Proposal to Transfer Agricultural Animal Biotechnology Regulatory Framework to USDA
Under the regulatory framework being contemplated, USDA would provide regulatory oversight from pre-market reviews through post-market food safety monitoring for certain farm animals developed using genetic engineering. USDA would promulgate regulations using the authorities granted to the Department through the Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA), the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA). Pursuant to these authorities, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) would conduct a safety assessment of organisms developed using genetic engineering that may increase an animal’s susceptibility to pests or diseases of livestock, including zoonotic diseases, or ability to transmit the same. The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) would conduct a pre-slaughter food safety assessment to ensure that the slaughter and processing of animals developed using genetic engineering would not result in a product that is unsound, unhealthful, unwholesome, or otherwise unfit for human food.
Federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans Published
The key recommendations in FY20-25 Dietary Guidelines are:
- Limiting added sugars* to less than 10% of calories per day for ages 2 and older and to avoid added sugars for infants and toddlers;
- Limiting saturated fat to less than 10% of calories per day starting at age 2;
- Limiting sodium intake to less than 2,300mg per day (or even less if younger than 14);
- Limiting alcoholic beverages* (if consumed) to 2 drinks or less a day for men and 1 drink or less a day for women.
FDA Proposes to Revoke Standard of Identity for French Dressing
The proposed rule is available here.
FSIS Guideline on Donating Meat and Poultry to Nonprofits
The guideline is available here.
FDA on 10th Anniversary of FSMA and Path Forward
The remarks by Deputy Commissioner Yiannis on the anniversary of FSMA are available here.
Final SNAP Work Rules Published
Available here. The final rule requires state agencies to consult with their state workforce development boards on the design of their Education and Training (E&T) programs and to document in their E&T state plans the extent to which their E&T programs will be carried out in coordination with activities under title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The final rule also makes changes to E&T components including: replacing job search with supervised job search as a component; eliminating job finding clubs; replacing job skills assessments with employability assessments; adding apprenticeships and subsidized employment as allowable activities; requiring a 30-day minimum for provision of job retention services.
Maine Approved to Accept Online SNAP Benefits
More information here.
Uniform Compliance Date for Food Labeling Regulations
The date is January 1, 2024. Details here.
FSIS Guideline on Responding to Consumer Complaints on Foreign Material in Meat and Poultry Products
The guideline is designed to help meat and poultry establishments develop a written program to respond to customer complaints.
FSIS FY2021 Sampling Plan Published
The plan is available here.
The standard regulates the quantity and quality of cherries among other things. Details on the proposed rule to eliminate the standard of identity are available here.
FSIS Cooperative Interstate Shipment Establishments
The list of Cooperative Interstate Shipment Establishments has been updated and is available here.
FSIS In-Field Study to Test a New Sample Collection Method for Beef Manufacturing Trimmings
The notice is available here.
USDA, NASA Sign Agreement to Improve Agricultural, Earth Science Research
More information here.
FSIS Notices and Directives Related to Egg Product Inspection Act Rule Implementation
AMS Announces Public Meeting on Plant Variety Protection Board
The meeting will be held virtually on March 31, 2021.
Updates on FSIS Foreign Equivalence Determinations
The updates are available here.
FSIS FOIA Requests Report
FOIA requests received by FSIS in December 2020 are available here.
FDA Report on Certification of Color Additives
The latest report is available here.
Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List
The latest list is available here.
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 salmonella, soft French cheese and crab from Thailand.
Latest FDA Warning Letters:
Posted Date |
Company |
Issuing Office |
Subject |
01/07/2021 |
Gorilla Vapes of Vineland |
Center for Tobacco Products |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
01/05/2021 |
Reddy Naturals |
Division of Human and Animal Food Operations East III |
New Drug/Misbranded |
01/05/2021 |
Coco’s Holistic Specialties & Apothecary |
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research | CDER |
Unapproved and Misbranded Products Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) |
12/29/2020 |
Clientele, Inc. |
Division of Pharmaceutical Quality Operations II |
CGMP/Finished Pharmaceuticals/Adulterated |
12/29/2020 |
Broncolin, S.A. de C.V. |
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research | CDER |
Finished Pharmaceuticals/Unapproved New Drug/Misbranded/Adulterated |
12/29/2020 |
Sparrow Health & Performance LLC |
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) |
Unapproved and Misbranded Products Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) |
12/29/2020 |
Riverstone LLC |
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) |
Unapproved and Misbranded Products Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) |
12/22/2020 |
Customceutical Compounding |
Division of Pharmaceutical Quality Operations IV |
Compounding Pharmacy/Adulterated Drug Products |
12/22/2020 |
Campimex, Inc. |
Division of Southwest Imports |
Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) |
12/22/2020 |
Whole Foods Market |
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) |
Food Labeling/Misbranded |
12/22/2020 |
New Leaf Pharmaceuticals, LLC |
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research | CDER |
Finished Pharmaceuticals/Unapproved New Drug/Misbranded |
12/22/2020 |
NextL3vel Services Group, LLC dba This Stuff Is Good For You |
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research | CDER |
Finished Pharmaceuticals/Unapproved New Drug/Misbranded/Adulterated |
12/22/2020 |
Wellness BioSciences Rx |
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research | CDER |
Finished Pharmaceuticals/Unapproved New Drug/Misbranded/Adulterated |
12/22/2020 |
G & L Wellness, LLC |
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research | CDER |
Finished Pharmaceuticals/Unapproved New Drug/Misbranded |
12/22/2020 |
Bee Delightful |
Division of Human and Animal Food Operations West III |
Unapproved New Drugs/Misbranded |
12/21/2020 |
Rowpar Pharmaceuticals |
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research | CDER |
Unapproved and Misbranded Products Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) |
Please contact Erik Lieberman at elieberman@usfoodimports.com for additional information. |