The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced its Final Rule for the Administrative Detention of Foods under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).  The rule adopts the Interim Final Rule from May 2011 without change.  With this Final Rule, FDA now has the power to administratively detain any food simply because FDA claims it has reason to believe the food is adulterated or misbranded.  You may want to read that again: FDA may now administratively detain any food that it believes to be … READ MORE

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California’s Prop 65 monster must be fed and this time it has set its hungry sights on BPA, the notorious chemical used in the production of plastics and epoxy resins for food and drink packaging.  If listed, companies using BPA should consider phasing out their inventories, transitioning to different food storage containers and making their supply chains and foreign suppliers aware/compliant as well.  You may remember BPA from past controversies involving infant formulas and baby bottles but now BPA is back in the news as California’s … READ MORE

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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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1. Does my product comply with federal law?
The USDA administers the National Organic Program (“NOP”). NOP regulations set out the requirements for the handling, certification, processing, composition, and labeling of organic products.  Products labeled as “organic” or “100% Organic” have one set of labeling and certifying requirements. Products labeled as “Made with Organic” (i.e., ≥70% organic ingredients) have another set of requirements. Finally, products declaring the presence of organic ingredients in the ingredient list are exempt from certification, but have other restrictions.

2. Does my product … READ MORE

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It’s that time of year again… Time for another FSMA deadline! The pressure is on for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to meet yet another critical date with multiple deadlines imposed by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).  Every 6 months a deadline rolls around and every 6 months FDA has stumbled past it with varying degrees of success in delivering what Congress instructed.  This July 4th is another such deadline with multiple important FSMA items due.  Whereas it might be expected to stir up some panic … READ MORE

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The demand for organic products is on the rise, despite higher prices, according to a recent report from the TABS Group, Inc. The Annual Organic Product Study for 2011 showed an estimated 15-20% growth in sales for organics products, for both foods and cosmetics. The research showed that consumers 40 and under purchase more organic products than older consumers, even though the younger demographic has less disposable income to absorb the higher price points commanded by organic products. This trend indicates sales in organic goods are … READ MORE

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Benjamin England, Founder and CEO of FDAImports.com and ExportToUsa.com.cn, presented on Food and Drug Regulation and Importing Requirements along with Rick Quinn, Principal at the firm, to a delegation of Chinese Food and Drug officials from the Hubei Province this week at a special training event in Chantilly, VA.  The training event addressed the legal requirements for regulating and importing food and drugs into the United States with special attention given to Chinese products and the FDA Food Safety … READ MORE

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