Food Industry Regulatory Update September 24, 2021

In This Week’s Edition:

FSIS Updates Guidance on Regulation and Labeling Meal Kits
FDA Issues Final Rule on Unapproved Animal Drug Residues in Food
USDA Takes Steps to Build More Sustainable, Resilient and Inclusive Food Systems
FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
FDA Takes Steps to Improve Quality and Safety of Sunscreens
USDA Announces Intent to Establish an Equity Commission, Solicits Nominations for Membership
FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
FDA Import Alerts
FDA Warning Letters

FSIS Updates Guidance on Regulation and Labeling Meal Kits

The guidance is updated in the following ways:

Announces that FSIS no longer will provide mandatory inspection services for the assembly of kits as described in this guideline, and that such kits are eligible for FSIS voluntary inspection under 9 CFR 350.3(c);
Clarifies that the guideline does not apply to products produced under the retail exemption;
Clarifies that a kit named as an FSIS standardized product must meet the standard when prepared; and
Clarifies that when an official establishment places a kit assembled without FSIS inspection into a container for shipping, the establishment may not apply the USDA inspection legend to the outer container.

FDA Issues Final Rule on Unapproved Animal Drug Residues in Food

The rule establishes procedures by which FDA may establish, amend, or revoke tolerances for residues of new animal drugs in any edible portion of any animal imported into the United States (import tolerances). These import tolerances provide a basis for the legal marketing of such animal-derived food.

USDA Takes Steps to Build More Sustainable, Resilient and Inclusive Food Systems

At the United Nations Food Systems Summit this week, USDA highlighted $5 billion in planned investments and several steps it has taken to advance the goals of ending hunger and malnutrition and building more sustainable, resilient and inclusive food systems.

FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update

This week’s updates are:

The Outbreak of Salmonella Weltevreden linked to shrimp has ended and the investigation has closed.
Sample collection and analysis have been initiated for the outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg.
On-site inspection has been initiated for the outbreak of Salmonella Thompson and the case count has increased.
The case count has increased for the outbreak of Cyclospora (1026).
The case count has increased for the outbreak of Cyclospora (1020).

CORE Investigation Table

FDA Takes Steps to Improve Quality and Safety of Sunscreens

FDA has proposed revisions and updates to requirements related to maximum sun protection factor (SPF) values, active ingredients, broad spectrum requirements, and product labeling, among other provisions.

USDA Announces Intent to Establish an Equity Commission, Solicits Nominations for Membership

USDA will establish an Equity Commission and is requesting nominations for membership on the Equity Commission Advisory Committee and Equity Commission Subcommittee on Agriculture. This action represents a step towards implementing President Biden’s commitment to create an Equity Commission and the American Rescue Plan Act provision that directs USDA to “address historical discrimination and disparities in the agriculture sector… [through] one or more equity commissions to address racial equity issues within USDA and its programs.”