FDA Announces Meetings and Seeks Comments on Modernizing Current Good Manufacturing Practices for Food
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice and press release announcing that it will hold three public meetings this summer to receive input from stakeholders on the modernization of its current good manufacturing practices (CGMP) for food.
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The FDA last revised its CGMP for food (21 CFR Part 110) in 1986 and since that time, the food industry has undergone considerable change. The FDA believes it is now time to revisit these regulations and determine appropriate revisions to better ensure a safe and sanitary food supply.
FDA to Hold Meetings in College Park, MD; Chicago, IL; and Monterey, CA
According to the FDA, the following three public meetings on CGMP modernization have been scheduled (see FDA notice for registration instructions):
June 11, 2004 in College Park, MD
July 2, 2004 in Monterey, CA; and
July 21, 2004 in Chicago, IL
FDA Drafts Questions in Connection With Possible CGMP Revisions
The FDA's notice contains a list of questions to help focus comments presented at the public meetings or otherwise communicated to the agency. FDA explains that one area of particular focus is potential hazards in the food supply. The three categories of hazards that may be present during the production or warehousing of food are: physical hazards such as glass fragments; chemical hazards; and microbiological hazards.
The FDA asks that in responding to the questions contained in its notice, interested parties address, to the extent they are able, each of these three types of hazards. The FDA's questions include (partial list):
Which practices specified in current 21 CFR Part 110 are most effective at preventing each type of food hazard? Which practices are least effective at such prevention?
If the CGMP regulations were revised, which type or types of food hazards could be most readily prevented through CGMP-type controls?
What concepts or underlying principles should guide FDA's adoption of new preventive controls?
-written comments may be submitted until September 10, 2004
FDA Contact - Peter Vardon (301) 436-1830
FDA Press Release (P04-52, dated 05/06/04) available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2004/NEW01063.html
FDA notice (D/N 2004-N-0230, FR Pub 05/21/04) available at
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-11611.pdf