On April 24, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will convene a one-day virtual public meeting focused on "Data and Technology in the New Era of Smarter Food Safety." Scheduled from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm EDT, this event aims to explore the potential for leveraging data and technology to significantly enhance food safety standards and subsequently improve public health outcomes.

The morning session of the meeting will feature presentations from FDA representatives, outlining the agency's current perspectives on innovative data and technology initiatives that could drive exponential advancements in food safety. The focus will be on exploring opportunities for collaboration between regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders to harness these advancements effectively.

Following the morning session, the afternoon segment will provide a platform for public comments, allowing stakeholders to share insights and perspectives on how data and technology can be strategically integrated to accelerate the FDA's efforts in enhancing food safety. Participants will have the opportunity to address topics such as tech-enabled traceability, predictive analytics, data sharing, whole genome sequencing (e.g., GenomeTrakr), and various technological innovations in equipment design, digital tools, and training methodologies.

Moreover, the FDA welcomes feedback on emerging areas of innovation not covered in the initial New Era of Smarter Food Safety Blueprint, such as the utilization of virtual reality in food safety training.

In addition to the public meeting, a Regulations.gov docket will be opened for a duration of 60 days starting April 24, 2024, to gather further comments related to the event's topics. The feedback received from both the public meeting and the accompanying docket will play a crucial role in informing the FDA's prioritization of activities within the New Era of Smarter Food Safety framework, as well as shaping future stakeholder engagement initiatives.

Participation in the virtual public meeting is free of charge; however, registration is mandatory. Individuals who wish to contribute during the afternoon public comment session must register in advance, following the instructions provided on the meeting page.