Zero Tolerance – The Misrepresentation of a Desirable Attitude in Food Safety Assurance

This blog post has been moved to the author's eBook.

Posted by Felix Amiri

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Felix Amiri is currently the chair of GCSE-Food & Health Protection, and a sworn SSQA advocate.

Suspensions and Plant Closures: Good but Not Good Enough

Growls like a tiger;

still appearing disoriented;

few bites to date 

http://gcse-food-health-protection.blogspot.ca/2013/07/fsma-harpc-ferocious-tiger-or.html

The Star Tribune posted this article by: Mary Clare Jalonick , Associated Press, March 11, 2014:“FDA halts production at Delaware cheese plant after products linked to listeria outbreak”. The link to the article is provided below.

As I have maintained, the suspension or punitive route should only be an interim measure because of the innumerable problems with that approach. Sunland Inc. was suspended and it filed for bankruptcy. Roos is now suspended. In both and all future cases, there are bound to be more casualties than the punished operation. Consumers certainly suffer the consequences of contaminated or failed products. They also suffer the loss of products that would otherwise be available. Alternate products are likely to be less affordable.

On the other hand, the ordinary employee laid off work due to these suspensions and possible permanent plant closures suffers as well. Fall-outs from these "shut it down" knee-jerk solutions are too often ignored. How widely, for what reasons, and for how long are regulators prepared to shut plants down? There must be better solutions. We must move beyond the reactive, sporadic and primitive punishment approach to more proactive, strategic, effective and sustainable solutions.

You may read the Star Tribune Article via this link:

 http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/249627261.html

You may also add a comment if you wish.

Posted By Felix Amiri

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Felix Amiri is the current Food Sector Chair of GCSE-Food & Health Protection

FDA List of Food Additives (Technical Effects and Disclaimer)

This information about the technical effect categories of food additives and the FDA disclaimer may be of interest to you. 

Technical Effects

Technical Effects
Type	Kind, effect or use of additive	Type	Kind, effect or use of additive
AC	Anticaking agent	AF	Antifoaming (or defoaming) agent
AOX	Antioxidant	BC	Boiler compound
BL	Bleaching agent or flour-maturing agent	B&N	Buffer and neutralizing agent
CTG	Component or coating for fruits & vegetables	DS	Dietary supplement
EMUL	Emulsifier	ENZ	Enzyme
ESO	Essential oil and/or oleoresin (solvent free)	FEED	Substances under the Food Additives Amendment added directly to feed
FLAV	Natural flavoring agent	FL/ADJ	Substance used in conjunction with flavors
FUM	Fumigant	FUNG	Fungicide
HERB	Herbicide	HOR	Hormone
INH	Inhibitor	MISC	Miscellaneous
NAT	Natural substances and extractives	NNS	Non-nutritive sweetener
NUTR	Nutrient	NUTRS	Nutritive Sweetener
PEST	Pesticide other than fumigant	PRES	Chemical preservative
SANI	Sanitizing agent for food processing equipment	SDA	Solubilizing and dispersing agent
SEQ	Sequestrant	SOLV	Solvent
SP	Spices, other natural seasonings & flavorings	SP/ADJ	Spray adjuvant
STAB	Stabilizer	SY/FL	Synthetic flavor
VET	Veterinary drug, which may leave residue in edible tissues of animals or in edible animal products

Food Additive Status List

Disclaimer

FDA offers this list as a service to the Field Offices. Inclusion of a substance in the Food Additive Status list does not necessarily represent its legal regulatory status. The regulations for food additives in 21 Code, Part 170 of Federal Regulations need to be consulted.

NOTE: The Food Additives Status List is provided only as a quick look-up on the use limitations for a food additive. It is possible that mistakes or omissions could have occurred. Additionally, there may be cases where the agency has offered interpretations concerning specific provisions of the regulations. For example, in the case of boiler water additives or other minor ingredients, processing aids, or indirect additives, FDA has not objected, in certain cases, to the substitution of ammonium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, or sodium salts for each other when only one is listed in a regulation. The Food Additive Status list is updated at regular intervals, so it may not reflect the latest information. For all these reasons, take care before advising a firm that a use of a particular food additive is prohibited or otherwise limited. Read the actual regulation. If there are any doubts or if a particular situation is unclear, you or your supervisor should consult with the CFSAN, Office of Food Additive Safety (HFS-200) at (240) 402-1200, or the Division of Petition Review (HFS-265) at (240) 402-1264, or the Division of Food Contact Substance Notification Review HFS-275 at (240) 402-1162, or the Division of Biotechnology and GRAS Notice Review HFS-255 at (240) 402-1221.

Source: The full list of direct and indirect food additives as provided by the FDA may be found through this link:

 http://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/foodadditivesingredients/ucm091048.htm

Posted By Felix Amiri

____________________________________

Felix Amiri is the current Food Sector Chair of GCSE-Food & Health Protection

Right Solution Provider for the Right Purpose:

This blog post has been moved to the author's eBook.

 Posted By Felix Amiri

____________________________________

Felix Amiri is the current Food Sector Chair of GCSE-Food & Health Protection

  

Fighting Fraud – Like Fighting Volcanic Eruptions

This blog post has been moved to the author's eBook.

Posted By Felix Amiri

____________________________________

Felix Amiri is the current Food Sector Chair of GCSE-Food & Health Protection

Recent Recall Notices:

First published in February 2013, Updated March 1, 2014, with response to Professor Lusk's claims:

Recent Recalls:

Click on the link below to go to the indicated country's listing:

Australia-ACCC

Australia/NewZealand - FSANZ

Canada-CFIA

Children’sProduct & Food Recalls

USA-FDA

UK-FSA

This blog post has been moved to the author's eBook.

Readiness to Face Future Challenges in the Food Industry

This blog post has been moved to the author's eBook.

 Posted by Felix Amiri

___________________________________________________________

Felix Amiri is currently the chair of GCSE-Food & Health Protection, and a sworn SSQA advocate.