SafetyChain Publishes Infographics to Help Food Producers Better Understand two FSMA Rules – Quality Assurance & Food Safety

The two infographics cover FSMA's FSVP rule and the proposed 204 rule on traceability.
NOVATO, Calif. — SafetyChain has published two infographics that aim to provide summarized information about the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act’s (FSMA) proposed 204 rule and how to avoid a 483 for your Foreign Supplier Verification Program.
See both infographics below. 

 

Micro-encapsulated, slow-release insecticide aims to protect poultry from common pests.
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Neogen Corporation announced that it has added a new insect control solution for poultry producers to its Prozap product line.
Prozap Gamma-Defense is a micro-encapsulated, slow-release insecticide for use in and around poultry and other livestock housing, buildings and structures for the control of litter beetles, flies, fleas, ticks and other listed pests. The highly concentrated insect control solution is formulated with gamma-cyhalothrin, the newest and most potent pyrethroid available, Neogen said.
“Prozap Gamma-Defense is a powerful insect control solution for poultry producers,” said Coyee Hunt, an animal safety product manager at Neogen. “This formula is proven effective against adult and immature darkling, hide and carrion beetles, common pests that can have a significant impact on poultry production. Prozap Gamma-Defense provides strong protection against pests while offering a versatile label for application and control of problem insects on the farm.”
When treating for litter beetles, one quart treats up to 48,000 square-feet and can be applied in 21-day cycles. The versatile formula can be applied within poultry housing structures at clean out or in between flocks, and can be utilized as a barrier treatment outside the structure. Prozap Gamma-Defense can be used on the entire footing, cracks and crevices, or in banded applications.
The Food and Drug Administration provided an update on additional steps it has taken that will lead to more infant formula available in the U.S. under the agency’s recent increased flexibilities.
SILVER SPRING, Md. — The FDA is exercising enforcement discretion for the importation of Gerber Good Start Gentle following the review of information provided pertaining to nutritional adequacy and safety, including microbiological testing, labeling and additional information about facility production and inspection history. 
The agency is leveraging a number of flexibilities to bolster the supply of products that serve as the sole source of nutrition for many infants while ensuring the infant formula can be used safely and provides adequate nutrition. The FDA said it remains in further discussions with manufacturers and suppliers regarding additional supply to ensure there’s adequate infant formula available wherever and whenever parents and caregivers need it.
The FDA issued guidance on May 16 that outlined a process by which the agency would not object to the importation of certain infant formula products intended for a foreign market or distribution in the U.S. of products manufactured here for export to foreign countries. This guidance also may provide flexibilities to those who manufacture infant formula products domestically and may be able to increase further the quantity of domestically produced product for the U.S. market. The agency has posted a webpage that will be updated with information about additional products headed to the U.S.
Ongoing FDA Steps to Increase Availability of Safe, Nutritious Infant Formula
The agency said its around-the-clock work as part of the all-of-government efforts has already begun to improve supply and availability. The agency expects that the measures and steps it is taking, and the potential for Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Mich., facility to safely resume production in the near-term, will mean more and more supply is on the way or on store shelves moving forward. 
The FDA continues to advise against making infant formulas at home or diluting formula. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to work with their child’s health care provider for recommendations on changing feeding practices, if needed. The Department of Health and Human Services also has additional information available at hhs.gov/formula, including information to help families find infant formula.
The agency also monitors online marketplaces for fraudulent products and works with major online retailers to remove violative and harmful products offered for sale on their sites. Additionally, since many of these fraudulent products originate overseas, the agency targets and examines these products at ports of entry. The FDA also monitors and follows up on various external signals such as consumer complaints about potential counterfeit and fraudulent products.
The FDA will continue to dedicate all available resources to help ensure that safe and nutritious infant formula products remain available for use in the U.S. and will keep the public informed of progress updates.
USDA said its efforts to create more and better markets will benefit both producers and American consumers through fairer prices, as well as address longstanding issues intensified by pandemic.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing details of a framework to transform the food system to benefit consumers, producers and rural communities by providing more options, increasing access, and creating new, more, and better markets for small and mid-size producers. Today’s announcement builds on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine. This announcement also provides additional details on the June 2021 announcement to strengthen critical supply chains and address longstanding structural challenges that were revealed and intensified by the pandemic.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, USDA made significant investments through its Pandemic Assistance Program, providing immediate relief to producers, businesses, food workers and others. As the pandemic has evolved and Russia’s war in Ukraine has caused supply chain disruptions, it has become clear we cannot go back to the food system we had before: the Biden-Harris Administration and USDA recognize we must build back better and strengthen the food system across the supply chain, from how our food is produced to how it is purchased, and all the steps in between.
The goals of USDA’s Food System Transformation framework include:
Creating a fairer food system that combats market dominance and helps producers and consumers gain more power in the marketplace by creating new, more and better local market options: Just 14 cents of the food dollar go to producers on average – in large part because producers’ power in the marketplace has declined over the past 50 years with increased consolidation in the food system. Today, just a handful of companies dominate meat and poultry processing and just a few multi-national companies produce most brands and products on supermarket shelves. Right now, input prices and food prices are up—but so are the profits of major food companies and national supermarket chains. Covid has revealed the perils of a food system dominated by a few corporate players. USDA’s investments will deliver a better deal for farmers, ranchers, growers and consumers.
Making nutritious food more accessible and affordable for consumers: The pandemic exposed and exacerbated the challenges of food and nutrition insecurity in this country. A family in the United States not having access to affordable, nutritious foods is unacceptable. Hard-pressed families—including those who depend on school meals, SNAP, and seniors on fixed incomes—may have limited food options and some communities have been underserved by grocery stores and food retailers, making it difficult to access healthy food. USDA is committed to ensuring every American family has access to affordable, nutritious foods. That is why USDA’s Food System Transformation framework includes programs to ensure all consumers are able to access fresh, healthy, nutritious food
The Center for Foodborne Illness Research and Prevention at Ohio State University will partner with Sage Media to host the Aug. 4 workshop, which will guide food industry professionals through the steps to creating an actionable food safety culture strategy.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Center for Foodborne Illness Research and Prevention (CFI) at Ohio State University (OSU) announced a new partnership with Sage Media to provide food industry professionals with a one-day workshop guiding them through the necessary steps to create an actionable food safety culture strategy.
“We wanted to create something that is an extension of both Frank Yiannas’ work and the foundations provided by GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) within the position paper on food safety culture,” said Austin Welch, Sage Media co-founder. “By taking what we have learned over the years from developing food safety culture programs for global manufacturers and combining it with CFI’s reputation as a leader in research and prevention, we are able to offer something that many people in the industry have been asking for but didn’t previously exist.”
An abundance of literature in the market explains what food safety culture is and why it is important, according to Sage Media, but the goal of the workshop is to provide real-world strategies on how to make food safety culture a reality.
“Our objective is to develop evidence-based policies and practices that create a positive food safety culture from farm to table,” said Dr. Barbara Kowalcyk, executive director and associate professor, CFI at OSU. “We are excited to work collaboratively with Sage Media to develop the Food Safety Design Workshop.”
Added Gina Nicholson Kramer, REHS/RS, associate director of partnerships, policy and learning at CFI at OSU, “Science tells us that behavior modification begins on an emotional level.”
She explained the unique approach to the workshop: “Understanding practical strategies to engage emotions will inspire and motivate thousands of associates to create long-term food safety behaviors.”
The workshop aims to provide:
The workshop is scheduled to take place Aug. 4 in Pittsburgh. For more information, visit https://sage.media/.

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