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ASTA's 2012 Annual Meeting - Update
More than 260 attended ASTA's 2012 Annual Meeting at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. We ask that all attendees please return completed meeting evaluations by Monday, May 7. The feedback you provide will help us with planning future meetings. Most of the presentations from sessions are here on the ASTA Website. We will continue to post those that have been made available.
How to Prepare for an FDA Inspection Web Seminar - Recording available
Both U.S. and foreign spice companies can expect to see FDA inspectors in coming years as increased inspections are implemented as part of the new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). So what should you do when the FDA comes for an inspection? How should you prepare? What are your rights? If you were not able to join ASTA and the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association of the United States (FEMA) for the Web Seminar on Thursday, April 12, 2012, a recording of this session is now available for purchase. Learn what you need to do to be prepared when the FDA comes to your company for an inspection.
ASTA Responds to FDA, HHS Request for Comments - New
ASTA submitted comments under the "Request for Comments - Preventative Controls for Registered Human Food and Animal Food and Animal Food/Feed Facilities", 76 Fed. Reg. 29767 (May 23, 2011). To see the letter, click here.
FDA Issues Two New Regulations Related to Food Safety
The FDA issued two new regulations as a result of the new authorities in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Both rules take effect July 3, 2011
The first regulation allows the FDA to administratively detain food the agency believes has been produced under unsanitary or unsafe conditions. Previously, the FDA could only detain food products when there was credible evidence that a food product was contaminated or mislabeled in a way that presented a threat of serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals. Beginning in July, the FDA will be able to detain food products that it has "reason to believe" are adulterated or misbranded for up to 30 days. The products will be kept out of the marketplace while the agency determines whether an enforcement action such as seizure or federal injunction against distribution of the product in commerce, is necessary.
The second rule requires anyone importing food into the United States to inform the FDA if any country has refused entry to the same product. This new reporting requirement will be administered through the FDA’s prior notice system for incoming shipments of imported food.
For more information, click here.
