Laws and Regulations Committee Update – March 8 – 12, 2021
March 8, 2021
Federal Register
Agricultural Marketing Service
Notices
Standards for Grades:
Frozen Corn on the Cob
Filed on: 03/08/2021 at 8:45 am Scheduled Pub. Date: 03/09/2021
FR Document: 2021-04880 PDF 3 Pages (65.1 KB) Permalink
Environmental Protection Agency
Rules
Pesticide Tolerances:
Fluindapyr
Filed on: 03/08/2021 at 8:45 am Scheduled Pub. Date: 03/09/2021
FR Document: 2021-04786 PDF 20 Pages (137 KB) Permalink
FDA
- [Note: March 5 update to include list of retail establishments that received potentially contaminated products.]
Recalls
| Date | Brand Name(s) | Product Description | Product Type | Recall Reason Description | Company Name |
| 03/06/2021 | Hu | Chocolate Covered Hunks-Sour Goldenberries | Food & Beverages | May contain Undeclared Almonds | Hu Products |
| 03/05/2021 | Kareem Chef | Tahina (Ground Sesame Paste) | Food & Beverages | Potential for Salmonella | Kareem Mart |
HHS/NTP
Board of Scientific Counselors Meeting – April 23, 2021
FSIS
Constituent Update – March 5, 2021
USDA
Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Senate Passage of the American Rescue Plan Act
@FrankYiannasFDA
- Significant milestone. As of March 3, 2021, “food safety culture” is now an official part of EU regulation. https://bit.ly/3sWxSQ6
- As I learned a long time ago, when it comes to food safety, it’s the soft stuff (culture and human behavior) that’s the hard stuff. You can have the best policies, rules, and procedures in the world, but if they’re not put into practice by people, they’re useless.
- A strong food safety culture is a prerequisite for effective food safety management. Let’s keep advancing food safety culture as a legitimate subset of our profession – and not just a slogan. #smarterfoodsafety #foodsafetyculture
@DrWoodcockFDA
- Today we announced new actions aimed at further preventing or reducing chemical hazards that may be present in foods for babies and young children https://go.usa.gov/xsUuA
- We take exposure to toxic elements in the food supply extremely seriously, especially when it comes to protecting the health & safety of the youngest and most vulnerable. We’re committed to reducing exposure to the greatest extent feasible & further advance progress in this area.
@SecVilsack
- Consider this: 89.6% of American farmers do not make the majority of their money from farming. This needs to change. We need to create a fairer, more transparent food system, support value-added opportunities, & build new markets & streams of income for producers.
- Today, the Senate passed the American Rescue Plan, a transformative piece of legislation that will increase nutrition assistance for millions of families, reduce child poverty, and ensure greater equity in agriculture.
@FDAfood
- We’ve got advice for eating fish– nutritional value & potential health benefits- which supports guidance in 2015-20 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Our 2017 fish choice chart has benefits of fish as part of healthy eating patterns. https://go.usa.gov/xyT2t #FishFriday
March 9, 2021
FDA
Recalls
| Date | Brand Name | Description | Product Type | Recall Reason | Company |
| 03/08/2021 | Alqosh | Sesame oil “Tahin” | Food & Beverages | Salmonella | Mediterranean Food Inc. |
FSIS
Notices
| Number | Title | Date |
| 10-21 | Annual Notice to High-Mileage Drivers – Fiscal Year 22 | Mar. 08, 2021 |
AMS
USDA Seeks Comments on Food Purchase Program, Will Host Listening Session
Update on the Final Rule for the Domestic Production of Hemp
@FDAfood
- What is genome editing? Is it the same as genetic engineering? #FeedYourMind with facts about the latest advances in plant breeding: https://fda.gov/food/consumers/agricultural-biotechnology
- What’s trending on food labels everywhere? The percent Daily Value (%DV)! Learn how %DV can help you make more informed food choices. #PercentDailyValue https://go.usa.gov/xs9Na #NutritionMonth
March 10, 2021
Federal Register
Agricultural Marketing Service
Notices
Revision of United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons
Filed on: 03/10/2021 at 8:45 am Scheduled Pub. Date: 03/11/2021
FR Document: 2021-05044 PDF 4 Pages (85.8 KB) Permalink
FDA
Listeria monocytogenes – Hispanic-style Fresh and Soft Cheeses (February 2021)
- [Note: Updated 3/9 to include that product was distributed to Rhode Island]
GRAS
AMS
USDA Revises U.S. Standards for Frozen Corn on the Cob
USDA Announces Suspension of South Texas Onion Marketing Order Provisions
@FDAfood
- Using frozen foods can be an easy way to cut down meal prep times. FDA’s new infographic has tips on how to handle frozen food items safely. https://go.usa.gov/xfHBa #FoodSafety #FrozenFoodMonth
- We have updated the map for U.S. distribution of recalled El Abuelito-brand fresco, quesillo, and requeson cheeses. On 3/9/2021, FDA received confirmation that recalled product was also distributed to Rhode Island http://go.usa.gov/xskxg
- Imperfect fruits and vegetables are safe to eat and nutritious! Imperfect produce may have physical imperfections like blemishes or discoloration, but they’re not damaged or rotten. Watch this video to see the journey of imperfect produce: https://go.usa.gov/xsxXT #IYFV2021
- Parents – It is important for the growth & development of babies & young children that they have a well-balanced diet with a variety of healthy foods. Talk to your child’s pediatrician about a healthy diet for your child so they get the needed nutrients. http://go.usa.gov/xsUSg
March 12, 2021
Federal Register
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Notices
- List of Regions Affected with African Swine Fever:
Addition of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
Filed on: 03/12/2021 at 8:45 am Scheduled Pub. Date: 03/15/2021
FR Document: 2021-05275 PDF 3 Pages (94.4 KB) Permalink
- Proposed Revision to Import Requirements for the Importation of Fresh Sand Pears from the Republic of Korea into the United States
Filed on: 03/12/2021 at 8:45 am Scheduled Pub. Date: 03/15/2021
FR Document: 2021-05273 PDF 5 Pages (89.9 KB) Permalink
AMS
USDA Proposes Revising U.S. Standards for Watermelon
@FrankYiannasFDA
- [RT @Forbes]: Leafy Greens Pilots: An Interview With FDA’s Frank Yiannas https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasburke/2021/03/10/leafy-greens-pilots-an-interview-with-fdas-frank-yiannas/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=ForbesMainTwitter&utm_campaign=socialflowForbesMainTwitter
- [RT @FightBAC]: @FrankYiannasFDA Leveraging behavioral science insights is critical to bending the curve on foodborne illness. #foodsafety2021 #BACFighters #foodsafety #handhygiene #HealthyEating @FDAfood
@FDAfood
- DYI – nutrients are not reduced when food is properly frozen – 0° F (-18° C). https://go.usa.gov/xEf83 #FrozenFoodMonth
- [@Produce_Safety]: The PSA Grower Training Manual is also now available in Chinese. All PSA Trainers have access to these PPT slides (via same link as other language PPTs) and can download the PDFs for commercial printing at https://producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu/curriculum/chinese-grower-manual-v12-pdf-files-commercial-printing-manual/…. And we’re working on a Portuguese translation!
- Looking for #foodsafety information? Whether a dietitian, nutritionist, consumer, or a food service worker, check out @FDAfood’s resource library to find free printable materials and videos. https://go.usa.gov/xspuJ #foodsafety2021 #CFSEVirtual