In This Week’s Edition:
- Outbreak Investigation of Hepatitis A Virus: Strawberries
- FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-to-Eat Salad Products Containing Peanut Butter that May be Contaminated with Salmonella
- USDA Announces Framework for Shoring Up the Food Supply Chain and Transforming the Food System
- Oriental Foods Association Supports Petition on Ready to Cook Poultry Regulations
- FSIS Denies Petition to Classify 31 Salmonella Serotypes as Adulterants
- FSIS Denies Petition to Revise Safe Handling Instructions on Raw and Partially-Cooked Product
- FDA Posts Answers to FAQ for the FSMA Lab Accreditation for Analyses of Foods Final Rule
- FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
- FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
- FDA Import Alerts
- FDA Warning Letters
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 25, 2022. The Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are also investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A. Imported fresh organic strawberries have been identified as the likely source of that outbreak.
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-to-Eat Salad Products Containing Peanut Butter that May be Contaminated with Salmonella
FSIS is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat salad products containing FDA regulated peanut butter that has been recalled by J.M. Smucker Company due to potential Salmonella contamination. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that this product should not be consumed.
USDA Announces Framework for Shoring Up the Food Supply Chain and Transforming the Food System
USDA is announcing details of a framework to transform the food system to benefit consumers, producers and rural communities by providing more options, increasing access, and creating new, more, and better markets for small and mid-size producers. The announcement builds on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine. This announcement also provides additional details on the June 2021 statement to strengthen critical supply chains and address longstanding structural challenges that were revealed and intensified by the pandemic.
Oriental Foods Association Supports Petition on Ready to Cook Poultry Regulations
The Oriental Foods Association submitted a comment of support on the petition by Northern Goose Processors Ltd. that petitioned USDA to amend regulations implementing the Poultry Products Inspection Regulations proposed definition of Ready to Cook Poultry.
FSIS Denies Petition to Classify 31 Salmonella Serotypes as Adulterants
FSIS completed its review of the petition submitted on behalf of Rick Schiller, Steven Romes, the Porter Family, Food & Water Watch, Consumer Federation of America, and Consumer Reports. The petition requests that FSIS issue an interpretive rule to declare certain Salmonella serotypes as adulterants in meat and poultry products. FSIS’ final decision was to deny the petition.
FSIS Denies Petition to Revise Safe Handling Instructions for Raw and Partially-Cooked Product
FSIS completed its review of the petition requesting that FSIS initiate rulemaking to revise the regulations that prescribe safe handling instruction labeling for raw and partially cooked meat and poultry products. FSIS’ final decision was to not revise the regulation.
FDA Posts Answers to FAQ for the FSMA Lab Accreditation for Analyses of Foods Final Rule
FDA posted clarifying FAQs for stakeholders for the FDA FSMA final rule on Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF). LAAF establishes a laboratory accreditation program for the testing of food in certain circumstances. Under the LAAF program, FDA will recognize accreditation bodies that will accredit laboratories to the standards established in the final rule.
FDA Launches New Dietary Supplement Education Initiative for Consumers, Educators, and Healthcare Professionals
FDA launched a new initiative, Supplement Your Knowledge, to help educate, inform, and broaden consumer, educator and healthcare professional understanding of dietary supplements. More than half of all Americans take dietary supplements daily or on occasion. Supplement Your Knowledge resources are intended to provide reliable information about the potential benefits and risks associated with dietary supplements, such as vitamins, minerals, and herbs, they may consume.
FDA Infant Formula Update
FDA released an update on additional steps it has taken that will lead to more infant formula available in the U.S. under the agency’s recent increased flexibilities.
FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
This week’s updates are:
- An outbreak of Hepatitis A Virus in strawberries has been added to the table. FDA has initiated traceback and an outbreak advisory has been posted.
- A traceback investigation has been initiated for the outbreak of Salmonella in peanut butter (reference #1067).
FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
FDA Import Alerts
The latest FDA import alerts include filth, mycotoxins, imported foods that appear to be misbranded, and more
FDA Warning Letters
The 505 Vapor Room, LLC |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Grimann S.A. de C.V. |
Failure to Comply with Drug Registration and Listing Requirements |
Yippee Farms, LLC |
Illegal Drug Residue Animal Tissue/Adulterated |
OsteoLife Biomedical I LLC |
Deviations/CFR/Regulations for Human Cells, Tissues & Cellular Products (HCT/Ps) |
New Vitalis, LLC dba New Vitalis Pharmacy |
Compounding Pharmacy/Adulterated Drug Products |
CAJ Food Products Inc. |
New Drug/Misbranded |
Russ Davis Wholesale Inc |
Juice HACCP/CGMP for Foods/Adulterated/Insanitary Conditions |