In This Week’s Edition:
- USDA Trade Mission Underway in London
- USDA Announces Assistance for On-Farm Food Safety Expenses for Specialty Crop Growers
- Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Recognizing National Pollinator Week
- FDA Denies Authorization to Market JUUL Products
- National Organic Standards Board Meeting
- Solicitation of Nominations for Members of the USDA Grain Inspection Advisory Committee
- Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for the Importation of Fresh Baby Kiwi Fruit
- Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Peanut Butter
- Outbreak Investigation of Hepatitis A Virus: Strawberries
- Important 30 Day Notice for FSVP Importers Regarding “UNK”
- FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
- FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
- FDA Import Alerts
- FDA Warning Letters
USDA Trade Mission Underway in London
USDA Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh arrived in London to launch a USDA agribusiness trade mission to the United Kingdom. Deputy Secretary Bronaugh is joined by a delegation of representatives from U.S. agribusinesses, farm organizations and state departments of agriculture who are interested in exploring export opportunities in this important market.
USDA Announces Assistance for On-Farm Food Safety Expenses for Specialty Crop Growers
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA plans to provide up to $200 million in assistance for specialty crop producers who incur eligible on-farm food safety program expenses to obtain or renew a food safety certification in calendar years 2022 or 2023. USDA’s new Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops program will help to offset costs for specialty crop producers to comply with regulatory requirements and market-driven food safety certification requirements, which is part of USDA’s broader effort to transform the food system to create a more level playing field for small and medium producers and a more balanced, equitable economy for everyone working in food and agriculture.
Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Recognizing National Pollinator Week
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a USDA proclamation in recognition and support of National Pollinator Week (June 20 – 26, 2022). Pollinator species, such as bees, other insects, birds, and bats play a critical role in producing more than 100 crops grown in the United States.
FDA Denies Authorization to Market JUUL Products
FDA issued marketing denial orders to JUUL Labs Inc. for all of their products currently marketed in the United States. As a result, the company must stop selling and distributing these products. In addition, those currently on the U.S. market must be removed, or risk enforcement action.
National Organic Standards Board Meeting
USDA is announcing a meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The NOSB assists the USDA in the development of standards for substances to be used in organic production and advises the Secretary of Agriculture on any other aspects of the implementation of the Organic Foods Production Act. The meeting will be held October 25-27, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) each day and will include a virtual broadcast.
Solicitation of Nominations for Members of the USDA Grain Inspection Advisory Committee
USDA’s AMS is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on the USDA Grain Inspection Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee meets no less than once annually to advise AMS on the programs and services it delivers under the U.S. Grain Standards Act. Recommendations by the Advisory Committee help AMS better meet the needs of its customers who operate in a dynamic and changing marketplace.
Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for the Importation of Fresh Baby Kiwi Fruit
USDA advising the public that they have prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with importation of fresh baby kiwi fruit from France into the continental United States. Based on the analysis, USDA has determined that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of fresh baby kiwi fruit from France.
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Peanut Butter
The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Senftenberg infections linked to certain Jif brand peanut butter products produced at the J.M. Smucker Company facility in Lexington, Kentucky.
FDA has posted a list of additional recalls being conducted by companies that have used the recalled Jif peanut butter as an ingredient in the manufacturing of a new product (e.g., chocolate products) or in repackaging the product (e.g., snack cups). This list will be updated as the agency receives notification of new recalls.
Outbreak Investigation of Hepatitis A Virus: Strawberries
The FDA, along with CDC, and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A infections in the United States linked to fresh organic strawberries. These potentially contaminated strawberries were imported from Baja California, a state in northern Mexico, and branded as FreshKampo and HEB by a common supplier; they were purchased between March 5, 2022, and April 15, 2022. The Public Health Agency of and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are also investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A. Imported FreshKampo brand fresh organic strawberries have been identified as the likely source of the outbreak in Canada.
Important 30 Day Notice for FSVP Importers Regarding “UNK”
Beginning July 24, 2022, the entity identification code “UNK” will no longer be accepted in the Entity Number field by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Consistent with 21 CFR 1.509(a), FSVP importers will be required to ensure that their valid, 9-digit DUNS number is provided in the Entity Number field.
FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
This week’s updates are:
- New outbreaks have been added to the table:
- Salmonella Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+ in a not yet identified product (ref #1072) and traceback has been initiated.
- Salmonella Braenderup in a not yet identified product (ref #1075) and traceback has been initiated.
- For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes in a not yet identified product, traceback has been initiated (ref # 1070).
FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
FDA Import Alerts
The latest FDA import alerts include color additives, salmonella, heavy meta contamination, and more
FDA Warning Letters
East Coast Liquids d/b/a Planet Vapor |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
McCraney Enterprises Corporation d/b/a Vapors Heaven |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Glicerinas Industriales, S.A. de C.V. |
CGMP/Finished Drug Products/Refusal/Limited Inspection |