In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we talk with Donald A. Prater, D.V.M., the Acting Director of the Office of Food Policy and Response (OFPR) at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Associate Commissioner for Imported Food Safety at OFPR. Dr. Prater discusses the work he has overseen regarding import food safety, particularly for fresh produce and seafood; food safety culture; and smarter tools and technologies for data-gathering and data-sharing.

Shellfish are filter feeders, and may concentrate microorganisms (bacteria and viruses), as well as natural toxins and chemicals if they are present in the growing waters. The current National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) dictates uniform requirements that every state must meet, with federal oversight provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). States are required by the NSSP to maintain minimum sanitation standards addressing issues such as water quality monitoring, harvest area enforcement, training of harvesters and dealers, processing, shipping, and handling.

The UK Government, in collaboration with the Scottish and Welsh Governments, has published a plan that establishes the basis for risk-based checks across EU and non-EU trade. The draft Border Target Operating Model sets forth proposals for a new border surveillance and control system to provide protection from security and biosecurity threats, including those posed by unsafe food imports.

Amid the pandemic in 2020, federal and state recall coordinators and their leadership teams took a closer look at the existing regulatory recall response efforts in the state of Georgia, and where collaboration exists between the two agencies. After creating a pilot template project in 2021, the recall shadowing concept was expanded to a larger network. Feedback from 12 additional agencies in 2022 strengthened the project to enhance partner integration efforts, with the ultimate goal to better protect public health during recall events.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has revised a guidance document regarding Safe Food for Canadians licensing requirements for manufacturers and importers of infant formula and human milk fortifier. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revised the guidance, titled, Labeling of Certain Beers Subject to the Labeling Jurisdiction of FDA, as well as two other guidances, to add “sesame” to the list of major food allergens for labeling purposes.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the appointment of 15 new members and five returning members to the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI). Members of the committee are chosen based on their expertise in meat and poultry safety, public health, and other USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) policies.

The first global report on the food safety aspects of cell-based foods has been published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The report is intended to provide a solid scientific basis to begin establishing regulatory frameworks and effective systems to ensure the safety of cell-based foods.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has announced its new roster of experts for the Joint FAO/World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) for the 2023-2027 period.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently published a report detailing the activities of its Advisory Group on Data during 2022. The aim of the EFSA Advisory Group on Data is to demonstrate the ways in which digitalization of food systems can improve food safety in Europe.