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Date: Monday, December 1, 1997 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION,Print Media:202­205­4144, 
Broadcast Media:301­827­3434, Consumer Inquires: 800­532­4440

HHS, USDA Will Convene Grassroots Meetings on Food Safety

The Department of Health and Human Service's Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are holding a series of six grassroots public meetings around the country during the first two weeks of December to discuss steps to minimize risks of food­borne illness from pathogens on fruits and vegetables.

Michael A. Friedman, M.D., lead deputy commissioner of FDA, said the series of meetings is being held as part of President Clinton's initiative announced Oct. 2 to increase the safety of domestic and imported produce.

In his announcement, President Clinton directed Executive Branch food­safety agencies to take several steps to increase the safety of fruits and vegetables, including the development of guidance on appropriate growing and processing practices to guard against microbial contamination.

"Our series of grassroots public meetings is being convened to ensure appropriate public and industry input in the process of developing this guidance," Friedman said. "We encourage members

of the public, consumer groups, agricultural producers and processors to attend."

In addition, on Dec. 8, a seventh meeting will be held in Washington specifically to address international aspects of the President's initiative on produce safety.

Copies of the draft "Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Risks for Fruits and Vegetables" will be made available for review and discussion at each of the meetings. Government officials will make presentations on key elements of the guidance. FDA expects to formally publish a draft for public comment early in 1998, and issue final guidance later in the year.

Specific topics addressed in the guidance include pathogen risks and controls associated with water, manure management, worker health and sanitation, field and facility sanitation, and transportation and handling of commodities.

The meetings will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. local times on the following dates at the locations listed: Dec. 1, Grand Rapids, Mich., Amway Grand Hotel, Pearl and Monroe Streets; Dec. 3, Geneva, N.Y., New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, 630 W. North Street; Dec. 5, West palm Beach, Fla., Clayton Hutchinson Agricultural Center, 559 N. Military Trail; Dec. 8, San Antonio, Texas, Heltoes 4­H Center, 12132 Leslie Road; Dec. 10, Salinas, Calif., Salinas Community Center, 490 N. Main Street; and Dec. 12, Clakamas (near Portland), Ore., Monarch Hotel, 12566 S.E. 93rd Ave. The Dec. 8 meeting in Washington on international aspects will be held at the Department of Health and Human Services, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 2nd Street and Independence Ave., S.W.

Note: HHS press releases are available on the World Wide Web at: www.dhhs.gov.