Food Law and Labeling News |
|
|
| Jul, 2008 |
FDA "Third Party Certification Programs for Foods & Feeds"
The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is announcing the
availability of a draft guidance for
industry entitled ‘‘Voluntary Third-
Party Certification Programs for Foods
and Feeds.’’ This draft guidance
describes the general attributes FDA
believes a voluntary third-party
certification program should have in
order to help ensure its certification is
a reliable reflection that the foods and
feeds from certified establishments are
safe and meet applicable FDA
requirements.
DATES: Although you can comment on
any guidance at any time (see 21 CFR
10.115(g)(5)), to ensure that the agency
considers your comment on this draft
guidance before it begins work on the
final version of the guidance, submit
written or electronic comments on the
draft guidance by September 8, 2008
July 10, 2008 Federal Register Notice
Draft Guidance
|
| Jul, 2008 |
Canada Issues Food Allergen Labeling Proposal
Health Canada published its Proposed Amendments to the Food Allergen Labelling Regulations in Canada Gazette, Part I (CGI) on July 26, 2008 to allow for public comment. Health Canada will take into consideration any comments received during the 90-day comment period before bringing the final regulations forward and publishing them in the Canada Gazette, Part II.
At the same time, Health Canada also issued updated guidance to industry, urging food manufacturers to enhance labelling of priority allergens, gluten sources and added sulphites in prepackaged foods.
Food Allergen Labeling Proposal
|
| May, 2008 |
TTB Announces Consumer Corner Website
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has announced the availablity of a Consumer Corner Website. It provides information on the agency and its responsibilities as well as issues that are or may be of interest to consumers.
Consumer Corner Website
|
| May, 2008 |
TTB Implements Certification Requirements for Imported Natural Wine
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax
and Trade Bureau (TTB)is adopting as a final
rule, without changes, the temporary
regulations implementing the
certification requirements regarding
production practices and procedures for
imported natural wine. These
requirements were adopted in section
2002 of the Miscellaneous Trade and
Technical Corrections Act of 2004 as an
amendment to section 5382 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Effective Date: This final rule is
effective on May 28, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Berry, Alcohol and Tobacco
Tax and Trade Bureau, Regulations and
Rulings Division, P.O. Box 18152,
Roanoke, VA 24014; telephone 540–
344–9333.
April 28, 2008 Federal Register Final Rule
|
| May, 2008 |
TTB Issues Guidance for Imported Wine Certification
Imported natural wine produced after December 31, 2004, must have the required certification. TTB is providing guidance and a convenient format for the certification.
There is also a useful Question-and-Answer Section
Certification Requirements for Imported Wine
|
| May, 2008 |
Canada Issues Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan
Canada's food supply is increasingly global in nature and many Canadians are seeking clearer information about the foods they buy. Recognizing this, the Government of Canada is taking action to improve the labelling information on food products and to help Canadians make better purchasing decisions.
Following the launch of the Healthy Canadians website on October 24th, 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Canada's Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan on December 17th, 2007, with the goal of ensuring Canada's product safety standards are second to none.
As part of the Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan, the Government committed to reviewing the policy on the use of "Product of Canada" and "Made in Canada" claims on food labels and advertising.
Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan
Healthy Canadians Website
|
| Apr, 2008 |
FDA Launches Guide to Help Consumers Make Healthier Choices
The FDA has published a brochure that is intended to assist consumers in making healthier food choices by teaching them how to read the food label. The focus is on the Nutrition Facts Panel, but label claims are also explained. The agency is also urging consumers to request nutrition information in full-service and fast- food restaurants. There are useful links if a consumer needs or wants more detailed information.
FDA Consumer Food Label Brochure
|
| Apr, 2008 |
Food Labeling Guide Update
The FDA has finally updated the "Guidance for Food Industry -- Food Labeling Guide." It is the first revision in many years. The Guide is presented in a question-and-answer format with examples of label formats, charts explaining rounding rules and detailed explanations of various claims. It is a useful, easy-to-understand resource guide. The 102-page document is also available in a printable format.
Food Labeling Guide
|
| Apr, 2008 |
FDA Updates Bioterrorism Compliance Rates
In a recent notice, FDA announced the compliance rates of domestic and foreign facilities and what possible action is being considered for companies who continue to refuse to comply. To date, more foreign facilities than domestic have met the registration requirements. Of the 198,271 foreign companies registered, 3,668 are in Germany. US companies total 142,159. The FDA anticipates 420,000 registrations in total, however, only 340,430 have done so.
FDA Food Facility Registration Compliance Report
|
| Apr, 2008 |
FSIS Announces Changes to Omaha Tech Center
The Food Safety & Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced recent changes in the Office of Policy and Program Development (OPPD). They are also informing industry and trade how they can contact the Policy Development Division (PDD), formerly known as the Technical Service Center,located in Omaha, more effectively.
The agency has simplified and provided detailed information for contacting the correct department with a particular question or problem.
FSIS Notice 26-08 - Contacting PDD (Formerly Technical Service Center)
|
| Apr, 2008 |
Food Protection Plan Outreach Activities
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that it
is establishing a public docket to receive information and comments
related to its comprehensive Food Protection Plan (the Plan) released
in November 2007. The new Plan presents a robust strategy to protect
the nation's food supply from both unintentional contamination and
deliberate attack. FDA is establishing this docket for the purpose of
soliciting comments from its stakeholders on the Plan and the questions
set forth in this notice.
Submit written or electronic comments by July 31, 2008.
Federal Register Announcement
|
| Apr, 2008 |
FDA Announces Plan for Third Party Certification Programs for Foods
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requesting comments
on the use of third-party certification programs for foods and feeds,
including pet foods. An increasing number of firms that sell foods to
the public, such as retailers and food service providers, are
requesting that their suppliers become certified as meeting food (and
feed) safety and quality standards as a condition of doing business.
FDA seeks more information on the existence and use of these types of
programs to better understand how they can help to ensure that food
products are safe, secure, and meet FDA requirements.
Comments must be submitted by May 19, 2008
Federal Register Announcement
|
| Feb, 2008 |
FDA Plans to Post Inspectors Overseas
The January 25, 2008 New York Times On the Web reported that FDA Commissioner Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach intends to post inspectors in embassies and consulates throughout the developing world in hopes of improving the quality of food and medicines increasingly flowing to the United States.
Details are still unclear as to how this program will be funded or when it will be implemented. The plans are still in their infancy. Regions envisioned for staffing include: India, China, Europe, Middle East, Central and South America.
Dr. von Eschenbach still needs to work out with the State Department how inspectors might interact with other parts of the federal government. In addition, host nations would have to request their presence, he said.
FDA Plans to Post Inspectors Overseas
|
| Feb, 2008 |
Possible New Nutrition Reference Values and Declarations
The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) issued an
advance notice of proposed rulemaking
(ANPRM) to request comment on what
new reference values the agency should
use to calculate the percent daily value
(DV) in the Nutrition Facts and
Supplement Facts labels and what
factors the agency should consider in
establishing such new reference values.
In addition, FDA requests comments on
whether it should require that certain
nutrients be added or removed from the
Nutrition Facts and Supplement Facts
labels. Comments on what factors
should be considered to update the
agency’s reference values will inform
any FDA rulemaking that may result
from this ANPRM.
DATES: Submit written or electronic
comments by January 31, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by Docket No. 2006N–0168,
by any of the following methods:
Electronic Submissions
Federal Register ANPRM Notice
|
| Feb, 2008 |
FDA Comment Extension for Nutrition Labeling Reference Values
The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is extending to
April 30, 2008, the comment period for
the advance notice of proposed
rulemaking (ANPRM) that appeared in
the Federal Register of November 2,
2007 (72 FR 62149). In the ANPRM,
FDA requested comments on what new
reference values the agency should use
to calculate the percent daily value (DV)
in the Nutrition Facts and Supplement
Facts labels and what factors the agency
should consider in establishing such
new reference values. In addition, FDA
requested comments on whether it
should require that certain nutrients be
added or removed from the Nutrition
Facts and Supplement Facts labels. The
agency is taking this action in response
to requests for an extension to allow
interested persons additional time to
submit comments.
Federal Register Comment Extension Notice
|
| Feb, 2008 |
Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements - Proposal
To help prevent terrorist weapons from being transported to
the United States, vessel carriers bringing cargo to the United States
are currently required to transmit certain information to Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) about the cargo they are transporting prior to
lading that cargo at foreign ports of entry. This document proposes to
require both importers and carriers to submit additional information
pertaining to cargo before the cargo is brought into the United States
by vessel. CBP must receive this information by way of a CBP-approved
electronic data interchange system. The information required is
reasonably necessary to further improve the ability of CBP to identify
high-risk shipments so as to prevent smuggling and ensure cargo safety
and security. The proposed regulations are specifically intended to
fulfill the requirements of section 203 of the Security and
Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act of 2006 and section 343(a) of
the Trade Act of 2002, as amended by the Maritime Transportation
Security Act of 2002.
Proposed Rule in January 2, 2008 Federal Register
|
| Feb, 2008 |
Comment Extension Importer Security Filing & Additional Carrier Reqts
The Federal Register announcement on February 1, 2008 provides an additional 15 days for interested persons to submit comments on the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations
to require both importers and carriers to
submit additional information pertaining to cargo before the cargo is brought into the United States by vessel.
The proposed rule was published in the
Federal Register on January 2, 2008,
and the comment period was scheduled
to expire on March 3, 2008.
DATES: Comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before March 18,
2008.
February 2, 2008 Federal Register Comment Extension Notice
|
| Feb, 2008 |
Customs Summary of Importer Security Filing Proposal
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has published on January 2, 2008 a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) requiring importers and carriers to electronically submit additional information on cargo before it is brought into the United States by vessel. The Security Filing, also known as "Security Filiung 10+2" is another step in the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) strategy to better assess and identify high-risk shipments to prevent terrorist weapons and materials from entering the United States.
The Customs Website provides a useful and easy-to-understand overview of the proposal
Customs Summary of Additional Cargo Information Proposal
|
| Jan, 2008 |
FDA Establishes Food Protection Plan
FDA has developed a comprehensive Food Protection Plan to address the changes in food sources, production, and consumption that we face in today's world. Building upon and improving an already sound food safety protection capability, the new plan presents a robust strategy to protect the nation's food supply from both unintentional contamination and deliberate attack. FDA's Food Protection Plan builds in prevention first, then intervention, and finally, response. This new strategy will help ensure that Americans continue to benefit from one of the safest food supplies in the world.
FDA Food Protection Plan
|
| Jan, 2008 |
HHS Unveils Plan to Strengthen, Update Food Safety Efforts
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced a comprehensive initiative by the Food and Drug Administration designed to bolster efforts to better protect the nation's food supply. The Food Protection Plan proposes the use of science and a risk-based approach to ensure the safety of domestic and imported foods eaten by American consumers.
HHS Deputy Secretary Tevi Troy and FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach, M.D., presented the Food Protection Plan at a press conference in Washington, D.C.
Food Safety Plan Press Release
|
|
|
:: Food Law & Labeling
:: Whats New in EU and Germany
:: Exporting to the US
:: Exporting to Canada
:: For Exporters Only
Research and guidelines for exporters...
Food Law and Labeling News...
Foods and beverages...
|
