Food Industry Regulatory Update September 13, 2024

September 13, 2024

In This Week’s Edition:

FSIS Animal Raising Labeling Claims
FTC Announces Tentative Agenda for September 19 Open Commission Meeting
NOP; Additional Filing Codes for Organic Message Set in ACE
Meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee
Status Chart for Active Equivalence Requests; Slovenia 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

FSIS Animal Raising Labeling Claims

FSIS is announcing the availability of an updated version of its guideline on documentation needed to support animal-raising or environment-related claims on meat or poultry product labeling. Official establishments submit this documentation to the Agency when they apply for approval of labels with animal-raising or environment-related claims. The updated guideline includes changes made in response to updated scientific information, FSIS sampling data, ask FSIS questions, public comments, petitions, and other meetings with Agency stakeholders.

FTC Announces Tentative Agenda for September 19 Open Commission Meeting

Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina M. Khan announced that an open meeting of the Commission will be held virtually on Thursday, September 19, 2024. The open meeting will commence at 11 a.m. ET and will begin with time for members of the public to address the Commission. The meeting will address the consumer reviews rule among other things.

NOP; Additional Filing Codes for Organic Message Set in ACE

USDA’s NOP will no longer allow the use of the temporary filing code (999-999-T) in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) for organic entries without an NOP Import Certificate. Shipments using the temporary code after September 19, 2024, will be subject to adverse actions and/or additional enforcement actions. Also, the AMS AM8 tariff flag will be enforced with a reject severity in ACE Production. AM7 flags will continue to be enforced with a warning severity.

Meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee

USDA is announcing a meeting on Oct. 8 and 9 of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee. This meeting is being convened to examine the full spectrum of fruit and vegetable industry issues and provide recommendations and ideas on how the USDA can tailor programs and services to better meet the needs of the U.S. produce industry. Agenda items may include, but are not limited to, administrative matters and consideration of recommendations pertaining to labor and production, food safety, infrastructure and sustainability, consumption and nutrition, and data reporting and analysis.

Status Chart for Active Equivalence Requests; Slovenia Update

FSIS has updated the chart that lists active equivalence requests for eligibility to export meat, poultry or, egg products. Slovenia has been added to the chart.

FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update

This week’s updates are:

For the outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis (ref #1250) linked to recalled eggs sourced from Milo’s Poultry Farms, LLC, an outbreak advisory was issued. Refer to the advisory for additional information. FDA has initiated traceback.
For the outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 (ref #1249) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count has increased from 26 to 27.
For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1247) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count has increased from 3 to 4.
For the outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis illnesses (ref #1245) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count has increased from 50 to 54.
For the outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis illnesses (ref #1237) linked to a not yet identified product, FDA has initiated inspections.
For the outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium (ref #1234) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count has increased from 89 to 90.