In This Week’s Edition:
- FSIS RTE Poultry Guidelines
- CBP Invites Public Comments for Discussion at Green Trade Innovation and Incentives Forum
- FTC Releases Agenda for May 23 Workshop on “Recyclable” Claims
- USDA Announces New Steps to Enhance Organic Markets and Support Producers
- Romania Eligible to Export Processed Pork Products to the U.S.
- FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
- FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
- FDA Import Alerts
- FDA Warning Letters
FSIS RTE Poultry Guidelines
FSIS announced the availability of a guidance document for manufacturing ready-to-eat, shelf-stable, fermented, salt-cured, and dried meat and poultry products that do not use cooking as the primary lethality step. FSIS is seeking public comment on the guideline until July 5, 2023. The agency will host two webinars—May 15, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. ET, and May 17, 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. ET—to provide an overview of the guidance and an opportunity for participants to ask questions.
CBP Invites Public Comments for Discussion at Green Trade Innovation and Incentives Forum
CBP issued a reminder for public comments in anticipation of the upcoming Green Trade Innovation and Incentives Forum on July 11; an event designed to solicit and share ideas related to green trade innovation and incentivization of clean and sustainable supply chains. The public comment period closes Monday, May 22. The meeting will be both virtual and in-person and you can register at the above link.
FTC Releases Agenda for May 23 Workshop on “Recyclable” Claims
FTC released the tentative agenda for its May 23 workshop in Washington, DC, which will examine the Commission’s guidance on “recyclable” advertising claims as part of its ongoing review of the Guides for Use of Environmental Marketing Claims. The workshop, Talking Trash: Recyclable Claims and the Green Guides, is free and open to the public, and pre-registration is not required.
USDA Announces New Steps to Enhance Organic Markets and Support Producers
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA is taking additional steps as part of its commitment to strengthen the market for domestically grown organic goods, and to support producers seeking organic certification. These funding opportunities are part of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative, launched in fall 2022, which is a suite of offerings to help existing organic farmers and those transitioning to organic production and processing.
Romania Eligible to Export Processed Pork Products to the U.S.
FSIS reinstated Romania’s eligibility to export to the U.S. processed pork products from certified Romanian establishments. The agency reviewed the country’s documentation of its food safety inspection system and conducted an onsite verification audit from August 31-September 29, 2021. As a result, FSIS determined that Romania’s raw and processed pork product laws, regulations, and food safety inspection system achieve an equivalent level of protection as applied domestically in the U.S. Romania is eligible to use raw source materials from hogs slaughtered in certified establishments in the country.
FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
This week’s updates are:
- For the outbreak linked to morel mushrooms (ref #1152), the case count has increased from 30 cases to 41 cases.
- For the outbreak of hepatitis A virus (ref #1143), cases have increased from 8 to 9. This change has been made on the advisory for this outbreak.
FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
FDA Import Alerts
The latest FDA import alerts include food products due to the presence of salmonella, raw agricultural products due to pesticides, and more.
FDA Warning Letters
BAM Group LLC d/b/a VapEscape |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Drivergent, Inc. |
CGMP/Finished Pharmaceuticals/Adulterated |
Joyetech Shenzhen Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Premier Nutra Pharma Inc. |
CGMP/Finished Pharmaceuticals/Adulterated |