The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released two important Proposed Rules related to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).  The two Proposed Rules, Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls (HARPC) and Standards for Produce Safety, will impact Chinese food companies and manufacturers exporting products to the United States in many significant ways. Ben England, Founder and CEO of consulting firm ExportToUsa.com.cn (FDAImports.com in USA), explains the scope and impact of the Proposed Rules in a new short video.  “Chinese food companies must be aware of the emerging regulations within the Food Safety Modernization Act,” said England.  … READ MORE

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After a full year’s delay the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has finally released some key proposed rules due under the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act.  These proposed rules include (click on each to learn more):

1.  Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls (HARPC)

2.  Produce Safety Standards

3.  Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) changes

Stay tuned to the FDAImports.com blog for more in-depth analysis of the proposed rules and what they’ll mean for industry, food safety and imports.

Read more on FSMA

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The 2012 elections are over!  Celebrate or mourn. But either way, it’s now time to expect some stability and action as the sideshow comes to an end.  As we predicted over the summer FDA did not release any of its new FSMA regulations before the election. In fact, the regulations are still jammed up at the Office of Budget and Management (OMB).  Here are some predictions now that we know where we’re headed under the Obama administration.

FSMA
Expect the current regulations to be released from OMB in coming weeks.  In fact, we have … READ MORE

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Benjamin England, Founder and CEO of FDAImports.com, on the Food Safety Modernization Act.  This is part 3/3 of a video interview series on Food Chemical News’ Knife and Fork Show.  Other episodes:

Part 1:  Food Safety & Imports

Part 2: China’s Food Safety Reputation

Part 3: Food Safety Modernization Act & Imports

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Benjamin England, Founder and CEO of FDAImports.com, on China’s food safety reputation.  This is part 2/3 of a video interview series on Food Chemical News’ Knife and Fork Show.

Part 1:  Food Safety & Imports

Part 2: China’s Food Safety Reputation

Part 3: Food Safety Modernization Act & Imports

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Can you slime American twice?  You can try, according to Jim Avila and ABC News.  Attempting to re-create its journalistic success from the “pink slime” story, ABC News recently ran a short segment on foreign shrimp and antibiotics, claiming that, in a recent random sampling, trace levels of 3 banned antibiotics were found in imported shrimp.  The story, reported by ABC’s Jim Avila (who also reported on “Pink Slime” this year), states that the majority of shrimp consumed in the United States “is raised in … READ MORE

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Beijing has announced plans to ban people convicted of food safety crimes from investing in and operating related businesses for the rest of their lives.

According to the new draft amendment to Beijing Food Safety regulations, companies whose lack of food safety controls results in a crisis will be ordered to cease operation and pay fines ranging from RMB 5,000 to 100,000 ($800 – $16,000 appx). Companies who cause a severe food safety issue will also have their permits and business licenses revoked.

Multiple levels … READ MORE

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As the FDA launches its pilot program related to tracking high-risk foods, we are once again reminded of the ongoing difficulties FDA experiences when it comes to choosing between acting quickly and acting thoughtfully.  Think back to 2011’s food safety crises involving salmonella and E. coli. On numerous occasions, FDA was last to comment, often because they didn’t want to speak out of turn and provide inaccurate information.  At other times, however, they were simply scooped by the world’s mass media who, with … READ MORE

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FDA’s quest for an increased budget and resources continues, as evidenced by its recently released FY 2013 Budget request. As FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg noted in her statement before the Committee on Appropriations, FDA believes that it’s bridging the gap between budget and its ever-increasing responsibilities. As the agency attempts to launch new procedures and regulations in coming years, a primary source of funding will be from user fees, according to the justification set forth.  It’s not that FDA is unfamiliar with user fees … READ MORE

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced last week that it will not ban BPA, the on-again off-again controversial chemical used in a variety of food packaging applications.  This announcement from FDA is the most recent in a long string of protests, promises, and petitions.  This time, FDA issued a slightly anti-climactic, “it appears safe but we still don’t know.”  When BPA issues were first raised by consumers, FDA initially claimed that they could not regulate it and essentially absolved themselves from ongoing participation in the … READ MORE

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Partygoers will be having much less fun this St. Patrick’s Day as the supply of green beer is drastically reduced thanks to the FDA’s crackdown on the illegal colorants used to make the beer green.  Hundreds of leprechauns were busted Monday in the largest multi-agency food-related bust in the last 30 years. The FDA and special agents from OCI, FBI and another unnamed federal agency partnered together to mount a full-scale offensive on the secretive underground … READ MORE

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