In This Week’s Edition: FSIS Amends Allergen Directive This directive provides instructions to inspection program personnel (IPP) for performing the “Big 9” Formulation Verification task in the Public Health Information System (PHIS). IPP verify that establishments are accurately controlling and labeling the nine most common food allergens in meat (including Siluriformes products), poultry, and egg products establishments.…
In This Week’s Edition: New USDA Grocery Benefit USDA announced that 35 states, all five U.S. territories, and four Tribes plan to be the first to launch the new, permanent summer grocery benefits program for children – known as Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer – in summer 2024. USDA estimates that, in total, the states, U.S. territories, and…
In This Week’s Edition: FSIS User Fees FSIS is announcing the 2024 rates it will charge meat, poultry, and egg products establishments, and importers and exporters for providing voluntary, overtime, and holiday inspection and identification, certification, and laboratory services. Additionally, FSIS is announcing that there will be no changes to the fee FSIS assesses to exporters that…
In This Week’s Edition: Partially Hydrogenated Oil Ban in Foods The FDA is announcing that December 22, 2023 is the effective date for the direct final rule regarding the revocation of uses of partially hydrogenated oils in food. The FDA stated that this would be the effective date unless any significant adverse comment was submitted to the…
In This Week’s Edition: Strategy to Reduce Food Waste FDA, USDA, and EPA released a national strategy that will drive progress toward the national goal to reduce food loss and waste in the U.S. by 50% by 2030. Update on FDA Investigation of Elevated Lead Levels: Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches FDA has initiated an onsite inspection at the Austrofoods facility…
In This Week’s Edition: New FDA Food Traceability Resources FDA rolled out new tools and FAQs that will continue to inform stakeholders about the Food Traceability Rule and help covered entities come into compliance. Foods subject to the final rule’s requirements appear on the Food Traceability List. Guidance: Canadian Export Certificate Requirement Reminder for Sugar Containing Products of…
In This Week’s Edition: Lead Levels in Applesauce Investigation FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating reports of elevated blood lead levels in individuals with reported exposure to Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree pouches manufactured in Ecuador and sold under WanaBana, Weis, and Schnucks brands. As of November 16, 2023, there have been…
In This Week’s Edition: FSMA Resources, Two FSMA Programs Offer Tools to Assist Stakeholders The FSMA programs, the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program (TPP) and the Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods Program (LAAF), are each offering a QR code and a graphic element to communicate the status of participants in TPP and LAAF and to promote awareness of the…
In This Week’s Edition: FDA to Ban Brominated Vegetable Oil FDA proposed to revoke the regulation authorizing the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food. The agency concluded that the intended use of BVO in food is no longer considered safe after the results of studies conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health found…
In This Week’s Edition: USDA New Organic Poultry and Livestock Rule Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack previewed the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards final rule. This new rule establishes new standards for organic livestock and poultry production including: USDA’s Economic Research Service’s 2022 Household Food Security in the U.S. Report USDA’s Economic Research Service released the Household Food Security in…