In This Week’s Edition:
- FDA Update on PFAS
- FNS Publishes Final WIC Rule
- Grain Inspection Advisory Committee Meeting
- USDA Partners With Reinvestment Fund to Increase Access to Healthy Foods Across Country
- USDA Announces Key Staff Appointments and Promotions
- FSIS Webinars on Voluntary Labeling of U.S.-Origin Claims
- FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
- FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
- FDA Import Alerts
- FDA Warning Letters
FDA Update on PFAS
FDA is sharing updates on their activities to better understand Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the general food supply, including recent testing results, continuing efforts to supplement our PFAS data and monitoring activities, and an updated analytical method to measure PFAS. Read the full update here.
FNS Publishes Final WIC Rule
This final rule considers public comments submitted in response to the proposed rule revising the WIC food packages published on November 21, 2022. It revises regulations to align the WIC food packages with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and to reflect recommendations from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine while promoting nutrition security and equity and considering program administration. The changes are intended to provide WIC participants with a wider variety of foods that align with the latest nutritional science; provide WIC State agencies with greater flexibility to prescribe and tailor food packages that accommodate participants’ special dietary needs and personal and cultural food preferences; and address key nutritional needs to support healthy dietary patterns.
Grain Inspection Advisory Committee Meeting
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, AMS, USDA, is announcing a meeting of the Grain Inspection Advisory Committee May 15, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central and on May 16, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Central. The meeting will be broadcast virtually. The Committee meets no less than once annually to advise the Secretary on the programs and services delivered by the AMS under the U.S. Grain Standards Act.
USDA Partners With Reinvestment Fund to Increase Access to Healthy Foods Across Country
USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that USDA is partnering with Reinvestment Fund to help organizations strengthen local food financing programs and improve access to healthy foods in underserved communities across the country.
USDA Announces Key Staff Appointments and Promotions
USDA announced the names of individuals who hold senior staff positions in Washington, D.C.
- Alysia K. Peters has been appointed Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Office of External and Intergovernmental Affairs
- Dr. Alexandra Lawrence has been appointed Chief of Staff for the Natural Resources Conversation Service
- Ethan Holmes has been appointed Senior Policy Advisor for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- Sakeenah Shabazz has been appointed Senior Policy Advisor for the Food and Nutrition Service
- Maya Cohn has been appointed Policy Advisor for the Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Maya Johnson has been appointed Policy Advisor for the Natural Resources Conservation Service
FSIS Webinars on Voluntary Labeling of U.S.-Origin Claims
FSIS will host two webinars to provide an overview of the March 2024 Final Rule Voluntary Labeling of FSIS-Regulated Products with U.S.-Origin Claims and information about the related guidance. Establishments choosing to include voluntary U.S.-origin claims (e.g., “Product of USA”) on the labels of FSIS-regulated products will need to comply with the new regulatory requirements by January 1, 2026, and are encouraged to do so as soon as practicable. The webinars will be held Tuesday, Apr 30, 2024 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm ET and Wednesday, May 15, 2024 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm ET
FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
This week’s updates are:
• A new outbreak of coli O157:H7 illnesses linked to a not yet identified product (ref #1221) has been added to the table. FDA has initiated traceback.
• For the outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium (ref #1218) in a not yet identified food, the case count has increased from 11 cases to 12 cases.
• For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1214) linked to queso fresco and cotija cheese, the advisory was updated on April 10, 2024. The outbreak has ended, and FDA’s investigation is closed.
• For the investigation of elevated lead levels in Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (ref # 1198), these products are off the market and no longer available for sale; however, they have a long shelf life. Consumers should check their pantries and discard any recalled products. FDA’s response has transitioned from this investigation to post-incident actions and activities. Future updates on lead-related actions and activities can be found on the FDA Post- Incident Response Activities: Elevated Lead & Chromium Levels: Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches page.
FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
FDA Import Alerts
The latest FDA import alerts include raw agricultural products for pesticides, food products due to the presence salmonella, and more.
FDA Warning Letters
Appleton City Feed Service LLC |
CGMP/Medicated Feeds/Adulterated |
Master Paints & Chemicals Corp. |
CGMP/Finished Pharmaceuticals/Adulterated |
Natco Pharma Limited |
CGMP/Finished Pharmaceuticals/Adulterated |
Euro USA Inc |
Seafood HACCP/CGMP for Foods/Adulterated/Insanitary Conditions |
EPD International S.R.O. |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Kai’s Virgin Vapor |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
La Sucursal Produce Inc. |
Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) |
Soulaire Corporation |
Investigational Device Exemptions (IDE)/Premarket Approval Application (PMA) Adulterated Device |
C&T Dream Co., Ltd. |
CGMP/Finished Pharmaceuticals/Adulterated |
Lipari Foods Operating Company, LLC |
Food Labeling/Misbranded |
Vape Dojo Corporate Headquarters |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Ecig Charleston LLC |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |