Food Laws and Regulations Division
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Food Laws and Regulations Division
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Newsletter - Vol. 12, No. 1 - Fall 2001 Table of Contents
Message from the Chair - Janine Neils, Chair As I begin my tenure as Chair, sitting at my desk late on a Friday afternoon, I am reflecting on the events of the past week, and deciding on a message to convey to the Division membership. First, and foremost, let me send wishes for the safety of all of you during this time of worldwide uncertainty. Second, if any of our membership has suffered the loss of an associate, or a loved one, my deepest condolences. I, as well as, I'm sure, many of you, were deeply shaken by the events of September 11th. As 1 sit here pondering the effect on food regulations, it seems rather unimportant I, along with many others, have taken a bit of time to appreciate the value of my connections with other people. As I begin to get back to the daily routine, I find that my life has been irreversibly altered. I don't believe that any one of us will ever be quite the same. I live 3000 miles away, but feel deeply a profound sense of loss. Life goes on and newsletters get published. It's just one small way that we human beings connect together. As I turn my focus onto the future of the Division, I foresee a great deal of change being promulgated as we move into 2002. Any company with worldwide locations is finding the challenges of keeping current on changing regulations a most daunting task. The ever changing regulations regarding the labeling of ingredients derived from genetically modified crops is just one example of the myriad of applicable regulations that we must monitor as we ready products for international markets. Here, in the US, the labeling of allergens and the use of non-GRAS ingredients are just two of the regulatory issues that affect almost all of our membership, and will be newsworthy during 2002. Without a doubt the next year will contain many changes, both in and out of the regulatory arena. I believe there will be an opportunity to revitalize the Division, and that by providing opportunities to share information and experiences, help each other through what might become rather trying times. Take Care, and Be Safe... Inside Washington - John Tisler, Inside Washington compiler and Member Division Executive Committee The "Inside Washington" section of this newsletter highlights several new items that may be of interest to Food Laws and Regulations Division members who may have missed their release elsewhere. Along with a brief description of-the item, the FDA's internet web site URL addresses are given where more complete information can be found. For those persons without internet access, contact me,: John Tisler, Director, Industry Activities Staff, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at 301-436-1727 for a paper copy of the items. Of particular interest this month, are the Small Entity Compliance Guides. FDA was directed to develop understandable guidance, particularly suitable to smaller firms, with the enactment of the Small Business Regulatory Fairness Act (P.L.104-121). Be sure to visit regularly FDA's Internet Web site: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~news/whatsnew. for the latest enforcement policy releases and other important food safety information. Final Rule: Food labeling, safe handling statement, labeling of shell eggs; Refrigeration of shell eggs held for retail distribution To reduce the risk of illness and death caused by Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) a pathogenic bacterium, wMch is associated with the- consumption of shell eggs that have not been treated to destroy Salmonella, FDA published a final rule in the Federal Register of December 5, 2000 (65 FR 76092) entitled, "Food Labeling, Safe Handling Statements, Labeling of Shell Eggs; Refrigeration of Shell Eggs Held for Retail Distribution." The final rule applies to shell eggs that have not been specifically processed to destroy all live Salmonellae before distribution to the consumer. For these shell eggs, retail establishments must include the safe handling statement on the label of the shell eggs. The regulation also requires retail establishments to refrigerate shell eggs promptly when they are received and indicates storage temperatures. http://first.fda.gov/fedreg/Ol/cf0156.pdf Small entity compliance guide: Food labeling: Safe handling statements, Labeling of shell eggs; Refrigeration of shell eggs held for retail distribution This small entity compliance guide (SECG) is for a final rule that published
in the Federal Register of December 5, 2000 (65 FR 76092), entitled "Food
Labeling: Safe Handling Statements, Labeling of Shell Retail Distribution."
The SECG is intended to set forth the requirements of that final rule in plain
language and to help small businesses understand the regulation. Small entity compliance guide: Food labeling; Serving Sizes; Reference amount for baking powder, baking soda, pectin The final rule revising the recommended amounts customarily consumed (RACC's) for baking powder, baking soda, and pectin were published in the Federal Register of March 16, 1999 (64 FR 12887), entitled "Food Labeling; Serving Sizes; Reference Amount for Baking Powder, Baking Soda, and Pectin." This small entity compliance guide (SECG) discusses the requirements of that final rule in plain language and to help small businesses understand the regulation. As with all SEGGs, an alternative approach may be used if such approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations. http://first.fda.gov/fedreg/01/cf0155.pdf The Juice HACCP Regulation Questions & Answers FDA is adopting final regulations to ensure the safe and sanitary processing of fruit and vegetable juices. The regulations mandate the application of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles to the processing of these foods. HACCP is a preventive system of hazard control. This item presents guidance in question and answer format to help the regulated industry better understand these legal requirements. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/juiceqa.html Dietary supplement and food labeling electronic newsletter FDA announced its new electronic newsletter, "FDA-DSFU' (Dietary Supplement/Food Labeling Electronic Newsletter), which will publish on a quarterly basis, or as needed. It's purpose is to provide interested parties with access to key information and updates about regulatory actions related to food labeling, nutrition, and dietary supplements, as well as educational materials and important announcements. If you are interested in subscribing to the newsletter FDA-DSFL, you will need to access the Electronic Information Networks on the Internet and follow the instructions at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/infonet.html Message from the student representative - Darron Jeffries, University of Maine I would first like to send my condolences to all those who - have been effected by the recent tragic events that occurred in New York City and Washington DC. These events have touched our lives and changed the way most of us view our safety and security in United States. With life and security in mind it brings forth questions and concerns that effect all aspects of our lives including our food supply. As consumers the safety of our food is an issue of great concern and the need for reassurance that our food will remain safe is obvious. Laws and Regulations that our foods are produced, distributed and consumed under safe conditions are very important and should be of interest to everyone. I urge all students of the division to go out and tell other students in food science about the Food Laws & Regulation Division, because there are so many opportunities and advantages of being a member of this Division. If you have any student inquiring about the Division have them e-mail me at dvj1974@yahoo.com and I will personally tell them why it is advantageous to join the Food Law and Regulations Division. The division's web site... Have you visited the Division's home page on IFT's web site http://www.ift.org/divisions/food_law The home page not only describes the purpose of the Division and benefits of membership, it contains valuable links to other sources of information dealing with food laws and regulations. These links include associations, government sources, international resources, Federal judicial links, libraries, universities, and more. Many thanks to David Haytowitz our "Webmeister" for initiating and maintaining the home page. Congratulations to John M. Tisler... John M. Tisler was selected to receive the Division's second Achievement Award for "Outstanding Leadership and Contributions to the Field of Food Laws and Regulations." Congratulations, John on this well-deserved recognition. John has spent his entire career with the Food and Drug Administration serving in a number of capacities with a wide range of assignments. Some of the special recognitions John has received are:
John is past Chairman of the IFT Quality Assurance Division and is currently on the Executive Committee of our Division. The Division will be reviewing candidates for next year's Achievement Award. Get your nominations ready submission details in the next newsletter. Notice to all individuals with job postings in the food regulations profession Contact Mitzi Elkes, Chairperson, Employment Recruitment Committee at mjelkes@aol.com to post your job listing on the Food Laws and Regulations Listserv. The job posting can potentially reach over a thousand, highly qualified food regulatory professionals. The success rate of past job posting has been impressive. Spread the word to your Human Resources and Industry managers of this complimentary employment recruitment service. IFT'S Washington Office... Dr. Fred R. Shank heads up IFT's new office in Washington, DC; Dr. Shank issues periodic reports on the activities of that office and this is a brief summary of the report provided during the annual meeting of the Institute in New Orleans
The office is very conveniently located near a Metro stop at 1025 Connecticut Ave. and can be reached by phone at 202-466-5980. The Food Laws and Regulations Division is anxious to interact and assist IFT's efforts in Washington wherever the expertise of its members can be of value. Short course Report - Jim Vetter, Technical Assistance Services, Leawood KS The Division continues to co-sponsor the two short courses dealing with laws, regulations, and labeling that the IFT presents as part of its continuing education program. The terrorist attack forced the cancellation of the September offering of the Food Laws and Regulations course in San Francisco, but it has been rescheduled for that city on October 29 and 30. Space is available if you are interested and did not register for the September date. The next offering of Food Laws and Regulations will be February 4th and 5th of next year in Orlando. Brochures will be mailed soon. The Food Labeling short course in Charlotte on October 22nd and 23rd will probably be full by time you read this, but call the American Institute of Baking at 1-800-242-2534 if interested in attending. This course will be offered again in Chicago in April of next year. Exact date and hotel have not been finalized as of this time; brochures will be mailed early next year. Anyone with new responsibilities involving regulatory compliance or those wanting a review or update should attend one or both of these highly successful programs. Send information to the Editors at the addresses below. Please send comments, suggestions concerns and corrections to us, we want to hear from you.
Last modified: February 18, 2002 |
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