FDA Encourages Importation of Safe Infant Formula and Other Flexibilities to Further Increase Availability

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Encourages Importation of Safe Infant Formula and Other Flexibilities to Further Increase Availability | site |


Information contained in U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) press release dated: May 16, 2022 Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is announcing a guidance that outlines increased flexibilities regarding importation of certain infant formula products to further increase the availability of infant formula across the country while protecting the health of infants. The agency is encouraging infant formula manufacturers worldwide to take advantage of these flexibilities. “The FDA is leaving no stone unturned to further increase the availability of infant formula. We are doing everything in our power as part of the all-of-government efforts to ensure there’s adequate product available wherever and whenever parents and caregivers need it,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. ...

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Provides New Updates on Activities to Mitigate Infant Formula Supply Challenges, Abbott Nutrition Agrees to Take Corrective Actions at Facility to Produce Safe Infant Formula
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Information contained in U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) press release dated: May 16, 2022

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is announcing important updates on its ongoing work to increase the supply and availability of infant formula in the U.S. On Feb. 17, the agency warned consumers not to use certain powdered infant formula products from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Michigan infant formula production facility, and Abbott voluntarily ceased production at this facility as well as initiated a voluntary recall of certain products. Today, a proposed consent decree of permanent injunction between the FDA and Abbott Nutrition, as well as three Abbott principals, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Wes...

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Reminds Industry of Specific Regulations for the Use of Fluorinated Polyethylene in Food Contact Containers | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA] press release dated: August 5, 2021)


The following quote is attributed to Susan Mayne, Ph.D., director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

“The FDA is committed to ensuring that food containers are safe for consumers. We are encouraging manufacturers and distributors to consult with us regarding the regulatory status of any manufacturing processes used to produce fluorinated polyethylene containers for use in contact with food.

We issued this letter out of an abundance of caution to remind industry that only certain fluorinated containers may be used in contact with food. It is important to note that there is no evidence of unlawful manufacturing...

Listeria Outbreak Update: CDC Warning| site |



(Information contained in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] press release dated: February 24, 2021)

CDC has updated its food safety alert for a Listeria outbreak linked to queso fresco made by El Abuelito Cheese Inc.: https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbrea...-21/index.html

Key points:

• CDC has expanded its advice to not eat, sell, or serve any cheese sold under the brand name El Abuelito, in addition to recalled queso fresco cheese sold under the brand names of El Abuelito, Rio Grande, and Rio Lindo. CDC is concerned that any cheese made or handled at this facility could be contaminated and make people sick.

• Three new illnesses were reported this week. This outbreak has sickened a total of 10 people in four states (Connecticut, Maryland, New York, and Virginia).

• Nine people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

• Interviews with sick people

...

Federal Emergency Management Agency Reimburses nearly $7 Million to Massachusetts for COVID-19 Food Security Response | site |



(Information contained in Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] press release dated: December 31, 2020)


Region 1 – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $6,993,801 to Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to reimburse eligible expenses for the delivery of food boxes to hundreds of thousands of residents in response to food insecurity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. MEMA, along with the assistance of the Salvation Army, and a network of food banks and food pantries throughout Massachusetts coordinated and distributed 275,808 food boxes to eligible participants. “We are pleased to provide this significant grant to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to help manage the financial demands associated with providing food for its citizens needing assistance during COVID-19,” said Region...

Federal Emergency Management Agency Announces $140 Million for Emergency Food and Shelter Program | site |


(Information included in Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] press release: November 23, 2020) WASHINGTON -- FEMA has announced that $140 million will be available to communities across the county to assist with feeding and sheltering. Congress made $125 million available for Fiscal Year 2020, and this year, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) National Board is including an additional $15 million from funds that have not been used from prior grant years. FEMA awarded the $125 million to the National Board, which is now allocating the funds, combined with the additional $15 million, to qualifying jurisdictions (counties and cities). EFSP funds assist local organizations dedicated to feeding, sheltering, and providing critical resources to people with economic emergencies, including our nation's hungry and homeless populations. These fun...

U.S. Department of Agriculture Shares Easy At-Home Advice for Handling Food Safely this Thanksgiving | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Agriculture press release: November 23, 2020) (Washington, D.C., November 23, 2020) – This week, Americans will enjoy a delicious meal on Thanksgiving Day with family and friends – either in person or virtually. Taking the necessary steps toward safe food handling and sanitation will help protect you and your loved ones this year. To make sure your Thanksgiving meal is prepared safely, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering food safety advice to reduce foodborne illness, including on Thanksgiving Day. “Our data shows that consumers can reduce their likelihood of foodborne illness by focusing on good hand hygiene and other food safety practices,” said Dr. Mindy Brashears, USDA’s Under Secretary for Food Safety. “As home chefs nationwide prepare their Thanksgiving meals, proper handwashi...

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Releases New Outbreak Investigation Table | site |



(November 18, 2020) - - On November 18, 2020 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published the following information:


FDA Releases New Outbreak Investigation Table


New tool will communicate outbreak investigations in early stages


November 18, 2020

Statement From:
Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response - Food and Drug Administration
Frank Yiannas

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is committed to transparency and keeping the public and stakeholders informed of our work upholding the safety of our food supply. As part of this continued commitment, today we are releasing a new tool to communicate foodborne illness outbreak information frequently and as soon as the FDA begins an outbreak investigation – prior to a public health advisory or recall of a certain...

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Encourages Manufacturers to Clearly Declare All Uses of Sesame in Ingredient List on Food Labels | site |



(November 10, 2020) - - On November 10, 2020 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published the following information:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a draft guidance encouraging food manufacturers to voluntarily declare sesame in the ingredient list on food labels. “Many Americans are allergic or sensitive to sesame, and they need the ability to quickly identify products that might contain sesame,” said Susan Mayne, Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “While most products containing sesame declare it as an ingredient, there are times when sesame is not required to be declared by name on the label, such as when it is used as a ‘flavor’ or ‘spice.’ Other ingredients, like ‘tahini,’ are made by grinding sesame into a past...

USDA, EPA Welcome Two New Members as U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions | site |



Meijer, UNFI commit to reduce food loss and waste in their operations


(November 12, 2020) - - The U.S. Department of Agriculture published (today) the following information:

(WASHINGTON, D.C., November 12, 2020) — Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the addition of Meijer, an American supercenter chain throughout the Midwest, and UNFI, a North America Food wholesaler, to the U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions. Champions are U.S. businesses and organizations that pledge to reduce food loss and waste in their own operations by 50 percent by the year 2030. The commitment and action of these businesses will help the U.S. move closer to the national goal, protect and save valuable resources, and improve food system efficiencies...