FDA to Hold Public Meeting on New Era of Smarter Food Safety
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will hold a public meeting on October 21, 2019, to hear from a broad cross-section of stakeholders on a modern approach, called “A New Era of Smarter Food Safety,” that the agency is planning to take to strengthen its protection of the food supply.
FDA is working towards enhancing its ongoing efforts to implement the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) by creating a more digital, traceable, and safer system to help protect consumers from contaminated food.
The meeting will be held at the Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Hotel, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852. It will include sessions on topics that include traceability, smarter tools for prevention, evolving business models and retail food safety, and food safety culture.
Register here.
FDA Annual Pesticide Report Finds that Pesticide Levels Remain Well Below Federal Limits
FDA issued the final results of its annual Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program from foods collected in Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 which found that the vast majority of samples were below the tolerance levels set by the EPA. The FDA evaluates foods annually for pesticide residues. Final results from the surveys are released after they have undergone a thorough quality assurance review.
FDA Establishment Identification Number Portal Open for Use
FDA has made a portal for looking up FDA Establishment Numbers available for use. The FEI number is different than the food facility registration number. The number is used to track inspections of regulated facilities or establishments. This includes food facilities, food business locations not required to register as “food facilities,” drug manufacturing sites, retail store locations, and more.
FDA Investigating Carcinogenic Impurities in Zantac (Ranitidine)
FDA has learned that some ranitidine medicines, including some products commonly known as the brand-name drug Zantac, contain a nitrosamine impurity called N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) at low levels. NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) based on results from laboratory tests. NDMA is a known environmental contaminant and found in water and foods, including meats, dairy products, and vegetables.
FDA is not calling for individuals to stop taking ranitidine at this time; however, patients taking prescription ranitidine who wish to discontinue use should talk to their health care professional about other treatment options. People taking OTC ranitidine could consider using other OTC medicines approved for their condition. There are multiple drugs on the market that are approved for the same or similar uses as ranitidine.
Mexico Moves Towards Mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Signs
The Mexican legislature is currently considering a proposal to have warning or “stop” sign labels on the front-of-pack labels for processed products and non-alcoholic beverages that inform consumers of “unhealthy” products, similar to the system currently used in Chile. On July 24, 2019, the Health Commission of the Mexico House of Representatives approved the proposed reforms to various articles of the General Health Law that would require the labeling changes. The proposal is now set to be voted on by the entire lower chamber.
FSIS to Host Labeling Webinar
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will host a webinar on generic labeling and label approval on September 25 at 1 p.m. ET. The webinar will provide an overview of the generic labeling regulations, including additional information related to the Label Submission and Approval System (LSAS). The webinar also will include a discussion on the steps establishments may take to streamline the label approval process.
To access the webinar, go to https://fsis-usda.webex.com/join/rosalyn.murphy-jenkins and follow the on-screen instructions. Use the following information when logging in: Meeting Number: 888-844-9904 Code: 2956126. For questions, contact Gianfranco Santaliz at 301-504-0878 or gianfranco.santaliz@usda.gov.
FDA Release Draft Guidance on Reconditioning Seafood
FDA has issued draft guidance for industry entitled “Reconditioning of Fish and Fishery Products by Segregation.” This draft guidance provides information to owners of fish and fishery products regarding the reconditioning of adulterated products and provides recommendations on how to demonstrate that portions of the affected articles are safe for consumption.
The draft guidance provides suggestions for:
- segregation based on a production-related rationale supported by production records identifying the cause of the adulteration and its restriction to only a portion of the article along with sampling and testing to confirm that the segregation was successful; or
- segregation based on the results of statistically significant sampling and testing.
AMS Issues a Final Rule Updating Grade Shields
The Agricultural Marketing Service of USDA has issued a final rule which updates grade shields among other matters relating to grading.
APHIS Proposing to Recognize Romania as Free of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of USDA has issued a proposed rule recognizing Romania as free of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and Newcastle Disease.
FSIS Receives Petition to Repeal Definition of Spring Lamb
FSIS has received a petition from The Lamb Company to repeal the definition of Spring Lamb. The petition contends the definition is obsolete and interferes with the ability of the company to market its “New Zealand Spring Lamb” product.
FSIS Issues Final Swine Slaughter Rule
The final rule has new requirements for microbial testing that apply to all swine slaughterhouses to demonstrate that they are controlling for pathogens throughout the slaughter system. Additionally, FSIS is amending its meat inspection regulations to establish a new inspection system for market hog establishments called the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System (NSIS).
In the final rule, FSIS amends the regulations to require all swine slaughter establishments to develop written sanitary dressing plans and implement microbial sampling to monitor process control for enteric pathogens that can cause foodborne illness. The final rule also allows market hog establishments to choose if they will operate under NSIS or continue to operate under traditional inspection.
New York Bans Flavored e-Cigarettes
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that New York State is the first state in the nation to implement a ban on the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes and nicotine e-liquids, following a vote on emergency regulations by the Public Health and Health Planning Council. The ban, which is now in effect, is the latest in a series of actions to combat the increase in young people using vape products, largely as a result of e-cigarette companies marketing flavors that are intended to get children addicted to nicotine.
Beekeepers Sue EPA Over Pesticide Action
The American Beekeeping Federation and Pollinator Stewardship Council has sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over its decision to loosen restrictions on the insecticide sulfoxaflor.
FSIS Updates Lists of Establishments from Ireland and Canada Eligible to Export to U.S.
Latest FDA Warning Letters
The latest FDA warning letters are:
Please contact Erik Lieberman at elieberman@usfoodimports.com or (202) 765-1800 if you have questions or would like additional information. |