Legislative

Beef country of origin labeling legislation introduced

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 22:24:48 -0400

U.S. Reps. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., recently introduced legislation to require the U.S. Trade Representative to reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for imported beef.

USDA-FSIS to chart new path on Salmonella control in poultry

jdillard@ofwlaw.com (John Dillard) — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -0500

On Oct. 19, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced it will undertake a new approach to regulating Salmonella in poultry.

EPA to review and revise wastewater discharge limits for the meat & poultry industries

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -0500

Water is a critical necessity in producing a safe and wholesome source of protein for consumers.

Strengthening Local Processing Act

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 16:09:51 -0400

A new piece of legislation was recently introduced in the House of Representatives and the Senate that will be a game changer for small processors.

State and federal governments offer mixed bag for small processors

gazdziaks@bnpmedia.com (Sam Gazdziak) — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 15:15:27 -0400

Meat processors and food safety inspectors both want the same thing: safe food. However, the relationship between the two entities can be touch-and-go at times. At the best circumstances, state or local governments and small meat plants can work together to develop successful operations that produce quality meat items.

CSPI petitions FSIS to implement enforceable Salmonella controls, supply chain requirements

jdillard@ofwlaw.com (John Dillard) — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 02:00:00 -0500

On Jan. 25, 2021, a coalition of food safety activist groups and individuals led by Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) petitioned the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to significantly change course on its approach to regulating Salmonella and Campylobacter.

Regulatory roundup

jdillard@ofwlaw.com (John Dillard) — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 11:00:00 -0500

There have been several recent events of note that will impact meat and poultry producers and processors. The recent election of President-elect Biden means there will be new leadership at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Regulatory implications associated with an administration change

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0500

Shortly after taking office in January 2017, the current administration followed up on a commitment to control regulatory costs by reducing regulation.

FSIS proposes to expand E. coli testing for non-O157 STEC

jdillard@ofwlaw.com (John Dillard) — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0400

On June 4, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS, or the agency) published a Federal Register notice, Expansion of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Testing to Additional Raw Beef Products.

Questions remain on Executive Order's effect

jdillard@ofwlaw.com (John Dillard) — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0400

On April 28, 2020, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order directing the Secretary of Agriculture to make use of the Defense Production Act (DPA) to assist meat and poultry companies in continuing to remain in operation or returning to operation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Operations during COVID-19

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Although much of the United States had been shut down at presstime, to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the country is depending on food manufacturers, distributors and grocery stores to stay in operation.

FSIS updates animal-raising, non-GMO feed claims

jdillard@ofwlaw.com (John Dillard) — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0400

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recently updated two guidance documents regarding meat and poultry labeling claims.

FSIS proposes beef Salmonella performance standards

jdillard@ofwlaw.com (John Dillard) — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0500

The notice proposes updated Salmonella performance standards for raw ground beef and new performance standards for beef manufacturing trimmings for establishments that produce more than 50,000 pounds of these products per day.

NAMI seeks to block California's Proposition 12

jdillard@ofwlaw.com (John Dillard) — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0500

Over the past decade, California's voters and legislature have supported several measures mandating changes in common meat and egg production practices with consequences that extend far beyond the state's borders.

Realities of new swine inspection rule

andrew@werfoodsafety.com (Andrew Lorenz) — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 11:00:00 -0400

The hot topic of the day is the new swine inspection rule. There appears to be a lot of fake news being tossed around, at the very least a lot of information about how this is going to affect industry and how the consumer is being left out.

Targeting Campylobacter

jdillard@ofwlaw.com (John Dillard) — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0400

On August 6, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing proposed revised Campylobacter performance standards for not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) comminuted chicken and turkey.

Summer regulatory roundup

jdillard@ofwlaw.com (John Dillard) — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has been relatively quiet the past few months in terms of new regulatory initiatives. There are, however, a few recent noteworthy developments.

Government issuances on foodborne pathogens

jdillard@ofwlaw.com (John Dillard) — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400

Although the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has been fairly quiet lately with regard to new regulatory initiatives, two recent issuances involving foodborne pathogens should be noteworthy to the meat and poultry industry.

FSIS issues guidance for responding to customer complaints

Fri, 03 May 2019 00:00:00 -0400

On March 11, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS or the agency) announced the availability of the guidance FSIS Guideline for Industry Response to Customer Complaints, 2019.

FSMA and transportation compliance

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 10:00:00 -0400

Within FSMA includes regulations specific to the sanitary transportation of farm-to-table food processing. That means motor carriers are specifically held responsible with regards to prevention practices during transportation.

FSIS, FDA to jointly regulate cell-based meat

jdillard@ofwlaw.com (John Dillard) — Mon, 04 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0500

Cell-culture technology will generate more headlines than protein for the foreseeable future. It is impossible to ignore the attention that the technology has garnered in the popular press and in the food and agriculture sector.

AAMP legislative updates

Fri, 01 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0500

Here are some of the latest updates taking place from the regulatory and legislative arenas. AAMP continues to ensure that the voice of the small processor is heard in Washington.

Building on the past to ensure a brighter future

Wed, 27 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0500

It is hard to believe that 2018 is behind us, and 2019 is here in all its glory. AAMP membership saw growth again for the fourth year in a row. Our association also saw a lot of expansions in our efforts on behalf of the members.

National Bioengineered  Food Disclosure Standard finalized

jdillard@ofwlaw.com (John Dillard) — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0500

On Dec. 20, 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) released a final rule to implement the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (the BE rule).

FSIS announces 2019 sampling and residue programs

jdillard@ofwlaw.com (John Dillard) — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 12:47:00 -0500

The programs are key components of the agency's verification activities to ensure inspections are effective at keeping microbiological contaminants and chemical residues out of commerce.

FSIS using civil injunctions as enforcement tool

jdillard@ofwlaw.com (John Dillard) — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 16:37:00 -0500

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is empowered with numerous enforcement tools by the federal laws it implements.

Use Quarterly Establishment Information Letters to improve

jdillard@ofwlaw.com (John Dillard) — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 13:55:00 -0500

The update to the Quarterly Establishment Information Letters (quarterly letters) reflects recent changes in pathogen characterization methods.

Battle over GIPSA fair-practices rules still brewing

cbailey@baileybrauer.com (Clayton Bailey) — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 06:02:00 -0400

Although new tariffs and multimillion-dollar jury verdicts in North Carolina hog nuisance trials have garnered most of the agribusiness community’s attention over the past several months, there is another matter brewing in a St. Louis courtroom that may have substantial adverse consequences for the meat industry.

Who will regulate 'cell-based' meat and poultry?

jdillard@ofwlaw.com (John Dillard) — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 09:34:00 -0400

One of the most controversial topics in the meat and poultry industry is the role that lab-grown meat and poultry products will play in the industry.

FSIS announces plans for Category 3 poultry establishments

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 17:46:00 -0400

On June 22, 2018, FSIS issued Notice 32-18, Actions To Take in Raw Poultry Establishments Exceeding Salmonella Performance Standards, instructing FSIS personnel on what actions to take at establishments that are exceeding Salmonella performance standards and are thus in Category 3.