Consumer Health – USA/Europe/Asia/ROW Regulatory News – July 2024

USA

FDA Revokes Regulation Allowing the Use of Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) in Food

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is revoking the regulation authorizing the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food. Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is a vegetable oil that is modified with bromine. The agency concluded that the intended use of BVO in food is no longer considered safe after the results of studies conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found the potential for adverse health effects in humans.

FDA Releases Summary Report on Fresh Herbs Sampling Assignment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released findings from a sampling assignment that collected and tested both domestic and imported fresh basil, cilantro, and parsley. The assignment sought to estimate the prevalence of Cyclospora cayetanensis, Salmonella spp., and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in these herbs as part of the FDA’s ongoing effort to help proactively ensure food safety.

FDA Announces FY2025 User Fees for VQIP and TPP

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the fiscal year (FY) 2025 user fee rates for importers approved to participate in the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) and accreditation and certification bodies interested in participating in the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program (TPP). The user fee rates are authorized by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and allow the agency to assess and collect fees to cover the FDA’s cost of administering these programs.

EUROPE

EFSA launches new web tool to calculate dietary exposure to food enzymes

EFSA has released an innovative new web tool designed to support industry operators and consumers estimate exposure to food enzymes through the diet.

Vibrio bacteria in seafood: increased risk due to climate change and antimicrobial resistance

The prevalence of Vibrio in seafood is expected to increase both globally and in Europe because of climate change, especially in low-salinity or brackish waters, according to EFSA’s latest assessment. Additionally, resistance to last-resort antibiotics is increasingly found in some Vibrio species.

ASIA

Indonesia

Preventing Food Safety Emergency, BPOM Prepares Artificial Intelligence and Handling Guidelines in Controlling Processed Food

BPOM held a series of parallel activities in the form of seminars and focus group discussions (FGD) to commemorate World Food Safety Day (WFSD) 2024. These various activities were held to further strengthen and support the achievement of the goal of this year’s WFSD commemoration, namely Be Ready to Face Uncertainty

Collaborating with Doctors, BPOM Enforces Control of Skincare with Blue Labels that Does Not Comply with Regulations

BPOM held a Communication Forum for Controlling Blue Label Skincare that Does Not Comply with Regulations. This communication forum aims to provide guidance to health professionals so that they do not fall into legal sanctions when carrying out their practice. Apart from that, this activity is also an effort to deal with the circulation of skin care preparations (skincare) with blue labels and containing medicinal ingredients which are sold freely on online media without a prescription or doctor’s supervision.

Strengthening ASEAN Laboratory Network, BPOM Holds ASEAN Food Reference Laboratory (AFRL) Workshop

BPOM, through the National Drug and Food Testing Development Center (PPPOMN), held an AFRL workshop in an effort to strengthen the supervision of food product quality and safety in the ASEAN region. The 5-day workshop was attended by participants from the National Food Reference Laboratory (NFRL) in 9 ASEAN countries, as well as representatives from Balai Besar/Balai POM in various regions of Indonesia.

ROW

Australia

Call for comment on food made from a GM potato

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit the sale and use of food made from a new genetically modified (GM) potato.

Potato line BG25 has been genetically modified to have disease-resistance to late blight and Potato Virus Y, as well as low-reducing sugars and reduced browning.

Call for comment on a new definition for genetically modified food

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for public comment on proposed changes to how genetically modified (GM) foods are defined in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code). 

Proposed changes developed through Proposal P1055 – Definitions for gene technology and new breeding techniques include a new definition for ‘genetically modified food’.

Brazil

Anvisa conducts user tests on new forms for regulating food and packaging

Anvisa has tested new electronic forms for registering and reporting food and packaging with users. The forms will be implemented starting September 1st of this year, when the new regulatory framework for the food sector (RDC 843/2024) comes into effect.

The testing event with external users was held on July 18th, at the Agency’s headquarters, after the development of the forms and internal tests. The objective was to validate the functionality of the system and obtain feedback from participants to make final adjustments.