of the preventive controls for facilities provisions of the recently enacted FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). FDA is seeking information on preventive controls used by facilities to identify and address hazards associated with specific types of food and specific processes. The public will have an opportunity to provide information and share views that will inform the development of guidance and regulations on preventive controls for food facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold human food or animal food and feed (including pet food).
 
Who: FDA speakers include:

    * Michael Taylor, FDA, Deputy Commissioner for Foods
    * Murray Lumpkin, FDA, Deputy Commissioner for International Programs
    * Donald Kraemer, Chair, Implementation Team for Preventive Standards
    * Daniel McChesney, Chair, Implementation Team for Preventive Standards 

Breakout Sessions: Meeting participants will be able to attend three of five breakout sessions. Each small group breakout session will be 75 minutes.

    * Preventive Controls Guidance
    * On-Farm Manufacturing and Small Business
    * Product Testing and Environmental Monitoring; Training and Technical Assistance
    * Preventive Controls and the Relationship to cGMP 

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Photo of FDA inspectors in Los Angeles, courtesy the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.