After a magistrate judge ruled that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration must act on its long-standing proposal to ban the use of three antibiotics in animal feed because they may contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria, FDA is appealing the decision. In a notice dated May 21, FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, Director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine Bernadette Dunham and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius together filed an appeal with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn the March decision.
The ruling came after a coalition of 5 nonprofit organizations filed a suit demanding that FDA take action on an announcement it made 35 years earlier in 1977 that it would ban the use of penicillin and two types of tetracycline in animal feed in light of evidence that this practice was contributing to antibiotic-resistant strains of human pathogens. If upheld, the decision will mandate FDA to follow through with drug company hearings that it must conduct in order to determine whether these drugs are indeed a threat to human health. If the antibiotics are found to be dangerous to humans, FDA must see that they are withdrawn from the market for use in animal feed.
The News Desk team at Food Safety News covers breaking developments, regulatory updates, recalls, and key topics shaping food safety today. These articles are produced collaboratively by our editorial staff.
The American peanut industry has made major efforts to improve controls on exports to Europe, but aflatoxin contamination remains a problem, according to the European Commission.
An audit by DG
An analysis of official controls in Norway and Iceland has revealed effective oversight overall with some recurring weaknesses.
Norway and Iceland are part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
Bongkrekic acid and the illegal use of a substance to give the appearance of fish freshness were examples of emerging risks discussed in a recent report about problems in Europe
Alasko brand frozen whole raspberries are being recalled in Canada because of contamination with norovirus.
This recall was triggered by findings by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency during its investigation
Danone USA is recalling of So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert pints with best-by dates on and before April 3, 2028, because consumers complained
Sri Lanka has unveiled its first national food safety policy with six themes including improving food controls, strengthening surveillance, and enhancing standards.
Developed by the Ministry of Health and Mass
Whole Foods Market of Austin, TX, is recalling Fromagerie Coop de Mean Cabricharme cheese because the product contains egg lysozyme, an egg white protein, which is not declared on the
