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FDA and FAAN Aim to Educate Public during Food Allergy Awareness Week

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This week (May 13 – May 19, 2012) is recognized as Food Allergy Awareness Week (“FAAW”). FAAW was created by the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (“FAAN”), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness food allergies and those who suffer from them. An annual event since 1998, FAAW began at a time when companies were not required to declare major food allergens in labeling. In 2004 Congress passed the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (“FALCPA”), thereby giving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) the authority to regulate in this area. Since the passage of FALCPA, the FDA…
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FDA Warns of Recall Due to Undeclared Milk Derivatives in Several Beverage Products

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On May 10, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) posted a press release on its website notifying consumers of a recent recall of various fruit beverages. Jonlly Fruits Inc., the manufacturer of the beverages, opted to initiate the voluntary recall of the affected products after labeling deficiencies were uncovered during the FDA’s inspection of its facilities. According to the Company’s press release, several of its products may contain the milk derivative sodium caseinate. Under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act and its corresponding FDA regulations, manufacturers and/or labelers of finished food products are required to declare…
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FDA Announces Recall of Alfalfa Sprouts After Listeria Monocytogenes is Detected

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On May 8, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) announced the recall of alfalfa sprouts produced by the company Cleveland Beansprouts Co. Discussed here, the Company is recalling the sprouts due to the possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. For more information about Listeria monocytogenes, please see our previous post here. Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (“USDA”) Microbiological Data Program (“MDP”), state agencies cooperate with the federal government in collecting and analyzing data to protect consumers from the spread of food-borne pathogens. The sprouts, which were only distributed in Ohio and never crossed state lines, were found to be contaminated…
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FDA Publishes Global Engagement Report, Highlighting Efforts Abroad

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On April 23, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) released its “Global Engagement Report,” a document detailing the various strategies undertaken by the agency to ensure that FDA-regulated products, including foods, medical devices, drugs, etc., are manufactured under the same quality and safety standards as those produced domestically. Found here, the Engagement Report acknowledges the dramatic increase in importation of FDA-regulated products in recent years. For example, according to the Agency, imported foods have nearly doubled since 2002. The Engagement Report also sets forth the efforts that the FDA is taking to ensure that these products meet federal…
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FDA Warns Consumers of Dangers Associated with Crackers Lacking Proper Allergy Warnings

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On April 5, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) issued a press release warning consumers not to eat certain crackers because of the potential dangers for those with milk or nut allergies. TWI Foods Inc., the crackers’ manufacturer (called “Rusk” brand Crispy crackers), initiated a voluntary recall of its crackers and toast, because of the undeclared allergens in product labeling. Under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 and FDA regulations, manufacturers and/or distributers of finished food products are required to declare the presence of major food allergens in labeling. “Major food allergens” include the…
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