In This Week’s Edition:
- FDA Warns Companies for Illegally Selling Food and Beverage Products that Contain CBD
- FDA Issues Guidance on Food Allergen Labeling Requirements
- Expansion of FSIS Testing for E. coli to Additional Raw Beef Products
- Grain Inspection Advisory Committee Meeting Announced
- Extension of Comment Period for Proposed Rule on Definition of Term “Healthy”
- FSIS FOIA Request Report
- Update on Investigation of Frozen Falafel E. coli Outbreak
- Agenda Now Available for FDA Webinar on the Food Traceability Final Rule
- FSIS Petition on Small Volume Imports
- Comment Period Extended on GIPSA Proposed Rule
- 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 Warns Companies for Illegally Selling Food and Beverage Products that Contain CBD
This week FDA posted warning letters to five companies for illegally selling products containing cannabidiol (CBD). FDA believes the companies are selling CBD containing products that people may confuse for traditional foods or beverages which may result in unintentional consumption or overconsumption of CBD. CBD-containing products in forms that are appealing to children, such as gummies, hard candies and cookies, are especially concerning to the agency.
FDA Issues Guidance on Food Allergen Labeling Requirements
FDA issued new guidance on food allergen labeling requirements which addresses the addition of sesame to the list of major food allergens among other matters.
Expansion of FSIS Testing for E. coli to Additional Raw Beef Products
FSIS is announcing that on February 1, 2023, the Agency will expand its routine verification testing for six Shiga toxin-producing E. coli that are adulterants, in addition to the adulterant E. coli (0157:H7), to ground beef, bench trim, and other raw ground beef components in addition to raw beef manufacturing trimmings in official establishments.
Grain Inspection Advisory Committee Meeting Announced
AMS is giving notice of a meeting of the Grain Inspection Advisory Committee to be held December 14-15 in St. Louis. The Advisory 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. The meeting may be attended virtually. The notice contains a registration link.
Extension of Comment Period for Proposed Rule on Definition of Term “Healthy”
FDA is extending the comment period for the proposed rule entitled “Food Labeling: Nutrient
Content Claims: Definition of Term ‘Healthy’ ” that appeared in the Federal Register of September 29, 2022. FDA is taking this action in response to a request from stakeholders to extend the comment period to allow interested persons additional time to submit comments.
FSIS FOIA Request Report
A new month FOIA Request report is available for the month of November. Find the full report here.
Update on Investigation of Frozen Falafel E. coli Outbreak
The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, investigated a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121:H19 infections linked to Earth Grown frozen falafel.
As of December 1, 2022, CDC announced that the outbreak is over. There have been a total of 24 illnesses in six states. The last illness onset was October 24, 2022.
Agenda Now Available for FDA Webinar on the Food Traceability Final Rule
The agenda for the new upcoming informational webinar on the recently released Food Traceability final rule issued under the FDA FSMA is now available. The webinar will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (ET).
FSIS Petition on Small Volume Import Rules
The petition requests that FSIS clarify that the regulations in 9 CFR 327.16, which prescribe requirements for the importation of small amounts meat products for the importer’s personal consumption, apply to meat products purchased over the internet.
Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act
AMS is providing an additional 45 days for submission of comments and information from the public regarding the proposed revisions to the regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 that promote inclusive competition and market integrity in the livestock, meats, poultry, and live poultry markets.
FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
This week’s updates are:
- For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (reference #1127) linked to enoki mushrooms, FDA has initiated sample collection and analysis.
- For the outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium (reference #1113) in an unidentified product, one additional case has been added for a total case count of 270 cases and the outbreak has ended.A new outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium (reference #1113) in a not yet identified food has been added to the table and traceback has been initiated. There are currently 264 cases. The FDA is working closely with federal, state, and local partners to investigate multiple food items of interest to determine the source of this outbreak and will update the public when more information becomes available.
- For the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in a not yet identified food (reference #1121), the outbreak status has changed to “Ended”.
FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
FDA Import Alerts
The latest FDA import alerts include fresh produce that appears to have been prepared, packed or held in unsanitary conditions, importers who are not in compliance with FSVP, and more.
FDA Warning Letters
Vapor Candy Inc d/b/a The Vape Stop |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Jayde’s Vapor Lounge |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Vapor Plus OK LLC |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
“David M. Lubeck, M.D./Arbor Centers for EyeCare |
Clinical Investigator (Sponsor) |
Jam Jam Services, Inc. |
Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) |
La Serranita Import and Export LLC |
Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) |
J R Imports LLC |
Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) |
Shuzy Rock Inc. |
CGMP/Finished Pharmaceuticals/Adulterated |