Food Industry Regulatory Update April 23, 2021

In this Week’s Edition:

FSIS Updates Lab Testing Criteria for E. coli
USDA Extends Universal Free Lunch Program Through 2021-22 School Year
FDA New Era of Smarter Food Safety Podcast
Robert Bonnie Nominated to Serve as USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation
AMS Announces User Fees for 2021-22
AMS Seeks Comments on Wheat Standards
USDA Seeks Comments on Supply Chain Resiliency
AMS to Hold Grain Inspection Advisory Committee Meeting May 12-13
AMS Proposes to Revise Chickpea Standards
AMS Proposes to Revise Irish Potato Standards
FSIS Updates List of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
FDA Import Alerts
FDA Warning Letters

FSIS Updates Lab Testing Criteria for E. coli

FSIS is aligning the testing criteria for E. coli O157:H7 with that for non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Consistent with laboratory testing for non-O157 STEC, an E. coli O157:H7 isolate will be confirmed positive if it has the virulence-associated stx gene and eae gene, and is identified by the laboratory as O157. Furthermore, FSIS is removing the H7 gene testing requirement for certain O157:H7 isolates already positive for the virulence genes stx and eae. FSIS states harmonizing STEC laboratory testing creates a more efficient laboratory workflow where all regulated STECs are treated the same from initial laboratory screening to full isolate characterization. This update will not affect current FSIS laboratory protocols leading to the reporting of potential and presumptive positive results. More details here.

USDA Extends Universal Free School Lunch Program Through 2021-22 School Year

More information here.

FDA New Era of Smarter Food Safety Podcast

On Thursday, April 29, 2021, FDA is launching the first in a new quarterly podcast series that focuses on the development and use of new technologies to strengthen the ability of FDA, regulated industry, and others to accelerate prevention, speed outbreak response, and more swiftly adapt to crises that could affect the human and animal food supply. Details here.

Robert Bonnie Nominated to Serve as Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation

Information here.

AMS Announces User Fees for 2021-22

Most fees remain unchanged but some have increased. The fee schedule is here.

AMS Seeks Comments on Wheat Standards

Details here.

USDA Seeks Comments on Supply Chain Resiliency

USDA is required to report to the president on food and agriculture supply chain resiliency in a year. The notice requests comments and information from the public to assist USDA in preparing the report. USDA is also requesting public comment to inform its thinking regarding how stimulus relief programs and spending related to food supply chain resilience as authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 can help to increase durability and resilience within the U.S. food supply chain. More details and instructions on submitting comments are here.

AMS to Hold Grain Inspection Advisory Committee Meeting May 12-13

Details and registration here.

AMS Proposes to Revise Chickpea Standards

More information here.

AMS Proposes to Revise Irish Potato Standards

The proposal would allow for smaller potatoes.

FSIS Updates List of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.

FDA Import Alerts

The latest FDA import alerts are available here and include pesticides, lead in ceramicware, dried fish and misbranding.

FDA Warning Letters

The latest FDA warning letters are:

04/20/2021

Sky Global Food Inc Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)