FDA Delays Tobacco Labeling Rule Effective Date
As required by an order issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, FDA has delayed the effective date of the final rule (“Tobacco Products; Required Warnings for Cigarette Packages and Advertisements”). The previous effective date was June 18, 2021. The new effective date is January 14, 2022.
FDA Seeks Public Comment on Potential Approach for Defining Durations of Use for Certain Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs for Food Animals
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has published a concept paper to obtain early input from the public on a potential framework for how animal drug sponsors could voluntarily make changes to the approved conditions of use for certain medically important antimicrobial drugs to establish a defined duration of use for those indications that currently lack a defined duration of use. More details here.
FSIS Posts Update Dataset on Import Refusals
The dataset is available here.
AMS FY2021 Grain Fees for Official Inspection and Weighing Services
The fees are listed below: FY 2020 Local Field office administrative Calculated FY 2021 costs local tonnage fee ———————————————————————— New Orleans……………….. $1,209,886 $0.019 League City……………….. 574,717 0.056 Portland………………….. 346,941 0.085 Toledo……………………. 238,162 0.138More information here.
FDA Announces Refresh of Import Office and Ports of Entry Point of Contact Webpage
In addition to the dedicated Import Trade Auxiliary Communications System (ITACS), FDA is announcing ta new tool to find contact information for import offices at U.S. ports of entry. The new webpage features a new design to help users quickly find FDA import office contact information, as well as port code information, featuring a state by state format and search tool. FDA emphasizes that although the new web page is intended to provide an improved interface for customers on our website, the most efficient way to obtain status updates or follow up regarding a detained or refused entry is ITACS.
AMS Establishes Pecan Promotion and Research Order
The rule establishes the Pecan Promotion, Research, and Information Order (7 CFR part 1223). The purpose of the program is to strengthen the position of pecans in the marketplace, maintain and expand markets for pecans, and develop new uses for pecans. The proposal was submitted to USDA by the National Pecan Federation. The program will be financed by an assessment on producers and importers and will be administered by a board of industry members selected by the Secretary. The initial assessment rate will be $0.02 per pound of inshell pecans and $0.04 per pound of shelled pecans produced within or imported to the United States.
USDA Releases U.S. Agriculture Innovation Strategy Directional Vision for Research
U.S. Agriculture Innovation Strategy Directional Vision for Research summary and dashboard will help to guide future research decisions within USDA. The strategy synthesizes the information USDA collected as part of a public announcement earlier this year engaging the public on research priorities under the Agriculture Innovation Agenda.
DOL Issues Final H-2A Modernization Rule
The rule mandates electronic filing of job orders and applications. It also provides small employers that cannot offer full-time work for their H-2A employees with an opportunity to participate in the H-2A program by establishing new standards that permit individual employers possessing the same need for agricultural services or labor to file a single application and job order to employ workers jointly in full-time employment. Additionally, the rule will provide additional flexibilities that will reduce unnecessary burdens on the agricultural employers that use the program. These flexibilities include the ability to stagger the entry of workers into the country over a 120-day period and allowing agricultural employers the flexibility to file a single application for different start dates of need within a certified employment period instead of multiple applications. More information here.
APHIS Publishes Draft Federal Select Agent Program Policy on Brucellosis
More details here.
FNS Emergency Food Assistance Program; Availability of Foods for Fiscal Year 2021
The notice announces the surplus and purchased foods that FNS expects to make available for donation to States for use in providing nutrition assistance to the needy under The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. The foods made available under the notice must, at the discretion of the State, be distributed to eligible recipient agencies (ERAs) for use in preparing meals and/or for distribution to households for home consumption.
FSIS Updates List of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to the U.S.
Latest FDA Import Alerts
The latest FDA import alerts are available here and include misbranding, salmonella, pesticides and vegetable protein from China.
Latest FDA Warning Letters:
Please contact Erik Lieberman at elieberman@usfoodimports.com for additional information.
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