September 27, 2024

FDA Reminds Animal and Human Food Facilities to Register or Renew their Food Facility Registration (FFR) between October 1 and December 31, 2024

Owners, operators, or agents in charge of a domestic or foreign facility engaged in manufacturing/processing, packing, or holding food for consumption by humans or animals in the U.S., are required to register the facility with the FDA.

 

September 26, 2024

The FDA Updates Mycotoxins in Domestic and Imported Human Foods Compliance Program

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration updated the Mycotoxins in Domestic and Imported Human Foods Compliance Program to include the monitoring of additional mycotoxins of regulatory interest in human foods, specifically T-2/HT-2 toxins and zearalenone.

 

September 23, 2024

FDA Issues Updated Small Entity Compliance Guide for Produce Safety Regulation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of an updated guidance for industry entitled “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption: What You Need to Know About the FDA Regulation: Small Entity Compliance Guide” (SECG).

 

September 20, 2024

FDA Approves Nasal Spray Influenza Vaccine for Self- or Caregiver-Administration

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved FluMist for self- or caregiver-administration. FluMist is approved for the prevention of influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and B in individuals 2 through 49 years of age.

 

September 17, 2024

FDA Releases Results of Sampling of Retail Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate and Chocolate-Containing Products for Milk Allergen

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) and the Michigan State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), has released results from retail sampling of dark chocolate and chocolate-containing products labeled as “dairy free” that were collected and tested for unintended milk in 2022 and 2023.

 

September 11, 2024

Register for NIH-FDA Nutrition Regulatory Science Virtual Workshop

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) invite the public to register for the NIH-FDA Nutrition Regulatory Science WorkshopExternal Link Disclaimer, which will be held December 17- 18, 2024.

 

September 4, 2024

FDA to Host Webinar on Voluntary Sodium Reduction Goals (Edition 2) Draft Guidance and Preliminary Assessment of Progress

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) will host a stakeholder webinar on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 1:00 pm ET to provide an overview of the recently released draft guidance outlining new, voluntary targets for sodium reduction in foods, as well as a preliminary assessment of progress 2010-2022.

 

September 4, 2024

FDA Releases FY 2022 Pesticide Residue Monitoring Report

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration made available its annual Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program Report for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY 2022), summarizing findings from FDA testing of human and animal foods for 757 different pesticides and selected industrial compounds from October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2022.

 

September 4, 2024

Update from the Deputy Commissioner for Human Food – Enhancing Traceability: Insights from Reagan-Udall Foundation Roundtables and Upcoming Public Engagement

Jim Jones, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods visited food facilities and met with members of the food industry to learn more about the work they are doing to implement the Food Traceability Final Rule.August 30, 2024 

FDA Authorizes Updated Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine to Better Protect Against Currently Circulating Variants 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for an updated version of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine that more closely targets currently circulating variants to provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death.  

 

August 20, 2024 

Meeting Materials Added for the Public Meeting on Development of an Enhanced Systematic Process for FDA’s Post-Market Assessment of Chemicals in Food 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted materials for the public meeting on the Development of an Enhanced Systematic Process for FDA’s Post-Market Assessment of Chemicals in Food. 

 

August 15, 2024 

FDA Issues Warning Letter to Manufacturer of Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Products Containing Elevated Levels of Lead and Chromium 

On August 9, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a Warning Letter to AUSTROFOOD S.A.S. (Austrofood), the manufacturer of the apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches that were recalled last year and that were found to contain elevated levels of lead and chromium. 

 

August 15, 2024 

FDA Starts Next Phase of Sodium Reduction Efforts 

The FDA took another important step in its sodium reduction efforts. The agency has issued new, voluntary targets for sodium reduction in foods in a draft guidance that serves as Phase II of the agency’s ongoing work.  

 

August 13, 2024 

Save the Date for NIH-FDA Nutrition Regulatory Science Workshop 

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) invite the public to register for the NIH-FDA Nutrition Regulatory Science Workshop, which will be held December 17- 18, 2024. 

July 26, 2024

FDA Releases Summary Report on Fresh Herbs Sampling Assignment

The FDA released findings from a sampling assignment that collected and tested both domestic and imported fresh basil, cilantro, and parsley. The assignment sought to estimate the prevalence of Cyclospora cayetanensis, Salmonella spp., and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in the herbs.

July 25, 2024

FDA Announces National Academies Study of Supply, Market Competition, and Regulation of Infant Formula in the U.S.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) released a report of its independent study on challenges in supply, market competition, and regulation of infant formula in the United States. The FDA contracted with NASEM to perform this study to help inform the agency’s forthcoming long-term national strategy to increase the resiliency of the U.S. infant formula supply.

July 2, 2024

FDA Revokes Regulation Allowing the Use of Brominated Vegetable Oil

The FDA revoked the regulation authorizing the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food. The agency concluded that the intended use of BVO in food is no longer considered safe after the results of studies conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found the potential for adverse health effects in humans.

June 28, 2024

FDA Releases Update on Priority Guidance Topic for Foods Program
The FDA released the draft and final guidance topics that are a priority for the agency’s Foods Program to complete during 2024.

June 28, 2024

Update on Ongoing Work to Ensure Continued Effectiveness of the Federal-State Milk Safety System

The FDA, along with federal partners at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, announced results from a first-of-its-kind study using the process typically used by commercial milk processors with the intent to further confirm that pasteurization is effective at inactivating Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) virus in fluid milk and other dairy products made from pasteurized milk.

June 18, 2024

FDA Takes Additional Steps Following Investigation of Elevated Lead and Chromium Levels in Apple Cinnamon Puree Products

The FDA is continuing to take steps following the investigation of lead and chromium in apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches this past fall that was prompted by findings of elevated blood lead levels in children.

June 7, 2024

FDA and Federal Partners Conclude Study on the Role of Seafood Consumption in Child Growth and Development

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine published the final version of the FDA co-sponsored report “The Role of Seaford in Child Growth and Development.”

June 5, 2024

FDA and Partners in the Southwest Growing Region Share Findings from Multi-year Environmental Study

The FDA shared preliminary findings from a multi-year environmental study that sought to better understand the ecology of human pathogens in the environment in the Southwest agricultural region, particularly how pathogens survive, move, and possibly contaminate produce prior to harvest, so that the agricultural community can work together to identify best practices to enhance food safety.

May 31, 2024

FDA Announces Sufficient Capacity to Test for Mycotoxins Under FSMA Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods Program

The FDA announced that sufficient laboratory capacity has been reached for certain import-related food testing, specifically for mycotoxins, under the Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) program.

May 30, 2024

FDA Extends Comment Period for the Draft Introduction and Appendix 1 to the Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule Draft Guidance

The FDA extended the comment period by an additional 60 days; the new deadline for comments is August 2, 2024.

May 15, 2024

FDA Update on the Post-market Assessment of Tara Flour

The FDA posted on its website its determination that tara flour in human food does not meet the Generally Recognized As Safe (or GRAS) standard and is an unapproved food additive.

May 2, 2024

FDA Publishes Landmark Final Rule to Enhance the Safety of Agricultural Water

The FDA published a final rule on agricultural water that represents an important step toward enhancing the safety of produce. The revised requirements are intended to improve the safety of water used in produce cultivation and designed to be practical across various agricultural water systems, uses, and practices.

April 25, 2024

FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Sampling Recommendations for Seafood Subject to DWPE

The FDA reopened the comment period on the draft guidance “Recommendations for Collecting Representative Samples for Food Testing Used as Evidence for Release of Certain Fish and Fishery Products Subject to Detention Without Physical Examination (DWPE) and Removal of a Foreign Manufacturer’s Goods from DWPE.” Comments are due by June 25, 2024.

April 9, 2024

FDA and Stop Foodborne Illness Co-Host 5/9 Live Webinar to Explore “Food Safety Culture”

The FDA announced the date for the 11^th and final webinar in  the series “Collaborating on Culture in the New Era of Smarter Food Safety.” Scheduled for May 9, 2024, the webinar “The Journey Continues” will be streamed live from 5:15 pm to 6:30 pm ET from the 2024 Food Safety Summit.

April 8, 2024

FDA Releases Report on Economically Motivated Adulteration in Honey

The FDA released data from a sampling assignment carried out in 2022 and 2023 to test imported honey for economically motivated adulteration. The sampling was designed to identify products that contained undeclared sweeteners that are less expensive than honey, such as syrups from cane and corn.

March 21, 2024

Update on FDA and Federal Partners Launch Study on the Role of Seafood Consumption in Child Growth and Development

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released a pre-publication version of the FDA-sponsored report, The Role of Seafood in Child Growth and Development. The FDA and other co-sponsors are reviewing the report’s findings and look forward to its final release in May 2024.

March 21, 2024

FDA Issues Final Rule to Revise Procedures and Update Reasons for Revoking the Authorizations for Food Contact Substances

The FDA issued a final rule to amend its regulations (21 CFR 170.105 and 21 CFR 170.102) on how and when the FDA may determine that a food contact notification is no longer effective.

March 5, 2024

FDA Issues Final Guidance on New Dietary Ingredient Notification Procedures and Timeframes

The FDA announced the availability of a final guidance for industry intended to help manufacturers and distributors of new dietary ingredients (NDIs) and dietary supplements prepare and submit new dietary ingredient notifications (NDINs) to the FDA.

March 4, 2024

FDA Update on Post-market Assessment of Chemicals in the Food Supply

The FDA updated its list of select chemicals currently under the agency’s review to provide more insight on the status of the FDA’s post-market assessments of chemicals in the food supply.

March 1, 2024

FDA Announces Qualified Health Claim for Yogurt and Reduced Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

The FDA announced in a letter of enforcement discretion that it does not intend to object to the use of certain qualified health claims regarding the consumption of yogurt and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, provided that the qualified health claims are worded so as not to mislead consumers, and that other factors for the use of the claim are met.

 

February 22, 2024

FDA Releases Guidance on Voluntary Premarket Engagement for Foods Derived from Plants Produced Using Genome Editing

In support of innovation and more food choices for consumers, the FDA issued a guidance for industry that describes how firms can voluntarily engage with the FDA before marketing food from genome-edited plants.

 

February 21, 2024

FDA Releases Report on Coordinated Inspections and Sampling at Leafy Greens Farms in the Salinas Valley, CA

The FDA released a report on focused inspections, conducted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and sampling, conducted by the FDA, at farms growing leafy greens in the Salinas Valley, CA, during the region’s 2022 harvest season.

 

February 9, 2024

FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Sampling Recommendations for Seafood Subject to DWPE

The FDA issued draft guidance for industry titled “Recommendations for Collecting Representative Samples for Food Testing Used as Evidence for Release of Certain Fish and Fishery Products Subject to Detention Without Physical Examination (DWPE) and Removal of a Foreign Manufacturer’s Goods from DWPE”

 

February 5, 2024

FDA Withdraws Guidance for Industry on Enforcement Approach to Human Food with Chlorpyrifos Residues

The FDA withdrew a 2022 guidance document titled “Questions and Answers Regarding Channels of Trade Policy for Human Food Commodities with Chlorpyrifos Residues,” following a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to vacate, or void, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) final rule that revoked all tolerances for the pesticide chemical chlorpyrifos. EPA is amending its regulations to reflect the current legal status of the chlorpyrifos tolerances. 

January 30, 2024

FDA Publishes Revised Draft Introduction and Appendix to the Preventive Controls for Human Food Guidance

The FDA released a revised draft Introduction and Appendix 1 to the multi-chapter draft guidance for industry titled “Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food: Draft Guidance for Industry” (PCHF Draft Guidance).

 

January 25, 2024

FDA Lists Regulations Under Development and Updates Priority Guidance Topics for Foods Program

To increase transparency and assist stakeholders by highlighting its regulatory agenda, the FDA’s Foods Program posted a new website listing regulations it plans to publish by October 2024 and longer-term regulations it is prioritizing for publication at a later date.

 

January 24, 2024

FDA Launches Tech-Enabled Traceability Video Series

The FDA published its first video in an educational series focused on how food companies’ use of tech-enabled traceability can enhance food safety and protect consumers from foodborne illness.

 

January 8, 2024

FDA Releases the CORE 2022 Annual Report: Investigations of Foodborne Outbreaks and Adverse Events in FDA-Regulated Foods

The FDA Coordinated Outbreak Response & Evaluation (CORE) Network released its first annual report summarizing the investigations of foodborne outbreaks and adverse events in FDA-regulated human foods for the 2022 calendar year. 

December 31, 2023

Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition Voluntarily Recalls Certain Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Powdered Infant Formula Products

The FDA alerted parents, caregivers, and health care providers that Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition had voluntarily recalled certain Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder products due to possible contamination.

 

December 13, 2023

FDA Provides Update on Actions to Strengthen the Safety and Supply Chain Resiliency of Infant Formula

The FDA provided an update on actions the agency has taken, and those underway, to strengthen the safety and resiliency of the supply of nutritious infant formula.

 

December 13, 2023

FDA Completes Final Administrative Actions on Partially Hydrogenated Oils in Foods

The FDA announced that December 22, 2023 is the effective date for the direct final rule regarding the revocation of uses of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) in food. 

November 30, 2023

FDA Rolls Out Third Wave of New FAQs and Tools for the Food Traceability Rule to Assist Stakeholders

The FDA rolled out new tools and frequently asked questions that will continue to inform stakeholders about the Food Traceability Rule and help covered entities come into compliance.

 

November 22, 2023

FDA Shares Information on Redundancy Risk Management Plans for Critical Food Manufacturers

The FDA published a new resource for industry on the new requirement for manufacturers of critical foods to develop a redundancy risk management plan.

 

November 17, 2023
FDA Updates Leafy Green STEC Action Plan

The FDA updated its Leafy Green STEC Action Plan (LGAP). The LGAP was first released in 2020 following a number of reoccurring outbreaks linked to leafy greens that were caused by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).

 

November 2, 2023

FDA Proposed Rule to Revoke Regulation Allowing the Use of Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) in Food
The FDA proposed to revoke the regulation authorizing the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food, an action that is part of the agency’s regulatory authority over ingredients added to food, which includes reassessing previously evaluated food ingredients and addressing safety concerns.

October 31, 2023
FDA Proposed Amendments to its Regulation for Prior Notice of Imported Human and Animal Food
The FDA uses prior notice information to determine what products should be inspected upon arrival into the United States.

October 26, 2023
FDA Raises Concerns About Probiotic Products Sold for Use in Hospitalized Preterm Infants
As part of the FDA’s commitment to protecting public health, the agency advised the public, including healthcare providers, of the possible risks that products containing live bacteria or yeast, which are commonly called probiotics, pose to preterm infants in hospital settings.

 

October 24, 2023
FDA Releases FY 2021 Pesticide Residue Monitoring Report
The FDA made available its annual Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program Report for Fiscal Year 2021, summarizing findings from FDA testing of human and animal foods for approximately 750 different pesticides and selected industrial compounds from October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021.

 

October 19, 2023
FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Commits to Fulfilling Vision of Proposed Program
Statement from James Jones, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, Food and Drug Administration, about the FDA’s proposed framework for a unified Human Foods Program and new model for the Office of Regulatory Affairs.

 

October 6, 2023
FDA Issues Updated Compliance Program for Infant Formula
The FDA updated its infant formula compliance program for FDA investigators, laboratory analysts, and compliance officers.

September 28, 2023

FDA Finalizes Draft Guidance for Sprout Operations under the Produce Safety Rule, Releases Certain Sections as Revised Draft Guidance

The FDA released two guidance documents that outline recommendations for how sprout operations may comply with the Produce Safety Rule.

 

September 26, 2023

FDA Releases Two New Chapters of Draft Guidance for the Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule

The FDA announced the availability of two new chapters to the Draft Guidance for Industry: Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food, designed to help food facilities comply with the preventive controls for human food rule mandated by FSMA.

 

September 20, 2023
FDA Provides Update on the Cronobacter Prevention Strategy
The FDA provided an update on its work to advance its strategy to help prevent Cronobacter sakazakii illnesses associated with consumption of powdered infant formula.

 

September 18, 2023
FDA to Hold Virtual Public Meeting and Listening Sessions on Strategies to Reduce Added Sugars Consumption in the United States

The FDA invites the public to register for a virtual public meeting and listening sessions to explore what federal agencies, communities, and private industry are doing to encourage the reduced consumption of added sugars.

 

September 1, 2023
National Food Safety Education Month 2023 – People at Higher Risk
In recognition of National Food Safety Education Month 2023, the FDA brought special attention to people who are at higher risk and help them, their family members, and caregivers by highlighting food safety information to avoid foodborne illness.

USDA Recalls

March 21, 2024

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ineligible Frozen Siluriformes Products Imported from the People’s Republic of China

WASHINGTON, March. 21, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for imported frozen Siluriformes products that were illegally…

March 13, 2024

Taylor Farms Pacific Recalls Kroger Brand Ready-To-Eat Apple Walnut With Chicken Salad Bowl Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2024 – Taylor Farms Pacific, a Tracy, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 19,976 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) apple walnut with chicken salad bowl products due to misbranding…

March 10, 2024

Jen’s Breakfast Burritos, LLC, Recalls Ready to Eat Breakfast Burrito Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2024 – Jen’s Breakfast Burritos, LLC, an Auburn, Wash. establishment, is recalling approximately 144 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) breakfast burrito products that may be adulterated with Listeria…

March 7, 2024

Salm Partners, LLC, Recalls Johnsonville Polish Kielbasa Turkey Sausage Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2024 – Salm Partners, LLC, a Denmark, Wis., establishment, is recalling approximately 35,430 pounds of Johnsonville turkey kielbasa sausage that may be contaminated with foreign materials, specifically…

March 2, 2024

CJ Foods Manufacturing Beaumont Corporation Recalls Trader Joe’s Chicken Soup Dumplings Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, March 2, 2024 – CJ Foods Manufacturing Beaumont Corporation, a Beaumont, Calif., establishment, is recalling approximately 61,839 pounds of steamed chicken soup dumpling products that may be contaminated with…