In This Week’s Edition:
- Strategy to Reduce Food Waste
- Update on FDA Investigation of Elevated Lead Levels: Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches
- Update on Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Cantaloupes
- United States v. Koch Foods Incorporated; Proposed Final Judgment and Competitive Impact Statement
- FDA Releases Annual Summary Report on Antimicrobials Sold or Distributed in 2022 for Use in Food-Producing Animals
- FSIS Updates Directive on Verification Activities for Advanced Meat Recovery Systems
- Sweet Cherries Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Continuance Referendum
- Tart Cherries Grown in Certain States; Amendments to the Marketing Order
- USDA Proposes to Terminate Cranberry Marketing Order
- Addition of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo to the List of Regions Affected by African Swine Fever
- FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
- FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
- FDA Import Alerts
- FDA Warning Letters`
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 located in Ecuador. Ingredient sample collection is underway.
The FDA is continuing to coordinate with Ecuadorian authorities on the investigation of the source of elevated lead levels in cinnamon apple pouches. In addition, the Ecuadorian authorities report that Negasmart’s cinnamon had higher levels of lead than allowed by Ecuador and that Negasmart, the supplier of cinnamon to Austrofoods, is currently under an Ecuadorian administrative sanctions process to determine the responsible party for the contamination.
Update on Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Cantaloupes
FDA has been notified of additional recalls of pre-cut products made from recalled cantaloupes and has posted a compiled list of these recalls on the FDA website. On November 30, 2023, Cut Fruit Express initiated a recall of cantaloupe chunks and fruit mixes containing cantaloupe. On December 5, 2023, TGD Cuts, LLC has initiated a recall of the specific fresh-cut fruit cup, clamshell and tray products listed below because they contain cantaloupe from TruFresh.
United States v. Koch Foods Incorporated; Proposed Final Judgment and Competitive Impact Statement
Notice has been given by the that a proposed Final Judgment, Stipulation, and Competitive Impact Statement have been filed with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, in United States v. Koch Foods Incorporated, Civil Action No. 23-15813. On November 9, 2023, the United States filed a Complaint alleging that Koch Foods Incorporated, one of the largest poultry processors in the United States, unlawfully requires independent chicken farmers to pay Koch an exit fee if the farmers switch from working with Koch to working with one of its rivals. Koch’s practices are alleged to violate section 202(a) of the Packers and Stockyards Act and section 1 of the Sherman Act.
FDA Releases Annual Summary Report on Antimicrobials Sold or Distributed in 2022 for Use in Food-Producing Animals
FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine published the 2022 Summary Report on Antimicrobials Sold or Distributed for Use in Food-Producing Animals. This year’s data show that domestic sales and distribution of medically important antimicrobial drugs approved for use in food-producing animals increased by four percent between 2021 and 2022; compared to 2015 (peak year of sales), 2022 sales were down 36 percent.
FSIS Updates Directive on Verification Activities for Advanced Meat Recovery Systems
The directive updates instructions to inspection program personnel (IPP) in livestock establishments using advanced meat recovery (AMR) systems by incorporating instructions from FSIS Directive 7160.1, Meat Produced by Advanced Meat/Bone Separation Machinery and Meat Recovery Systems and FSIS Directive 7160.2, “Meat” Prepared Using Advanced Mechanical Meat/Bone Separation Machinery and Meat Recovery Systems. This directive now includes instructions for IPP to verify that establishments producing AMR from all livestock species develop written procedures describing the ongoing verification activities that will be performed in order to meet regulatory requirements in 9 CFR 318.24 and the definition of meat. Additionally, this directive clarifies that IPP no longer sample livestock species other than beef for AMR analysis.
Sweet Cherries Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Continuance Referendum
The Agricultural Marketing Service will be conducting a continuance referendum among eligible Washington sweet cherry growers to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of sweet cherries grown in designated counties in Washington.
Tart Cherries Grown in Certain States; Amendments to the Marketing Order
USDA’s proposed rule invites comments on proposed amendments to Marketing Order No. 930, which regulates the handling of tart cherries grown in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin. The proposed amendments would modify the basis for calculating district representation on the Cherry Industry Administrative Board among other things.
USDA Proposes to Terminate Cranberry Marketing Order
USDA is proposing terminating the Federal marketing order regulating the handling of cranberries grown in the States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York and the rules and regulations issued thereunder (Marketing Order No. 929). The data collection, reporting and recordkeeping requirements applicable to cranberries not subject to the cranberry marketing order would also be terminated.
Addition of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo to the List of Regions Affected by African Swine Fever
USDA is advising the public that they have added Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo to the APHIS list maintained on the APHIS website of regions considered to be affected with African swine fever (ASF). USDA has taken this action because of the confirmation of ASF in those countries.
FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
This week’s updates are:
- A new outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1205) in a not yet identified food has been added to the table.
- For the outbreak of Salmonella Sundsvall (ref #1203) linked to cantaloupe, the recall was expanded to include additional retailers and wholesalers who received the recalled melons. Additionally, the Oranienburg strain of Salmonella was added to this outbreak. See the Outbreak Advisory for additional information.
- For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #989) linked to peaches, plums, and nectarines, the advisory was updated to include international distribution of the recalled fruit to Canada, Mexico, and Taiwan.
- For the investigation of elevated lead levels in Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (ref # 1198) the advisory was updated to include additional adverse event reports and Investigation updates.
- For the outbreak of Salmonella Newport (ref# 1201) in a not yet identified food, the case count has increased from 42 to 43 cases.
- For the outbreak of E. coli O121 (ref#1195) in a not yet identified food, an on-site inspection was initiated and sample collection and analysis was initiated.
- For the outbreak of E. coli O103 (ref# 1192) in a not identified product, the investigation is complete and the outbreak has ended.
FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
FDA Import Alerts
The latest FDA import alerts include foods containing illegal/undeclared colors, food products due to the presence of salmonella, and more.
FDA Warning Letters
GCHNC LLC dba Hemp XR/Gate City Hemp dba Hemp XR/Allaziya Enterprises, LLC dba Hemp XR |
Premarket Approval/Adulterated |
Belmont Eyecare LLC |
Finished Pharmaceuticals/Unapproved New Drug |