In This Week’s Edition:
- Change in Maturity Requirements for Imported Avocados
- Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods Portal Now Open
- FSIS to Propose Raw Pork Performance Standards
- FSIS to Modernize Campylobacter Analysis of Poultry Samples
- FSIS Publishes Study on Safe Handling Instructions Labeling
- FDA Warns Consumers Not to Use Certain Powdered Infant Formula Produced in Facility in Sturgis, Michigan
- Dr. Robert Califf returns as FDA’s Commissioner
- USDA and EPA Welcome New U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions
- FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
- FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
- FDA Import Alerts
- FDA Warning Letters
Change in Maturity Requirements for Imported Avocados
USDA has finalized the rule change on maturity requirements for avocados imported to the U.S. and avocados grown in South Florida. Read the full rule here.
Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods Portal Now Open
FDA opened the application portal for accreditation bodies interested in participating in the FSMA Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) program.
Under the LAAF program, the FDA will recognize accreditation bodies that will accredit food testing laboratories to standards established in the FSMA final rule on Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods.
FSIS to Propose Raw Pork Performance Standards
Next week, FSIS expects to publish proposed pathogen reduction performance standards for Salmonella in raw comminuted pork and raw pork cuts in the Federal Register. The notice will also describe how FSIS plans to assess whether establishments producing these products are effectively addressing Salmonella using a moving window of FSIS sampling results.
FSIS to Modernize Campylobacter Analysis of Poultry Samples
To reduce result reporting times for regulatory pathogen testing, FSIS will begin using a new Campylobacter enrichment medium at all three field service laboratories to analyze poultry samples received on or after March 7, 2022.
FSIS Publishes Study on Safe Handling Instructions Labeling
FSIS has published the results of a consumer behavioral study on safe handling instructions (SHI), which are required to appear on the packaging of all raw or partially cooked meat and poultry products intended for sale to consumers. The study evaluated consumer reaction to three revised SHI labels on product packaging to determine whether consumers noticed the labels more and, therefore, followed the instructions better as compared to current SHI labels.
FDA Warns Consumers Not to Use Certain Powdered Infant Formula Produced in Facility in Sturgis, Michigan
FDA announced it is investigating consumer complaints of Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport infections. All of the cases are reported to have consumed powdered infant formula produced from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Michigan facility. As a result of the ongoing investigation, along with the CDC and state and local partners, the FDA is alerting consumers to avoid purchasing or using certain powdered infant formula products produced at this facility.
Dr. Robert Califf returns as FDA’s Commissioner
The Stakeholder Engagement Staff announced the swearing in of Dr. Robert Califf on Thursday, February 17, 2022. Read his full statement on returning to be the commissioner of the FDA.
USDA and EPA Welcome New U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions
The EPA and the USDA welcomed seven companies to the U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions, companies that have committed to reducing food loss and waste in their U.S. operations by 50 percent by 2030. The new 2030 Champions include: Albertsons Companies, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Danone North America, Smithfield Foods, Inc., Starbucks, Sysco, and Tyson Foods.
FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
This week’s updates are:
- There is a new investigation of Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport that has been added to the table.
- The case count for the Listeria outbreak (reference #1040) has changed to 14 cases.
FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
FDA Import Alerts
The latest FDA import alerts include seafood with seafood HACCP, misbranding, and color additive violations.
FDA Warning Letters
Vapors Inc. d/b/a Vapors of Alabama Oneonta |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Lecig Enterprises Inc |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Vapors Inc. d/b/a Vapors of Alabama Gardendale |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Twisted Vapors |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Vapors Inc d/b/a Vapors of Alabama of Jasper |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Vapors Inc. d/b/a Vapors of Alabama Arab |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
JP Ventures LLC dba iVape |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Glenn Burkett Naples Corporation |
Unapproved New Drugs/Misbranded |
ECI Pharmaceuticals, LLC |
Failure to Register and List |
Indiana Chem-Port |
CGMP/Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API)/Adulterated |
GreenSmartLiving, Inc. |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Victory Vapor Inc. |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Vapor Solutions and Labs, LLC |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Marquis Worldwide Specialty, Inc. |
Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) |
Jay Shree Hanuman, Inc. |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Walker Trading Company, Inc. |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Richard J. Obiso, PhD dba Avila Herbals, LLC |
Clinical Investigator |
Pharmacy2Home/LandiCom Holding LTD |
Unapproved and Misbranded Products Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) |