[Federal Register: January 7, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 4)]
[Notices]
[Page 1225]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07ja08-39]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 2007N-0487]
Meeting Being Planned to Obtain Public Input for Ensuring the
Safety of Pet Food
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS
ACTION: Notice of intent to schedule and hold public meeting.
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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing its
intention to schedule and hold a public meeting early in 2008 to obtain
input from stakeholder groups, including, but not limited to, the
Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), veterinary
medical associations, animal health organizations, and pet food
manufacturers for the development of ingredient, processing, and
labeling standards to ensure the safety of pet food. These standards
were mandated by the FDA Amendments Act of 2007 (FDAAA).
Date, Time, and Location: The date, time, and location for the 2008
public meeting will be announced in a subsequent notice that will be
published in the Federal Register a later date.
Addresses: A docket has been opened at FDA to receive any comments
in advance of the public meeting. 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 either http://www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments or http://www
.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walter Osborne, Center for Veterinary
Medicine (HFV-6), Food and Drug Administration, 7519 Standish Pl.,
Rockville, MD 20855, 240-276-9024, FAX: 240-276-9101, or e-mail:
walter.osborne@fda.hhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
FDAAA was signed into law by the President on September 27, 2007
(Public Law 110-085). Title X of the FDAAA includes several provisions
pertaining to food safety, including the safety of pet food. Sec.
1002(a)of the new law directs that, within 2 years, FDA is to issue new
regulations to establish ingredient standards and definitions,
processing standards, and updated standards for labeling to include
nutritional and ingredient information. This same provision of the law
also directs that, in developing these new regulations, FDA obtain
input from its stakeholders, including AAFCO, veterinary medical
associations, animal health organizations, and pet food manufacturers.
In order to obtain such input, FDA intends to hold a public meeting to
hear directly from interested stakeholders.
II. Public Meeting Details
Because FDA is mandated by Congress to establish the new pet food
requirements within 2 years of enactment of the FDAAA, it is imperative
that the agency begin the rulemaking process as soon as possible. To
that end, FDA intends to hold a public meeting in the greater
Rockville, MD area sometime within the first 3 months of 2008. After
the meeting, FDA will review all of the comments submitted to the
docket prior to initiating the regulation drafting process.
III. Comments
FDA will publish a subsequent notice in the Federal Register
announcing the details of the 2008 public meeting. However, anyone
wishing to submit general comments about the new law as it relates to
pet food safety or the planned public meeting may do so to the Division
of Dockets Management (see Addresses). Submit a single copy of
electronic comments or two paper copies of any written comments, except
that individuals may submit one paper copy. Comments should be
identified with the full title and the docket number found in brackets
in the heading of this document. Received comments will be available
for public examination in the Division of Dockets Management between 9
a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may also view received
comments on the FDA's Internet site at: http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets
.
Dated: December 27, 2007.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. E7-25599 Filed 1-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S