Category: Legislation, Regulations and Standards
-
FDA Accepting Comments on Cultured Seafood Labeling
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has requested information “pertaining to the labeling of foods comprised of or containing cultured seafood cells,” which the agency notes are “being developed and may soon enter the marketplace.” “Animal cell culture technology involves the controlled growth of animal cells, their subsequent differentiation into various cell types, and…
-
FDA Proposes Additional Traceability Requirements for “High Risk” Foods
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a proposed update to traceability recordkeeping requirements for foods considered “high risk” as sources of foodborne illness. The proposed rule would apply to entities that manufacture, process, pack or hold foods on the Food Traceability List and would require companies to “establish and maintain records containing…
-
Health Advocacy Groups Submit Citizen Petition on Food Additives
Several advocacy groups, including the Environmental Defense Fund, American Academy of Pediatrics, Center for Food Safety and Consumer Reports, have submitted a citizen petition urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to “define key terms essential to consider the cumulative effect of a food additive, food contact substance, generally recognized as safe substance, or…
-
Berkeley Bans Soda and Candy Displays in Checkout Lanes
Berkeley, California, has reportedly passed an ordinance that will prevent grocery stores from displaying candy and soft drinks at the point of sale in an effort to encourage the consumption of food with more nutritional benefits, such as fruits and nuts. The ordinance, which applies to retailers with more than 2,500 square feet, states that…
-
FSIS Releases Updated Import Guidance
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced the availability of updated guidance on importing meat, poultry and eggs into the United States. According to the announcement, “FSIS revised and reorganized a section on industry supply chain best practices; clarified approaches to levels of reinspection; added information about generic labeling…
-
EFSA Sets Tolerable Intake of PFAS
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has released its assessment of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—a group of chemicals that can be found in food and food packaging—and their potential risks to human health. The agency has set the threshold for a group tolerable weekly intake of 4.4 nanograms per kilogram of body weight. EFSA noted that…
-
FDA Issues First Injunction Under Produce Safety Rule
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it has issued “the first consent decree of permanent injunction against a firm or grower for violating public safety standards under the Produce Safety Rule enacted under the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011.” Fortune Food Product Inc. will be prohibited from “growing, harvesting, packing…
-
USDA Extends Hemp Comment Period
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that it will provide an additional 30 days for public comments on the interim final rule (IFR) that established the Domestic Hemp Production Program. According to the announcement, “Comments are solicited from all stakeholders, notably those who were subject to the regulatory requirements of the IFR during the…