Expert Recall

New Bill Threatens Food Pathogen Screening Program
07-18-2011
Mike Rozembajgier A spending bill approved by the House last month would cut all funding for the government’s Microbiological Data Program (MDP), the only national program that regularly screens fruits and vegetables for dangerous pathogens. If the bill passes the Senate, the food industry would see a shift in the oversight and recall management of contaminated food supplies.

FDA Completes Two Tasks Mandated by the FSMA
07-15-2011
Mike Rozembajgier After releasing both its draft strategy to prevent smuggling and draft guidance on agency expectations for dietary ingredients, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed two critical tasks required by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Both will help improve the FDA’s ability to regulate the marketplace and force product recalls.

CPSC Fines Macy’s $750,000 for Failure to Properly Handle Product Recall
07-12-2011
Mike Rozembajgier According to the CPSC, Macy’s failed to follow federal requirements to immediately report that it had sold children’s upper body outerwear with drawstrings located at or near the neckline. The CPSC found that the drawstrings in these sweatshirts, sweaters, and jackets could strangle a child and result in severe injury or even death.

Illinois Becomes Second State to Ban Cadmium Content in Children’s Toys
07-08-2011
Mike Rozembajgier In another important reminder of the increasing regulatory focus on the elimination of toxic metals and chemicals from consumer goods, the State of Illinois recently banned the use of cadmium in children’s jewelry. As both state and federal legislation continues to be debated, manufacturers and retailers should be aware of their vulnerability to cadmium contaminated products and be prepared in the event that they have to be recalled.

New GAO Report Finds Fault with FDA Recall Oversight
07-07-2011
Mike Rozembajgier A new Government Accountability Office report (GAO) on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) oversight of the medical device industry’s recall management process finds that the agency is failing to efficiently regulate the medical device industry. While the FDA oversees recalls of about 700 devices each year, the GAO report notes that the consumer agency could do a lot more to effectively assess whether those recalls have been effective.