The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s comprehensive plan to expand the technical, scientific and regulatory capacity of foreign governments and their respective food industries in countries that export foods to the United States will be discussed at a public meeting from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 19, 2012 at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel, 480 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, DC.

Known as the “capacity-building plan,” this process is being developed by the FDA pursuant to the Food Safety Modernization Act, or FSMA. The law gives FDA new tools to hold imported foods to the same standards as domestic foods.

The public will have an opportunity to provide information and share views that will inform FDA’s development of the plan.

Those who want to attend the International Capacity Building with Respect to Food Safety are encouraged to register on-line or contact: Courtney Treece, Planning Professionals, Ltd., 1210 W. McDermott, Suite 111, Allen, TX 75013, telephone: 704-258-4983, fax: 469-854-6992, e-mail: ctreece@planningprofessionals.com.

June 11 is the closing date for advance registration.

For general questions about the meeting or to request special accommodations due to a disability, contact: Juanita Yates, FDA, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, telephone: 240-402-1731, e-mail: juanita.yates@fda.hhs.gov.

For additional information on capacity building, see International Capacity Building under FSMA.

An estimated 15 percent of the U.S. food supply is imported, including 60 percent of fresh fruits and vegetables and 80 percent of seafood.