FDA News Digest June 1, 2004 ________________________________________________ THIS WEEK'S NEWS -- Final Rule Sets Procedures for Detaining Suspect Food Products -- Recalls/Market Withdrawals -- Recent Speeches -- Public Meetings ______________________________________________________________ Final Rule Sets Procedures for Detaining Suspect Food Products FDA has issued a final rule that establishes procedures for detaining food when the agency has credible evidence that the food presents a serious health threat to humans or animals. The rule, required by the Bioterrorism Act of 2002 to help make the food supply secure, allows FDA to respond more quickly and effectively to prevent potentially contaminated food from reaching consumers. Press release: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2004/NEW01073.html Fact sheet: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fsbtac21.html ______________________________________________________________ RECALLS/MARKET WITHDRAWALS ONGOING RAW ALMOND RECALL -- Note: As part of an earlier recall of raw almonds by Paramount Farms due to possible Salmonella contamination, several almond distributors and retailers also are conducting recalls. Go to the links that follow to view information about the product recall from each outlet: -- Germack Brand Almonds http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2004/ANS01290.html -- Thrifty Nuts http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/thrifty05_04.html -- Bear Foods Market Raw Supreme Almonds, Bear's Delight Trail Mix, Diabetic Snack Mix, and Stehekin Trail Blazer http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/bear05_04.html -- Hammons Pantry Whole Almonds http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/hammons05_04.html -- Koeze Co. bulk raw almonds http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/koeze05_04.html -- National Bulk Food Distributors Swiss Trail Mix, California Mix (several varieties), High-Energy Mix, Amish Trail Mix, and Energy Plus Trail Mix http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/national05_04.html -- Metropolitan Market Almonds, Whole Raw http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/metro05_04.html -- Whole Foods Market whole or diced almonds http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/wholefood05_04.html The following other products are being recalled for the reasons shown. Go to the linked pages for more information. Minstrel Patient Lifts (possible mechanical problems) http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/arjo05_04.html Frico Brand Chevrette Goat's Milk Cheese (undeclared lysozyme made from egg whites) http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/schratter05_04.html Baja Bob's Mean & Lean Low Carb Bloody Mary Mix (undeclared anchovy paste) http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/sidepocket05_04.html For a listing of recalls, market withdrawals, and safety alerts involving FDA-regulated products from the last 60 days, go to http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html ______________________________________________________________ RECENT SPEECHES FDA Acting Commissioner Lester M. Crawford, D.V.M., Ph.D., at the Global Pharmaceutical Strategies Seminar (May 25) http://www.fda.gov/oc/speeches/2004/gpss0525.html To view an archive of speeches by FDA officials, go to http://www.fda.gov/speeches/speechli.htm ______________________________________________________________ PUBLIC MEETINGS June 10-11 -- "Strategies for Developing Therapeutics That Directly Target Anthrax and Its Toxins" (Bethesda, Md.) http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/04-10460.htm For a list of upcoming FDA meetings, seminars, and other public events, go to http://www.fda.gov/opacom/hpmeetings.html ______________________________________________________________ Thanks for subscribing to FDA News Digest. Our next posting will be June 7. To leave this list at any time, send an e-mail to LISTSERV@xxxxxxxxxxxx In the body of the message, write SIGNOFF FDA-NEWSDIGEST-L
