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

USA

Youth E-Cigarette Use Drops to Lowest Level in a Decade

Half a million fewer U.S. youth reported current use of e-cigarettes in 2024 compared to 2023, according to new data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) released today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The nationally representative data featured in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) includes findings on e-cigarette and nicotine pouch use among U.S. youth, two categories of tobacco products the FDA and CDC are monitoring closely, particularly regarding youth use and appeal. 

Innovation Bakers, LLC is recalling 2,081 packs of 7-Eleven Fudge Brownie due to undeclared  walnuts, which could cause serious allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

The recall notice is about a voluntary action taken by Innovation Bakers, LLC due to a potential health risk. Specifically, 2,081 packs of 7-Eleven Fudge Brownie, distributed in Southern California, might contain undeclared walnuts. This could pose a serious risk to individuals with walnut allergies or severe sensitivities. Consumers are advised to return or discard the affected products.

Eagle Produce LLC is recalling whole cantaloupes sold under the Kandy brand because they might have Salmonella , a harmful bacteria. This recall affects cantaloupes with UPC code 4050 and lot code 846468, sold from August 13th to 17th in Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia.

Salmonella can make people very sick, especially young kids, older adults, and those with weak immune systems. Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. In rare cases, it can lead to more serious illnesses.

CANADA

Manitoba Celebrates 10 years of Farm and Food Awareness Week with Support to Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are encouraging all Manitobans to learn more about the important role that agriculture producers play in ensuring that our agri-food system remains diverse, safe and sustainable by attending at least one of the many events around the province celebrating the 10th annual Farm and Food Awareness Week, September 16th-20th, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced today.

Ontario Investing to Attract and Retain International Agri-Food Workers

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $1.5 million over four years to create a more welcoming environment for international agri-food workers (IAWs) who work in Ontario’s $51 billion agri-food sector and provide them with stronger supports during their stay here. These include translation supports, expanding or introducing transportation services, and supporting cultural and recreational activities.

EUROPE

Navigating Novel Foods: what EFSA’s updated guidance means for safety assessments

The European Commission tasked EFSA with updating the guidance on how to prepare and submit applications to market novel foods in the EU. This update consists of two key documents:  

First, the scientific guidance outlines the scientific information applicants must provide.  

Second, the administrative guidance clarifies the process for applying, which is handled by our front-desk support team.  

These updates will apply to all novel food applications submitted to the European Commission starting in February 2025. 

EFSA identifies 12 bark and ambrosia beetle species posing high risk to EU plant health

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), in collaboration with the University of Padua (Italy), has identified 12 species of bark and ambrosia beetles that pose a high economic or environmental risk to plant health in the EU territory. The beetles, which attack broadleaved trees, are currently absent or not yet widespread in the EU and meet the criteria for classification as potential Union quarantine pests (QPs).

UNITED KINGDOM

Urgent allergy advice remains as Food Standards Agency updates on investigation into mustard ingredients contaminated with peanuts

The Food Standards Agency (FSA), working with Food Standards Scotland (FSS), is leading an investigation into the food supply chain of mustard ingredients which may have been contaminated with peanuts.  

After publishing urgent allergy advice on 20 September and following extensive food chain analysis, on-going investigations by the FSA and FSS have traced the contaminated mustard ingredients to three suppliers in India. These producers have supplied three spice companies in the UK; FGS Ingredients Ltd and two further companies, which have subsequently distributed the ingredients to a range of manufacturing, hospitality and retail businesses. We have asked all three spice companies to urgently check whether their

products have been contaminated, and to immediately inform any businesses they have supplied. 

FSA endorses Professional Competency in Feed qualification

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has endorsed a new qualification route for those wanting to embark on or further their career in animal feed regulation and official feed controls.

ASIA

SINGAPORE

Recall of Four Seasons Durian’s Mini D24 Durian Mooncake due to  exceeding levels of B. cereus

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has detected Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) in Four Seasons Durian’s Mini D24 Durian Mooncake, with levels exceeding safety limits. In response, the SFA has ordered a recall of the product, which is ongoing. B. cereus can cause food poisoning, leading to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Consumers are advised not to consume the mooncakes and to seek medical advice if they have health concerns. For further inquiries, they can contact their point of purchase, and more safety information is available on the SFA website

CHINA

“Conference of Traditional Chinese Medicines Scientific Supervision•2024” Held in Beijing

Conference of Traditional Chinese Medicines Scientific Supervision·2024” opened in Beijing. Zhao Junning, Deputy Commissioner of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), Wang Zhiyong, Deputy Commissioner of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and officials of the National Healthcare Security Administration, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and other ministries and relevant units delivered speeches.

ROW

BRAZIL

Anvisa to hold sectoral dialogues on sweeteners and titanium dioxide

Anvisa invites interested parties to participate in the virtual sectoral dialogues on sweeteners and titanium dioxide, which will take place on September 27th. Participation in the dialogues is open to everyone, with no need for prior registration.

Stay tuned! New rules for food regularization come into effect

New regulations for food regulation in the country are now in force. Collegiate Board Resolution (RDC) 843/2024  and  Normative Instruction (IN) 281/2024 introduce a new regulatory framework that will improve pre-market control of food based on risk criteria.

Anvisa provides guidance on the safe use of infant formulas

Anvisa alerts the population about the regulation, safe use and reporting of adverse events related to the consumption of infant formulas.

Infant formulas are products, in liquid or powder form, specially manufactured to meet the nutritional needs of specific groups. These products must be registered with the Agency, as determined by law, and must only be used under the prescription of a qualified health professional, such as a pediatrician or nutritionist.

Infant formulas can be classified as foods intended for feeding infants (0 to 6 months of age) and/or follow-up foods for infants (6 to 12 months of age) and/or young children (1 to 3 years of age).

AUSTRALIA

The annual cost of foodborne illness in Australia by food commodities and pathogens

Foodborne disease costs Australia AUD 2.81 billion each year (2023 inflation-adjusted estimate), with high-cost illnesses including campylobacteriosis and its sequelae (annual cost of AUD 420 million), non-typhoidal salmonellosis and its sequelae (AUD 161 million), norovirus (AUD 147 million), and listeriosis (AUD 90 million). However, attribution of these costs to specific food commodity groups remains a challenge for Australia and elsewhere.  This information is obviously important when making regulatory decisions.