September 2013

FDA Finally Issues Definition of “GLUTEN FREE”!

FDA issued the update below DEFINING the term “Gluten Free”. As a Celiac, this is extremely exciting news! The reason this is a HUGE deal? Us Celiac’s need to know we can trust food products that are labeled “gluten free”. If they are not, the repercussions are severe, ranging from serious health problems, including nutritional deficiencies, osteoporosis, growth retardation, infertility, miscarriages, short stature, and intestinal cancers…

My sincere hope is FDA will now test imported products that make “GLUTEN FREE” claims, and assure these companies are legitimately using the gluten free claim. Meaning, I hope FDA will enforce and penalize those that are importing misbranded product and not correctly utilizing the gluten free claim! The enforcement tools I will look for include FDA detaining imported product making gluten free claims, and sending them to FDA’s own laboratories to check the parts per million of gluten in the product. If the product contains more than 20 parts per million of gluten, FDA should refuse admission of the product – meaning it would need to be exported or destroyed within 90 days of the refusal, otherwise, companies would face a liquidated damages claim. I also hope FDA will take the added step of adding non-compliant companies to the FDA’s Import Alert (black list) so that the products are AUTOMATICALLY stopped before entering the U.S. and the importer is forced to prove compliance prior to getting FDA to release the goods.

The “Compliance Date” for this final rule is August 5, […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2013-09-26T19:25:00-04:00September 26, 2013|Best Practices, FSMA, Gluten Free, Import, Labeling, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)|0 Comments

Join FDA in Miami to Discuss Major FSMA Proposed Rules

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it will hold two additional public meetings to discuss the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Proposed Rules on Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) and the Accreditation of Third-Party Auditors/Certification Bodies.

The two proposed rules are designed to strengthen assurances that imported food meets the same safety standards as food produced domestically. The FSVP proposal provides requirements for importers to verify that their foreign suppliers are implementing the modern, prevention-oriented food safety practices called for by the FSMA, and achieving the same level of food safety as domestic growers and processors. This will create a new burden for importers to know and trust their manufacturers. I believe we can expect to see enforcement and penalties from FDA – if you have not met your manufacturer yet, now is the time!

The second proposed rule on the Accreditation of Third-Party Auditors/Certification Bodies provides for the strengthening of quality, objectivity, and transparency of foreign food safety audits on which many U.S. food companies and importers currently rely to help manage the safety of their global food supply chains.

The purpose of the FDA’s public meetings is to solicit public comments on the proposed rules and to inform the public about the rulemaking process (including how to submit comments, data, and other information to the rulemaking dockets), and to respond […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-07T10:03:21-04:00September 26, 2013|FDA Issues, Food, FSMA, Import|0 Comments

REGISTRATION OPENS for CBP’s 2013 East Coast Trade Symposium in D.C.

Mark your calendars for the CBP 2013 East Coast Trade Symposium, scheduled for October 24 – 25, 2013, at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. This year’s theme is “Increasing Economic Competitiveness Through Global Partnerships and Innovation”.

Based on the overwhelming interest received by CBP for participation at the Symposium, CBP is limiting attendance to three (3) participants per company to afford equal representation from all members of the international trade community. If a company exceeds the limitation, subsequent registrations will automatically be placed on the waiting list.

Registration for onsite participation is $108, and is open as of September 18, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. EST. Act fast, this event sells out quickly!

Attendance at the Symposium is an excellent opportunity to meet with all levels at CBP, so take advantage of this opportunity! For a sneak peak at what to expect in DC, see the agenda here. See you at the CBP Symposium!

An added bonus:

As a special opportunity for U.S. citizens participating in this year’s CBP 2013 East Coast Trade Symposium, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will be on-site to conduct interviews for those interested in enrolling in the Global Entry program. Act within the next week, in order to be eligible for on-site enrollment. This offer is only available to those who have completed the online application, paid the $100 application fee, and are pre-approved through the Global Online Enrollment System.

By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-08T16:11:48-04:00September 23, 2013|Import, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|0 Comments

CANCELLED DUE TO SHUTDOWN – CBP’s 2013 East Coast Trade Symposium in D.C.

Mark your calendars for the CBP 2013 East Coast Trade Symposium, scheduled for October 24 – 25, 2013, at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. This year’s theme is “Increasing Economic Competitiveness Through Global Partnerships and Innovation”.

Registration for onsite participation is $108, and will open TODAY, September 18, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. EST. Act fast, this event is usually sold out typically within a day!

Attendance at the Symposium is an excellent opportunity to meet with all levels at CBP, so take advantage of this opportunity! For a sneak peak at what to expect in DC, see the agenda here.

See you at the CBP Symposium!

An added bonus:

As a special opportunity for U.S. citizens participating in this year’s CBP 2013 East Coast Trade Symposium, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will be on-site to conduct interviews for those interested in enrolling in the Global Entry program. Act within the next week, in order to be eligible for on-site enrollment. […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-08T16:44:53-04:00September 18, 2013|Events, Import, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|0 Comments

FDA Finally Issues Definition of “GLUTEN FREE”!

Join FDA in Miami to Discuss Major FSMA Proposed Rules

REGISTRATION OPENS for CBP’s 2013 East Coast Trade Symposium in D.C.

CANCELLED DUE TO SHUTDOWN – CBP’s 2013 East Coast Trade Symposium in D.C.

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