In This Week’s Edition:
- Amendments to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances in Organics
- FDA Investigation of Cronobacter and Salmonella Complaints in Powdered Infant Formula
- USDA Makes Available Additional $80 Million in Funding to Support Resilience in Dairy Industry
- FSIS Issues Updated Mask Guidance in Accordance with Current CDC Recommendations
- FDA Urges Companies to be ’Recall Ready’ to Protect Public Health
- USDA FSIS FOIA Request Report Update
- FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
- FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
- FDA Import Alerts
- FDA Warning Letters
Amendments to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances in Organics
This final rule amends the USDA’s organic regulations to implement recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board. The rule prohibits fourteen nonorganic ingredients, which are currently allowed in the manufacture of organic processed products. The rule also prohibits two substances (vitamin B1 and procaine), which are currently allowed in organic crop and livestock production. Finally, the rule renews an allowance for two substances (oxytocin and sucrose octanoate esters) in organic production.
FDA Investigation of Cronobacter and Salmonella Complaints in Powdered Infant Formula
CDC has announced one additional illness of Cronobacter sakazakii with exposure to powdered infant formula produced at Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI facility. Cronobacter infection may have been a contributing cause of death for this patient. In total, this investigation includes four reports of Cronobacter sakazakii infections in infants and one complaint of a Salmonella Newport infection in an infant.
USDA Makes Available Additional $80 Million in Funding to Support Resilience in Dairy Industry
USDA announced an additional investment of $80 million in the Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives. Under the existing DBI program, which was previously announced through a FY21 Request for Applications, each Initiative will now have the opportunity to submit additional proposals for up to $20 million in American Rescue Plan funds to further support processing capacity expansion, on-farm improvements, and technical assistance to producers.
FSIS Issues Updated Mask Guidance in Accordance with Current CDC Recommendations
As of March 1, 2022, FSIS Notice 34-21 has been rescinded. FSIS-regulated establishments are no longer subject to suspension or withdrawal of inspection services for failure to require their employees to wear masks when FSIS inspection program personnel are present.
FDA Urges Companies to be ’Recall Ready’ to Protect Public Health
FDA has finalized guidance to help companies prepare to quickly and effectively remove violative products from the market. The guidance describes steps companies should take, before a recall is necessary, to develop recall policies and procedures that include training, planning and record-keeping to reduce the time a recalled product is on the market and, thus, limit the public’s exposure to risk.
USDA FSIS FOIA Request Report Update
See the monthly report of USDA FSIS FOIA requests here.
FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
This week’s updates are:
- The E. coli outbreak linked to packaged salad (reference #1052) has now ended and the investigation is complete.
FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
FDA Import Alerts
The latest FDA import alerts include heavy metal contamination, unsanitary conditions, ceramicware with excess lead and/or cadmium.
FDA Warning Letters
MyVapor-Lounge LLC d/b/a Winter Garden Ecigs
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded
E-Cig USA Inc d/b/a Hutchinson Tobacco and Cigar
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded
Rainfield Marketing Group, Inc.
Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)
Greenhead Lobster Products LLC
Seafood HACCP/CGMP for Foods/Adulterated/Insanitary Conditions
Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods Inc.
Food Labeling/Misbranded
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded
New Drug/Misbranded