FDA PLANS 50-STATE MEETING ON FOOD SAFETY
News Date February 04, 2008
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach and Dr. David Acheson, associate commissioner for foods, announced during a conference call with the commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the state agriculture departments and state health agencies on January 31, that the agency plans to hold a 50-state meeting later this year, probably in August 2008. FDA is in the early planning stages for the meeting and no specifics have been announced at this time.
The meeting will revolve around the administration's Food Protection Plan and representatives from all FDA headquarters/regions/districts and states/locals will be involved. The August 2008 meeting will be similar to the 50 state meeting held in 1998 which had active NASDA participation. FDA hopes that this will be the first in a succession of regular 50-state meetings in the future. NASDA expressed support for the meeting during the initial conference call and offered to help assist as the planning gets underway. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)