Regulatory Watch

FDA outlines steps to help prevent recurring Salmonella outbreaks linked to papayas

Federal regulators issue second letter to papaya growers and others in the industry

July 29, 2020

The FDA has issued a second letter to papaya growers, harvesters, packers, distributors, exporters, importers and retailers outlining a series of steps to help prevent recurring outbreaks of Salmonella linked to papayas.

Regulatory Watch

FDA, USDA issue recommendations for PPE shortage during COVID-19 pandemic

Sharon Spielman

July 13, 2020

The FDA and USDA have released recommendations to help address shortages of personal protective equipment, cloth face coverings, disinfectants and sanitation supplies in the food and agriculture industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regulatory Watch

FDA issues guidance on FSMA third-party certification amid COVID-19

Sharon Spielman

June 12, 2020

The guidance addresses the challenges with conducting onsite monitoring activities during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

COVID-19

FDA allows ingredient swaps without label changes, upsetting some with allergies

Plus, vending machines can temporarily skip posting calorie counts

Rose Shilling

June 4, 2020

Hundreds of people with food allergies or sensitivities in their families are speaking out against the FDA’s latest move to loosen food labeling rules during the pandemic.

Regulatory Watch

FDA issues final guidance during COVID-19 outbreak

Sharon Spielman

May 4, 2020

The FDA has issued final guidance for industry entitled "Temporary Policy Regarding Preventive Controls and FSVP Food Supplier Verification Onsite Audit Requirements During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency."

Regulatory Watch

Proposed rule to increase onion assessment rate

Sharon Spielman

May 4, 2020

The USDA has issued a proposed rule which would increase the assessment rate from $0.10 per 50-pound bag or equivalent of Walla Walla sweet onions handled to $0.15 per 50-pound bag or equivalent of Walla Walla sweet onions handled for the 2020 and subsequent fiscal periods.

Regulatory Watch

VQIP application portal open through May

Sharon Spielman

April 13, 2020

The FDA opened the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) application portal on Jan. 1, 2020, for the benefit period between Oct. 1, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021.

Regulatory Watch

Final IA supplemental draft guidance released

Sharon Spielman

April 6, 2020

The FDA has released its third and final supplemental draft guidance to support compliance with the Intentional Adulteration Rule under FSMA.

Coronavirus

FDA eases nutrition labeling rules to help processors sell restaurant food

Restaurants also could sell some ingredients without nutrition labels to customers, retailers

Rose Shilling

March 27, 2020

The FDA is relaxing nutrition labeling requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow manufacturers to sell some packaged food that restaurants aren’t buying to retailers experiencing surging demand.

Industry News

Food and bev groups: Coronavirus rule confusion causes delays in parts of U.S.

60 associations urge government to clarify CPG industry exemption from curfews, group limits

Rose Shilling

March 18, 2020

Groups representing most every corner of the nation’s food and beverage supply urged government officials to heed federal guidelines to allow CPG manufacturers to keep making and moving out goods at full steam.