The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a statement on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food following a presentation published in the media that indicated the agency found the substances in meat, fish and chocolate. "Overall, our findings did not detect PFAS in the vast majority of the foods tested," the statement reads. "In addition, based on the best available current science, the FDA does not have any indication that these substances are a human health concern, in other words a food safety risk in human food, at the levels found in this limited sampling. These data give our scientists a benchmark to use as we continue our critical work studying this emerging area of science."
Category Archives U.S. Government and Regulatory Agencies
President Donald Trump has reportedly signed an executive order that directs federal agencies to simplify the path to regulatory approval for genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The order also apparently recommends that trading partners should be urged to take similar approaches to regulating GMOs.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has finalized guidance on labeling for added sugars in single-ingredient packages of "pure honey, pure maple syrup, and other pure sugars and syrups, which are not required to bear the words 'Includes Xg Added Sugars' but must still include the percent Daily Value (DV) for added sugars on their labels." The agency also indicated its intention "to exercise enforcement discretion with respect to the use of truthful and not misleading statements on single-ingredient packages and/or containers."
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has indicated that it will seek public comment on a proposal that would allow the accreditation of third-party certification bodies "to conduct food safety audits of eligible foreign food facilities, and issue food and facility certifications, pursuant to the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act." The notice responds to a number of comments received following a comment period on the proposed collection of information, including a note that the third-party certification system could help the government "prevent potentially harmful food from reaching U.S. consumers and thereby improve the safety of the U.S. food supply" because current resources are limited.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services have announced meetings to hear public comments on the 2020 dietary guidelines revisions. The 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee will allow three-minute pre-registered comments from the public at its meetings on July 11, 2019, and January 25, 2020, and registration for the July meeting closes at 5:00 p.m. on July 1.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent a letter to food and beverage manufacturers recommending that they primarily use "Best If Used By" on their packages to help consumers who may be confused by the use of the phrase "Sell By." The letter explains that the Grocery Manufacturers Association and Food Marketing Institute have recommended that food manufacturers use the distinguishing phrases "Best If Used By"—for foods that may decline in quality after a specific date but remain safe to eat—and "Use By," which should appear on the label of perishable foods that should be discarded after a specific date for safety reasons. "As approximately 80% of the foods in the US are regulated by the FDA, we would like to inform our regulated food industries that FDA strongly supports industry’s voluntary industrywide efforts to use the 'Best if Used By' introductory phrase when choosing to include a…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced proposed revisions to its regulations regarding "the movement (importation, interstate movement, and environmental release) of certain genetically modified organisms" (GMOs). The proposal, "the first comprehensive revision of the regulations since they were established in 1987," would adjust how the agency handles permits for plants created as a result of genetic engineering (GE). "While the current regulations have been effective in ensuring the safe introduction of GE organisms during the past 30 years, advances in genetic engineering have occurred since they were promulgated," the announcement states. "APHIS has now accumulated three decades of experience in evaluating GE organisms for plant pest risk. The Agency's evaluations to date have provided evidence that genetically engineering a plant with a plant pest as a vector, vector agent, or donor does not in and of itself result in a GE plant…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued draft guidance for industry on the use of "potassium chloride salt" on food labels as an acceptable alternative to the use of the common or usual name "potassium chloride." The guidance indicates that the agency recognizes that food manufacturers "wishing to reduce sodium chloride in their products sometimes use substitute ingredients that provide similar taste and technical functions of sodium chloride in foods," including potassium chloride, which is generally recognized as safe for use as a flavor enhancer, flavoring agent, nutrient supplement, pH control agent, stabilizer and thickener. Comments on the draft guidance will be accepted until July 19, 2019.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) has introduced legislation that would "ban the use of toxic perfluorinated compounds (PFAS) in food containers and cookware." The Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authority to deem PFAS chemicals in food containers as unsafe by 2022. “We already know the double cheeseburger and fries are not the most healthy meal, but no one suspects the dangerous chemicals seeping into your food from the wrapper or food containers," Dingell is quoted as saying in a press release. "This important legislation ensures unsafe, hazardous chemicals are not allowed near the food we eat.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a June 21, 2019, public meeting to discuss several general Codex Alimentarius Commission issues, including the adoption and revocation of Codex Texts, amendments to Codex Standards, the Codex Strategic Plan 2020-2025 and matters arising from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization. The meeting will also feature a discussion of budgetary and financial matters, including a 2018-2019 progress report and a proposal for 2020-2021.
