- FSMA Proposed Rule for Food Traceability Published
- AMS Amends National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances In Organics per October 2020 and April 2021 NOSB Recommendations
- Update on Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Brie and Camembert Soft Cheese Products
- Listing of Color Additives Exempt From Certification; Spirulina Extract
- TTB Seeking Comments on Updates to Alcoholic Beverage Trade Practice Regulations
- FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
- FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
- FDA Import Alerts
- FDA Warning Letters
FSMA Proposed Rule for Food Traceability Published
FDA is proposing to establish additional traceability recordkeeping requirements (beyond what is already required in existing regulations) for persons who manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods the Agency has designated for inclusion on the Food Traceability List. Below is the proposed list of products that would be affected by this proposed rule:
- Cheeses, other than hard cheeses
- Shell eggs
- Nut butter
- Cucumbers (fresh)
- Herbs (fresh)
- Leafy greens (fresh), including fresh-cut leafy greens
- Melons (fresh)
- Peppers (fresh)
- Sprouts (fresh)
- Tomatoes (fresh)
- Tropical tree fruits (fresh)
- Fruits and Vegetables (fresh-cut)
- Finfish, including smoked finfish
- Crustaceans
- Mollusks, bivalves
- Ready-to-eat deli salads
An update with more detailed information will be sent from us next week.
AMS Amends National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances In Organics per October 2020 and April 2021 NOSB Recommendations
AMS has issued a final rule amending the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances section of the USDA organic regulations to implement recommendations submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture by the National Organic Standards Board. This rule allows low-acyl gellan gum, a food additive used as a thickener, gelling agent, and stabilizer, as an ingredient in processed organic products. This rule also allows paper-based crop planting aids for organic crop production. Finally, this rule replaces the term “wood resin” on the National List with the term “wood rosin” to reflect the popular spelling of the substance.
Update on Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Brie and Camembert Soft Cheese Products
The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to Brie and Camembert soft cheese products, including all baked Brie cheeses, manufactured by Old Europe Cheese, Inc. of Benton Harbor, MI, and sold at various retailers under multiple labels and brands. Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled products and should throw them away; this includes Best By Dates ranging from September 28, 2022, to December 14, 2022, and all flavors and quantities. An expanded list of recalled products and stores that potentially sold these products is available here.
Listing of Color Additives Exempt From Certification; Spirulina Extract
FDA is amending the color additive regulations to provide for the expanded safe use of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) extract as a color additive in alcoholic beverages with less than 20 percent alcohol-by-volume content, non-alcoholic beverages, condiments and sauces, dips, dairy product alternatives (identified as non-dairy yogurt alternatives, non-dairy frozen desserts, and non-dairy puddings), salad dressings, and seasoning mixes (unheated).
TTB Seeking Comments on Updates to Alcoholic Beverage Trade Practice Regulations
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is seeking public comment on TTB’s trade practice regulations related to the Federal Alcohol Administration Act’s exclusive outlet, tied house, commercial bribery, and consignment sales prohibitions.
FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
This week’s updates are:
- A new outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (reference #1127) in a not yet identified food has been added to the table and traceback has been initiated.
FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
- No New Updates
FDA Import Alerts
The latest FDA import alerts include foods containing undeclared/illegal colors, food products that appear to be misbranded, foods due to heavy metal contamination, and more.
FDA Warning Letters
FDA Warning Letters
Juice Mafia, Inc. dba Ecig-Works |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Honest Living Vape Shoppe & Apothecary |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
E-Cig POD USA LLC d/b/a e-cig POD |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Abraxis Bioscience LLC |
CGMP/Finished Pharmaceuticals/Adulterated |
NatureLab Corp. |
CGMP/Dietary Supplement/Adulterated |
Vape Crusades |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
The Anthos Group, Inc. |
Refusal to Provide Access to and Copying of Records |
Third Synthesis Inc., dba Chicago Sweet Connections, Inc. |
CGMP/Manufacturing, Packing or Holding Human Food/Adulterated/Insanitary Conditions |
Omega & Delta Co., Inc. |
CGMP/Finished Pharmaceuticals/Adulterated |