FDA Announces FSMA Tour

By Ricardo Carvajal –

FDA announced that it will host a series of public meetings on the recently issued proposed rules on preventive controls for human food and standards for produce safety.  Fact sheets on the proposed rules are available here and here.  The first meeting will take place February 28 and March 1 in Washington, DC, to be followed by additional meetings in Chicago, IL, and Portland, OR (dates have yet to be announced). The purpose of the meetings is “to inform the public about the rulemaking process, including how to submit comments, data, and other information to the rulemaking docket; to respond to questions about the proposed rules; and to provide an opportunity for interested persons to make oral presentations.” 

Requests to present orally at the first meeting should be submitted by February 8, and oral presentations will be limited to three minutes.  The deadline for advance registration is February 20 (electronic registration is available here).  Given the level of interest in the rules, those who wish to attend the meeting are advised to register early.  For those who can’t attend, FDA will make a video recording of the meeting available on its website.