In This Week’s Edition:
- FSIS U.S. Country of Origin Labeling Proposed Rule
- 2023/2024 Rates Charged for AMS Services
- USDA Consumer Tips on Handling Meals Outdoors
- AMS Continuance Referendum on Cranberry Marketing Order
- USDA, DHS Cut Ribbon on National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility
- 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 U.S. Country of Origin Labeling Proposed Rule
Under the proposed rule, two specific voluntary U.S.-origin label claims, “Product of USA” and “Made in the USA”, would be generically approved for use on single ingredient, FSIS-regulated products derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the United States. The two claims “Product of USA” and “Made in the USA” would also be generically approved for use on multi-ingredient FSIS-regulated products if: (1) All FSIS-regulated components of the product are derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the United States; and (2) All additional ingredients, other than spices and flavorings, are of domestic origin ( i.e., all preparation and processing steps of the ingredients are completed in the United States).
The proposed rule would also allow for other U.S.-origin label claims that are qualified. These qualified claims would need to include a description on the package of all preparation and processing steps (including slaughter) that occurred in the United States upon which the claim is made. These would need to be positioned near the qualified claim and explain how the product compares to the regulatory criteria for use of the two authorized claims “Product of USA” and “Made in the USA.” For example, “Sliced and packaged in the United States using imported pork” could be a qualified claim. As with the two authorized claims “Product of USA” and “Made in the USA,” all qualified claims that meet the proposed regulatory requirements would be eligible for generic approval. The proposed rule would apply to domestic products. For product exported from the United States, FSIS would continue to verify that labeling requirements for the applicable country are met, as shown in the FSIS Export Library.
2023/2024 Rates Charged for AMS Services
AMS is announcing the 2023/2024 rates it will charge for voluntary grading, inspection, certification, auditing, and laboratory services for a variety of agricultural commodities including meat and poultry, fruits and vegetables, eggs, dairy products, rice, and cotton and tobacco. The 2023/2024 regular, overtime, holiday, and laboratory services rates will be applied at the beginning of the crop year, fiscal year or as required by law depending on the commodity.
FDA Allergen Compliance Policy Guide
The compliance guide is available here and addresses cross contact issues among other things. The draft guidance, when finalized, will replace existing guidance for FDA staff on FDA’s enforcement policy regarding major food allergen labeling.
IFT Report Recommends Collaboration and Innovation to Advance Food Traceability
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has released a report commissioned by the U.S. FDA that evaluates food traceability trends based on 90 submissions from teams that participated in FDA’s 2021 Low- or No-Cost Tech-Enabled Traceability Challenge. Read the full report here.
USDA Consumer Tips on Handling Meals Outdoors
USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Emilio Esteban released a press release reminding travelers to not let outdoor food become a feast for bacteria. USDA also gave some safety tips to keep in mind while planning a summer getaway.
AMS Continuance Referendum on Cranberry Marketing Order
USDA released a notice that directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible cranberry producers to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of cranberries grown in the States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Long Island in the State of New York. The referendum will be conducted June 9-30.
USDA, DHS Cut Ribbon on National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility
USDA and the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate officials celebrated the dedication and ribbon-cutting of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility. This facility, which offers the highest level of biocontainment laboratories and safety protocols, is the first of its kind in the United States and will allow scientists to study and diagnose critical animal diseases.
FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
This week’s updates are:
- An outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis (ref # 1156) linked to raw cookie dough has been added to the table. On 05/23/2023, FDA issued an Outbreak Advisory. Additionally, traceback, an onsite inspection, and sample collection and analysis have been initiated.
- An outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis (ref # 1155) in a not yet identified product has been added to the table. Traceback has been initiated.
- For the investigation of illnesses with a suspect vehicle of Morel mushrooms (ref # 1152), the FDA issued an advisory on 5/19/2023.
FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
FDA Import Alerts
The latest FDA import alerts include foreign establishments refusing FDA inspection, food products that appear to be misbranded, and pesticides.
FDA Warning Letters
Breeze Smoke, LLC |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Shenzhen Innokin Technology Co., Ltd. |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Champaklal Maganlal Homeo Pharmacy Private Limited |
Unapproved New Drugs/Misbranded |
Krishiv Foods, LLC |
Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) |
H.E.A.L. Marketplace |
New Drug/Misbranded |
Sure-Biochem Laboratories, LLC |
CGMP/Finished Pharmaceuticals/Adulterated |