Consumer Health – USA/UK/Asia/ROW Regulatory News – Feb 2025

USA

Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Frozen Supplemental Shakes

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes manufactured by Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. (“Prairie Farms”) from the Prairie Farms facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Do not sell or serve recalled Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

UK

Updated industry guidance issued for food allergen information in the out-of-home sector

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued best practice industry guidance on providing allergen information to consumers with food hypersensitivities, encouraging information on food allergens to be available in writing in the out of home sector, for example restaurants, cafes, delis, market stalls and takeaways.

MALAYSIA

Ministry of Health Malaysia Detected Cosmetic Product Information Containing Scheduled Poisoning

The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Authority (NPRA), Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) would like to urge the public to avoid purchasing and using the following cosmetic products as they have been found to contain scheduled poisons like Mercury is banned in cosmetic products because it can be absorbed into the body and cause damage to the kidneys and nervous system. It can also interfere with brain development in young or unborn children. Mercury can also cause rashes, irritation and other changes to the skin.

PHILIPPINES

Survey for the Conduct of FDA Academy Training on Food Product Registration and Other Authorizations and Core Processes in Region III on 10-11 June 2025

In line with its efforts to enhance regulatory compliance and facilitate the efficient registration of prepackaged and processed food products, the FDA Academy of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting this survey for interested parties to attend the Training on Food Product Registration and Other Authorizations and Core Processes under the Center for Food Regulation and Research (CFRR).

SINGAPORE

Two food products found to be adulterated with substances not allowed for use in food

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has detected two food products that have been adulterated with banned and/or medicinal substances that are not allowed in food. The two products are:

The two products are sold on various local e-commerce platforms and marketed as weight loss products with claims of effective weight loss, appetite suppressant, detoxify, control hunger, help digestion, and acceleration of metabolism. SFA has worked with these online e-commerce platforms to remove the listings of the products and issued warnings to the respective sellers to stop selling the products with immediate effect.

AUSTRALIA

TGA publishes literature review of sunscreen ingredients

TGA released a literature review of certain active ingredients used in sunscreens. This review aims to identify any new evidence about the use of these ingredients. Clinical advice remains that the benefits of sunscreen continue to far outweigh any risks. Tragically, around 2,000 people die each year from skin cancer in Australia. Sun protection, which includes the use of sunscreen, remains the best way to prevent skin cancer. While some theoretical risks associated with frequent sunscreen use over a lifetime have been identified, they are minimal compared with the proven dangers of prolonged sun exposure and sun burn.

BRAZIL

ANVISA releases results of food regulation in 2024

ANVISA released, the Activity Report of the General Management of Food. The document presents a brief summary of the main results of the area in 2024, with emphasis on the processes of risk and safety assessment, regularization of food and packaging, determination of regulatory and service standards, transparency and communication.