[Federal Register: June 21, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 120)]
[Notices]               
[Page 42272-42273]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21jn02-78]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. 98N-0359]

 
Program Priorities in the Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition; Request for Comments

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requesting comments 
concerning the establishment of program priorities in the Center for 
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) for fiscal year (FY) 2003. As 
part of its annual planning, budgeting, and resource allocation 
process, CFSAN is reviewing its programs to set priorities and 
establish work product expectations. This notice is being published to 
give the public an opportunity to provide input into the priority-
setting process.

DATES: Submit written or electronic comments by August 20, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments concerning this document to the 
Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 
Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Submit electronic comments 
to http://www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments. Comments should be identified 
with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this 
document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald J. Carrington, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-666), Food and Drug Administration, 
5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740, e-mail: 
dcarring@cfsan.fda.gov, 301-436-1697.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On January 28, 2002, CFSAN released a document entitled ``2002 
CFSAN Program Priorities.'' The document, a copy of which is available 
on CFSAN's Web page (www.cfsan.fda.gov), constitutes CFSAN's priority 
workplan for fiscal year 2002, i.e., October 1, 2001, through September 
30, 2002. (See FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT for copies.) The 2002 
workplan is based on input we received from our stakeholders (see 66 FR 
37480, July 18, 2001), as well as input generated internally. 
Throughout the priority-setting process, we focused on one central 
question: ``Where do we do the most good for consumers?''
    In addition to adding a new emphasis on enhancing the security of 
the Nation's food supply, the FY 2002 workplan continues to place a 
high priority on food safety, food additives, dietary supplements, and 
food biotechnology. In this year's workplan, the Food Safety and 
Security section has been broadened by including additional food safety 
strategies: Food Allergens; Transmissible Spongioform Encephalopathies; 
and Chemical Contaminants, Pesticides and Other Hazards. Outside of 
these priorities, the workplan identifies eight other program areas and 
cross-cutting areas that need emphasis: (1) Nutrition, health claims 
and labeling; (2) cosmetics; (3) completing the move of CFSAN offices 
and laboratories to a new facility in College Park, MD; (4) enhancing 
the science base; (5) international activities; (6) enhancing internal 
processes; (7) focused economic-based regulations; and (8) management 
initiatives.
    The FY 2002 workplan contains two lists of activities--the ``A'' 
list and the ``B'' list. Our goal is to fully complete at least 90 
percent of the ``A'' list activities by the end of the fiscal year, 
September 30, 2002. Activities on the ``B'' list are those we plan to 
make progress on, but may not complete before the end of the fiscal 
year. Some activities on the ``B'' list are highlighted with an 
asterisk. These are the highest priority ``B'' list activities, most of 
which are 2-year projects that we are positioning to be on the ``A'' 
list the following year.
    CFSAN intends to issue a progress report on what program priority 
activities already have been completed to date in FY 2002, as well as 
any adjustments in the workplan (i.e., additions or deletions) for the 
balance of the fiscal year.
    CFSAN has responsibility for many important ongoing activities that 
are not identified in the workplan. For example, CFSAN's base programs 
in data collection, research, and enforcement are important and are 
ongoing. Rather, the workplan addresses primarily those initiatives 
representing something new or different that CFSAN needs to address in 
2002, as well as priority initiatives that are being continued from the 
2001 workplan. In addition, the workplan does not address the myriad of 
unanticipated issues that often require a substantial investment of 
CFSAN resources (e.g., response to outbreaks of foodborne illness).

II. 2003 CFSAN Program Priorities

    FDA is requesting comments concerning the establishment of program 
priorities in CFSAN for FY 2003. The input will be used to develop 
CFSAN's 2003 workplan. The workplan will set forth CFSAN's program 
priorities for October 1, 2002, through September 30, 2003. FDA intends 
to make the 2003 workplan available in the fall of 2002.
    The format of the 2002 workplan will be similar to last year's 
workplan. FDA expects there will be considerable continuity and follow-
through between the 2002 and 2003 workplans. For example, new 
initiatives aimed at increasing the security of our country's food 
supply will continue to be a high priority in FY 2003. Moreover, a 
number of goals inherently require a multiyear effort. For example, in 
2003, progress will continue towards development of a centralized 
adverse event reporting system. FDA requests comments on other broad 
program areas that should continue to be a priority in FY 2003, or new 
areas that need to be initiated.
    In addition, as noted, the 2002 workplan highlights certain ``B'' 
list activities with an asterisk. Many of these are 2-year projects 
that we are positioning to be candidates for the ``A'' list next year. 
FDA requests comments on which ``B*'' and regular ``B'' list activities 
(i.e., those not designated with an asterisk) should be elevated to the 
``A'' list for completion in 2003. Finally, as noted, FDA requests 
comments on new program areas or activities that should be added as a 
high priority for FY 2003.
    Interested persons may submit to the Dockets Management Branch (see 
ADDRESSES) written comments regarding this notice by August 20, 2002. 
Two copies of any comments are to be submitted, except that individuals 
may submit one copy. Comments are to be identified with the docket 
number found in brackets in the heading of this document. Received 
comments may be seen in the office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday 
through Friday.


[[Page 42273]]


    Dated: June 17, 2002.
Margaret M. Dotzel,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 02-15778 Filed 6-18-02; 4:55 pm]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S