A federal judge in California wants the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to settle on new achievable deadlines for implementing regulations set forth in the Food Safety Modernization Act. U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton used her federal bench in Oakland to chide FDA for “admittedly” failing to comply with the mandatory rule-making schedule contained… Continue Reading
Food Safety Modernization Act
FDA to Host Public FSMA Meetings in DC, Chicago and Portland
On Tuesday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the second and third public meetings, in addition to the recently-announced Washington, DC two-day meeting, it will host to discuss proposed rules for produce safety and preventive controls, as outlined by the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Details on those three meetings: Washington, DC February… Continue Reading
Publisher’s Platform: The Real Reasons FSMA Rules are Important
Opinion
All of us in food safety are gushing over the new FDA FSMA rules. Lets not forget why the rules – and adequate funding are important. Linda Rivera Abby Fenstermaker Stephanie Smith Paul Schwarz Dr. Michael Hauser Brianne Kiner The real reason that these new FDA rules are important, is that contaminated food sickened, and… Continue Reading
FDA Releases Two Long-Awaited Food Safety Rules
After a year-long delay, two sweeping new food safety rules that will for the first time mandate produce safety standards and preventive controls nationwide will be released today and published to the Federal Register on Monday, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “It’s a big deal that these two are coming out because… Continue Reading
FSMA Approaches Two-Year Anniversary as Components Languish
January 4, 2011 was a landmark day for food safety advocates nationwide. It was the day President Obama signed into law the first major piece of federal legislation concerning food safety since 1938: the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act. But as the act’s two-year anniversary approaches, many of its major components are stuck in the… Continue Reading
Advocates Praise FDA’s Sunland Suspension, Urge Action on FSMA
Prominent food safety advocates praised the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for using its newly granted authority Monday to suspend the registration of Sunland Inc., the nation’s largest organic peanut butter producer and the company tied to a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 41 people in 20 states. At the same time, the… Continue Reading
FDA Suspends Sunland Peanut Butter Plant
First use of agency's newly granted authority
For the first time in agency history, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday used its authority to suspend the registration of peanut butter processor Sunland Inc. of Portales, N.M., the plant connected to a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 41 people across 20 states. Without a proper FDA registration, Sunland —… Continue Reading
Obama Administration: Food Safety Rules Coming ASAP
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is still working “expeditiously” to implement major portions of the Food Safety Modernization Act, legislation that has largely sat in budgetary limbo since President Obama signed it into law on January 4, 2011 – nearly two years ago. “The Obama Administration is committed to food safety and… Continue Reading
Poll Shows Food Safety Confidence Slightly Decreased This Year
U.S. citizens are slightly less confident in the safety of the food supply compared to recent years, according to annual polling conducted by the Center for Food Integrity. As part of the CFI’s annual study tracking attitudes toward the food supply over time, the organization asked respondents a series of questions about food prices, animal… Continue Reading
After Three-Week Delay, FDA Begins Food Facility Registration
After a three week delay, food facilities are now able to register, or re-register, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Late last week the agency released revised guidance for industry to help food companies comply. Though the FDA is a bit behind the schedule mandated under the Food Safety Modernization Act, the deadline for… Continue Reading
Food Facility Registration Under FSMA Delayed
The Food Safety Modernization Act’s biennial food facility registration requirement was intended to go into effect Oct. 1, 2012; however since that day a yellow box has been posted on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website indicating that the agency is not currently accepting registration renewals. The food facility registration requirement of FSMA mandates… Continue Reading