As part of this Act, several interim rules were announced by the FDA over the last few days. Both the FDA and CBP (Customs and Border Protection) have jointly issued an interim final rule on "information required in prior notice of imported food". This was issued to substantiate more information in a prior notice of imported food. This change requires a person submitting prior notice of imported food (including pet food) to report the name of any country to which the article or food has been refused entry.
Similarly, in a separate ruling, the FDA expanded the agency's authority to order the detention of adulterated or misbranded products. This essentially strengthens the Agency's ability to prevent unsafe food from entering commerce. It specifically allows the FDA to administratively detain food that the Agency believes has been produced under insanitary or unsafe conditions. In this case, previous detainment was done when the Agency had credible evidence that a food product was contaminated or mislabeled in a way that presented a threat of serious health consequences to the public.
Both rulings truly strengthen the FDA's administrative decision making power and go into effect on 7/3/2011. Way to go FDA. Keep us safe.
No comments:
Post a Comment