Food Laws and Regulations Division
|
Food Laws and Regulations Division |
|
Newsletter - Vol. 8, No. 3 - Spring 1998 Table of Contents
Note: This issue of the Newsletter is also available as a
Food Laws and Regulations Annual Luncheon Meeting
Joseph A. Levitt was appointed Director, FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) on February 1, 1998. In this capacity, he provides executive leadership to the composition, quality, safety, and labeling of foods, food and color additives, and cosmetics. He began his FDA career in 1978 in the Office of the General Counsel. He later- joined the FDA Commissioner's Office progressing from Program Advisor to the Commissioner (1983), to Executive Assistant to the Commissioner (1984), to Director of Executive Operations (1987), and finally to Chief of Staff (l988). During 1989-1990, Mr. Levitt functioned as the agency's Acting Deputy Commissioner. In 1991, he joined FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health as the Deputy Director for Regulations and Policy. Mr. Levitt has received numerous awards for his contributions and achievements, including the FDA award of Merit in 1982, 1985, and 1987, the Commissioner's Special Citation- 1985 1989, 1992, 1993, 1995 and the PHS Superior Service Distinguishing Service Award in 1988 and 1996, the Secretary's Special Citation in 1989, and the Secretary's Certificate of Appreciation and Award for Excellence in Public Service in 1993. In 1992, Mr. Levitt received the Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank Award from President Bush. Mr. Levitt's BA degree is from Cornell University in 1975 where is graduated magna cum laude. He also graduated cum laude from Boston University School of Law in 1978 where he was a member of Law Review. Mr. Levitt is a member of the Massachusetts Bar and the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Please plan to attend you will not want to miss this informative and exciting speaker! You may purchase a ticket through the registration material for the IFT Annual Meeting or call 1-800-IFT-FOOD. Opening Session Keynote Speaker - Colin L. Powell
General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), is a legendary figure in America. Throughout his distinguished military career, he earned the reputation for leadership, calmness, and wisdom. particularly during crises at the highest levels of government. Prior to his retirement from the U.S. Army in 1993, Gen. Powell served for four years as the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Defense, under Presidents Bush and Bill Clinton. Among numerous U.S. Military decorations and public service awards, Gen. Powell received the prestigious Defense Distinguishing Service Medal (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), Bronze Star Medal, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom As the keynote speaker at IFT's 1998 Annual Meeting, he will discuss the importance of leadership and volunteerism, chronicling his life from childhood in the South Bronx, N.Y., to his military career and experiences as a best-selling author to his retirement and philanthropic endeavors. In his Speech, "The Management of Crisis and Change," Gen. Powell will also share personal anecdotes about world events and the leaders whom he has come in contact, offering views on leadership. Message from the Chair-Elect I am looking forward to an exciting year for the Food Laws and Regulations Division in 1998-1999. First off, the Annual Meeting. We have four symposia at the Annual Meeting covering important and timely topics in food laws and regulations: international food packaging laws and associated trade issues (Session #6, Sunday AM); products liability law and its interface with new food safety regulations (Session #13, Sunday PM), global regulation of biotechnology (Session #24, Monday AM) and the safety and regulatory issues surrounding nutraceuticals (Session #40, Monday PM). I hope you will be able to make the Annual meeting and attend as many of these symposia as possible. If you can't make the meeting, the symposia will be recorded and the tapes available for purchase from IFT. The Division will be holding a Luncheon on Monday, June 22, 1998 at the Annual Meeting. Joseph A. Levitt, Director for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition will be the keynote speaker at our Division Luncheon this year. Tickets are still available, see your IFT registration materials. Tickets for this event go fast--so plan on pre-ordering! Another first for our Division! After two years of planning, we will have our first ever technical session on food laws and regulations on Tuesday AM, June 23 (Session #54). I envision the FL&R technical session as a forum where our members can present results of research which falls at the Interface of law and science. This technical session will be a way to expand the scope of conventional food science and nutrition research and recognize that "research" is conducted in a much broader societal context. This technical session will address nutrient content claims under CODEX, European food labeling requirements, HACCP and SSOP provisions under the new federal food safety regulations. Two graduate students will be presenting papers in our technical session and I hope we will be able to use this technical session as a base upon which to build a strong graduate student paper competition in the coming years. Looking ahead to 1999, I see several emerging issues, which will impact our members and industry at large. A major area is the merger of environmental concerns with food quality and safety issues. Included in this arena are proposed rules on organic standards which is a big issue for us on the West Coast. Regulation of biotechnology internationally, and evaluation of the long term evironmental impact of these practices is receiving a great deal of attention in the popular press. The one area where we are seeing the merger between environmental issues and food safety regulations play out is with HACCP implementation. The hazard analysis requirements under the new HACCP regulations for aquatic food products, meat and poultry, and most recently unpastueurized juice products are forcing us to examine at a wide range of environmental factors which could affect the biological and chemical hazards of the foods we produce. The requirement for a hazard analysis is forcing us to look carefully at the ingredients we use, and to critically examine risk factors associated with the harvest areas and harvest practices for these ingredients. Environmental issues surrounding the microbiological safety of foods are beginning to receive more attention, finally - possibly due to implementation of HACCP regulations I predict that we will see HACCP based models applied in a much broader sense in agriculture. This is already happening in aquaculture because of the seafood HACCP regulations. Also, there are environmental groups looking to use HACCP based models as the basis for regulatory schemes which will eliminate or control presumptive "environmental hazards." One example is the application of HACCP principles to control the introduction of "exotic species into the environment via the food supply, by delineating these as "biohazards". As always, this is YOUR division and we need your involvement- your ideas and your concerns. In looking towards the 1999 meeting--what would you like to see on the program? What would you like to see the Division do this next year? Contact me, I want to hear from you.
Division Short Courses The Food Laws and Regulations Division is a cosponsor to two short courses being offered by IFT's Continuing Education Committee. These are Food Laws and Regulations (offered in cooperation with the Division, FDA, and USDA) and Food Labeling (offered in cooperation with the Division, the American Institute of Baking, and FDA). Both courses have been well received and a waiting list for registration generally results. Members of the Division are encouraged to register early to insure a spot in a course. The next Food Laws and Regulations course will be held in Washington, DC on August 3-4, 1998. Registrations are currently being accepted by IFT; call (312)782-8424 for more information. This course is an overview of basic requirements of federal laws and regulations (FDA and USDA) governing the production and marketing of food in the United States. It is especially good for people entering the food industry with little background or experience with laws and regulations, as well as, those getting new responsibilities that require this type of information. Foreign manufacturers looking to export food to the United States will find the short course particularly valuable. Each registrant receives a copy of the book Food Laws and Regulations and a notebook of extensive handout material. Food Labeling is scheduled for Mount Laurel, New Jersey (just north of Philadelphia) on September 22-23, 1998. The American Institute of Baking is taking registrations for this course. Call (800)242-2534 to register. This course covers in considerable detail the requirements for labeling FDA regulated foods. The book, Food Labeling-Requirements of FDA Regulated Foods, is available at a discount to registrants who also receive a notebook of extensive handout materials that serves as a good reference for future use
Brochures with registration information will be mailed about 3 months before each program. The Division receives $1,000 for its sponsorship of each program; your support is encouraged for your own continuing education needs as well as the financial welfare of the Division. Editor's Corner... As editors, we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to the Food Laws and Regulations Division Newsletter. Each contributor assisted in informing our members about FLRD committee meetings and activities, status of FLRD membership, financial status of our division, new laws and regulations in Washington, short course updates and activities at the Annual meeting in Atlanta. We have enjoyed getting to know all of you and being the editors of FLRD. --Mary Schmidl and Polly Olson, Editors Student Representative
This year there were two submissions for the Food Law and Regulation Division (FLRD) graduate paper competition. Three submissions are required for a competition so there will not be a competition at the annual meeting this year. Promotion of the paper competition to students early next year coupled with increased exposure due to the Annual Meeting technical session (two graduate student papers and two technical papers have been submitted for the 1998 technical program) there is good potential for a future paper competition. In the winter FLRD newsletter I proposed an informal pairing of students with professionals in the Division. Basically. interested professionals and students would be paired and meet sometime over the annual meeting. This format allows the individuals to fit a brief conversation into what is usually already a hectic meeting schedule. This response was minimal. If you are still interested please contact me. Another way to foster student involvement in the FLRD would be through the future co-sponsorship of the Annual meeting symposia by the Student Association and FLRD. Past co-sponsorship of symposia by the FLRD and other IFT divisions has proven to produce interesting synergy. Through joint sponsorship with the Student Association, the FLRD would gain additional interaction and exposure with the student members. I will pass this idea on to the next year FLRD student representative. Additionally. as the incoming president-elect for the Student Association I will be working toward increasing student/division interaction broadly. Finally. I would like to invite everyone to attend student events at the Annual Meeting this June. Some of events on the schedule are the Product Development Competition. IFTSA symposium, and the Undergraduate and Graduate Paper Competitions. Especially note the Student Association Welcome Session and College Bowl on Monday evening.
Calendar of Events July 27-31: 1998 American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) and American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Joint Meeting. Colorado Convention Center, Denver, Colorado. Call ADSA-.ASAS at 217-356-3182; fax 217-398-4119; Email: molly@assochq.org; website: www.adsa.uiuc.edu/meet/98meet. August 3-4: Food Laws and Regulations Short Course. Westin City Center, Washington, D.C. Cosponsored by the IFT Continuing Education Committee, The Food Laws and Regulations Division, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. $745. Call Dean Duxbury, IFT, at 312-782-8424; fax 312-782-0045. September 22-23: Labeling of FDA Regulated Foods Short Course. Mount Laurel, NJ. Co-sponsored by the IFT Continuing Education Committee, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and American Institute of Baking. $745. Call Dean Duxbury, IFT, 312-782-8424; fax 312-782-0045. News from the Hill USDA, USTR FORM SENIOR GROUP ON SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY AGRICULTURAL TRADE ISSUES WASHINGTON, May 6,1998 Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman and U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky announced the formation of a senior-level steering group to address foreign sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) trade issues that unfairly restrict U.S. agricultural exports. This steering group will have representation from USTR, USDA, the Food and Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of State. The group will coordinate broad policy guidance on priority foreign SPS measures that are inconsistent with World Trade Organization Agreement on Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) and have substantial policy and trade implications for U.S. agricultural exports. In establishing the steering group, Ambassador Barshefsky stated, "The number of foreign SPS barriers is on the rise, This steering group will address non-scientifically based SPS barriers that block our agricultural exports or otherwise threaten to restrict agricultural trade". Secretary Glickman stated, " This administration has established an impressive track record in resolving these trade issues. We will use this steering group to build on our successes Both Glickman and Barshefsky noted several outstanding SPS issues have been resolved since the implementation of the SPS agreement including the opening of export markets for California lemons, table grapes, kiwis, oranges and grapefruit to Chile: for 25 varieties of U.S. tomatoes to Japan and Taiwan; for U.S, sweet cherries to Mexico and China; for table grapes to China; for live swine to Argentina and Peru, for live cattle exports to Peru; for wheat to Brazil, and the successful resolution of arbitrary. non-science-based government-mandated shelf life requirements that blocked U.S. agriculture exports to Korea, The SPS Agreement requires that measures to protect human, animal or plant life, and health be based on an appropriate risk assessment, and not arbitrarily or unjustifiably discriminate between WTO members where the same conditions prevail. Contributed by Jack L. Cooper- Food Industry Environmental Network-Maryland. Web Site: www.erols.com/jlc Treasurer's Report
I was too optimistic at the time of the last Treasurer's report (December 29, 1997). We still do not have a final report on the Division's balance at the end of last fiscal year (August 1997), so we are once again working from an estimated end-of-the- year balance of $25,000.00 We still have not received income from courses sponsored by the Division with IFT during last year, with one exception. Since the December Treasurer's report, $500.00 from the "Understanding International Food Laws" course held June 13-14, 1997 in Orlando has been transferred into the Division's account from the Continuing Education account, giving us a balance of approximately $27,763.61. It is estimated that the Division is still due $5,500.00 income from courses conducted in 1997 and 1998. Dues received to date are $6,681.50 ($3,178.00 October-April) budgeted at $8,000.00. Expenses to date are at $4,346.89 ($3,107.00 since December 1997). All expenses are associated with putting out the newsletter, $4.900.00 was budgeted for this purpose. This leaves the Division with an estimated balance of $27,834.61 (not including income from courses). I have communicated with the Chicago office about the fact that we have neither a final balance from last year nor a report on income from courses presented last year. hopefully, we will have this information at the time of the next Treasurer's Report. Membership Report
The FLRD continues to be a strong and vital division within IFT. We have continues to attract new members based on the increasing interest in this exceptional confluence of interdisciplinary skills. Whether they are students, teachers, food scientists in academic, industry, or government settings, or lawyers with an interest in food and the law, there is a collective professionalism among members of the FLRD that adds networking, expertise, and communication advantages to those who are members. One of my personal favorite communication tools has been reading the messages on the FLR listserv, which has been supported so well by the former Chair of FLR, Ted Labuza, University of Minnesota. This is free and a great way to ask a question or to answer a question of other subscribers. Whether one asks about the regulatory status of an additive in another country or the availability of laws and regulations in the EU, answers have been provided in short order by fellow IFT members worldwide. The upcoming IFT Annual Meeting in Atlanta will feature several symposia dealing with food laws and regulatory matters. FLR members have been very active in planning the subjects and recruiting speakers for these. This is an excellent activity that might be of interest to new member prospects that would enjoy this challenge. The bottom line is that the work of virtually every member of IFT has some element that involves food laws and regulations either directly or indirectly. Each current member of FLRD should talk to your colleagues and invite them to join this Division. A Membership form is enclosed with this newsletter or for additional help they can contact Laurie Cornwell, IFT Customer Service Representative, Phone: 1800-IFT-FOOD; FAX (312) 782-8348: E-mail: lacornwell@ift.org For additional descriptions of the Division and its activities, you can surf the FLRD homepage at www.ift.org/divisions/food_law/index.html. 1998 Election Results
Special thanks to those who ran for election and everyone who voted! Thanks to John Tisler, Election Committee for counting ballots and reporting the results. Theodore Labuza, Ph.D., Past-Chair of Food Laws and Regulations Division, Professor, Dept, Food Science and Nutrition, University Minnesota Twin Cites, will receive the Marcel Loncin Research Prize for his work on texture of snack foods as well as the Nicholas Appert Award for advancing the science through his research on water activity and food stability and on shelf life prediction. A special note of congratulations to Mickey E. Parish, Ph.D., Professor of Food Microbiology, University of Florida will begin his term Sept. 1, as 1998-1999 IFT Congressional Science Fellow. FDA Emergence Response 24 hour /7 day Phone Coverage FDA now provides nationwide 24-hour emergence telephone service staffed with qualified personnel who are properly trained and experienced in responding to emerging and ongoing emergencies including: Foodhorne illness, drug product tampering, counterfeit products, product terrorism and emergency investigational new drugs. Where to call: FDA Headquarters (DEIO) 301-443-1240
Reporting Classified Emergencies and Complaints
Reporting Criminal Activity
For more information or if you encounter a nonworking telephone number, please visit the FDA World Wide Web home page at www.fda.gov for assistance. USDA Emergence Response 24 Hour/7 Day Phone Coverage Field Operations Headquarters-Washington, DC Phone 800-759-8888 (PIN 1130004)
FDA and USDA's Latest Developments - - - FDA proposes rules on structure/function claims In an April 29, proposal, FDA defined the criteria for allowable structure/function claims on dietary supplements and prohibited label claims that supplements can treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent a disease. Comments on the proposal, a response to recommendations made by Presidential Commission on Dietary Supplement Labels, are due by August 27. Structure/function claims state that the supplement has an effect on the structure or function of the body for maintenance of good health and nutrition. Examples, of allowable claims would include: "promotes regularity" or " helps maintain cardiovascular health." In accordance with the Dietary Supplement and Health and Education Act of 1994, supplement manufacturers are allowed to make or imply a disease claim in the product name, vignettes, graphics. and citations, the proposal stated. On the same day, FDA announced availability of its views on the Commission's recommendations and guidance. News releases and facts sheets are also available at FDA's web site: www.fda.gov - - - Science takes a back seat in organics rule Despite comments by IFT and other scientific societies urging a reasoned approach to the use of new technologies for foods labeled organic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced May 8th that food produced using irradiation, biotechnology, or municipal sludge cannot be labeled organic. "IFT believes blanket rejections or adoptions of new scientific tools will hinder progress," IFT had written in its April 29 comment about National Organic Program proposed rule. "Irradiation and genetic engineering are neither evils incarnate nor saving graces."
Contact Barbara Rasco for details on getting involved in FLRD! Phone 509-335-9103 or Ralph Grover at Phone 208-383-6377. Membership form is available on IFT's Home Page, tell a potential new member! This page is maintained by the Food Law and Regulations Division of the Institute of Food Technologists. To submit materials for posting on the Division's home page or to make other comments, contact David Haytowitz Return to: Top of Page | Food Law Home Page | IFT Home Page Last modified: July 02, 1998 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
