U. S. Food and Drug Administration
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
February 21, 2001

Dear Colleague, FDA Foods Community:

Last month you received a copy of CFSAN's 2001 program priorities.  The document constitutes the Center's workplan for fiscal year 2001. I am pleased to report that, through January 31, 2001, we have fully completed sixteen "A" list goals. Attached is a list of these accomplishments.

As in previous years, we will again provide a mid-year "Progress Report."  This will also provide an opportunity to make any needed adjustments in the workplan (i.e., additions or deletions) for the balance of the fiscal year.

As always, I thank our many stakeholders for your continuing support, and I look forward to reporting on our mid-year progress later this spring. 

1. Published guidance for field personnel to ensure that imported food is held in secure facilities until FDA has reviewed and released the shipments into domestic commerce.  Additional information on this issue is available on our web site at www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tpimport.html.
2. Published a proposed rule on the marking of refused food shipments (66 FR 6502; January 22, 2001).
3. Published guidance for field personnel on the imposition of civil money penalties, under Customs' authority, related to the importation of unsafe food.  Additional information on this issue is available on our web site at www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tpimport.html.

4. Published a draft risk assessment on the relationship between Vibrio parahaemolyticus in raw molluscan shellfish, specifically oysters, and human health (66 FR 5517, January 19, 2001).
5. Issued advice to consumers on methyl mercury in fish.  Additional information on this issue is available on our web site at www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tphgfish.html.

6. Published the final rule on HACCP for fruit and vegetable juices to improve their safety (66 FR 6137; January 19, 2001).

7. Published the final rule on egg labeling and refrigeration (65 FR 76091; December 5, 2000).

8. Published, for public comment, a draft risk assessment on Listeria monocytogenes contamination in food (66 FR 5515; January 19, 2001). (Jointly with USDA).

9. Published, for public comment, a draft action plan to reduce Listeria monocytogenes contamination in food (66 FR 5515; January 19, 2001).  (Jointly with USDA)

10. Submitted a Report to Congress on the status of the proposed regulation on food irradiation labeling.
11. Issued a letter to manufacturers regarding conventional foods that contain novel ingredients, such as botanicals, that often bear claims to provide certain health benefits.  A copy of this letter is available on our web site at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-ltr15.html.

12. Issued a final determination on a health claim for vitamin B and vascular disease. FDA is using its enforcement discretion to allow appropriately qualified claims about B vitamins, serum homocysteine, and a reduced risk of vascular disease.  A copy of this letter is available on our web site at www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-ltr12.html.

13. Published the final "channels of trade" guidance for industry on foods containing methyl parathion residues (66 FR 1246; January 5, 2001).
14. Published guidance to the industry on testing for Starlink corn (66 FR 6627; January 22, 2001).

15. Published biotechnology premarket notification proposal (66 FR 4706; January 18, 2001).
16. Published draft guidance for voluntary labeling of foods that have or have not been developed using biotechnology (66 FR 4839; January 18, 2001).

CFSAN 2001 Program Priorities

Hypertext Updated by dav 2001-FEB-23