Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 5, 2024
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has published a notice to industry to remind manufacturers and importers of their obligation to ensure chocolate products do not contain undeclared milk allergens. In 2022 and 2023, there were multiple non-compliances due to undeclared milk in dark chocolate samples tested by the CFIA, many of which resulted in recalls. Undeclared allergens can pose serious health problems for consumers who are allergic to them, sometimes even causing death. It is your responsibility to ensure that the food you import or manufacture is safe and meets Canadian requirements. Consult the notice to industry for guidance on how to prevent ingredients that contain milk allergens from contaminating chocolate and how to ensure that milk allergen hazards are appropriately declared on food labels. The Animal Feed Program has published a notice to industry regarding the 2024 livestock feed registration renewals: Notice to industry: 2024 livestock feed registration renewals. At this time, stakeholders are encouraged to treat the 2024 renewal period as a normal renewal under the Feeds Regulations, 1983. Stakeholders who have registered livestock feeds due for renewal by March 31, 2024, will receive their notification for renewal and related documents by e-mail. The purpose of this Notice of Intent is to inform people living in Canada of the Minister of Health’s intention to make the Marketing Authorization repealing certain Marketing Authorizations issued under the Food and Drugs Act, which would repeal the following 16 food-related marketing authorizations: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, we, or the Agency) is announcing the availability of a revised draft Introduction, and a revised draft Appendix 1, within a multichapter guidance for industry entitled “Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food.” This multichapter draft guidance, when finalized, will explain our current thinking on how to comply with the requirements for hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls under our rule entitled “Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food.” We revised the draft Introduction and draft Appendix 1: Known or Reasonably Foreseeable Hazards (“Potential Hazards”) to address comments submitted on drafts that we made available in 2016. This draft guidance is not final nor is it in effect at this time. The purpose of this consultation is to update stakeholders on progress made to date towards modernizing the Seeds Regulations and to request feedback on specific recommended regulatory amendments. Your feedback will inform decision-making. The consultation closes May 1, 2024 The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is seeking comments on the following 15 proposed new viable microorganism descriptions. The Feeds Regulations require a proponent to submit a pre-market application for single ingredient feeds (SIFs) that are new, have been modified such that they differ significantly from a conventional SIF, or are for a new purpose. The CFIA evaluates the information in the application to establish that the SIF is safe, effective, and labelled correctly. Following the CFIA’s evaluation and determination of the safety and efficacy of this SIF, and since no significant concerns were raised during consultation, the CFIA has finalized the SIF description and has approved the use of 3-NOP with the following description: – Part 1 – Class 6 – Non-nutritive ingredients – Subclass 6.19.4 (Gut modifier ingredients: Ingredients for the mitigation of environmental impacts related to livestock production) Please be advised that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has updated the directive D-96-07: Import requirements for screenings and grain and seed for cleaning. The list of updates and superseded policies can be found on page 1 of the directive. If you have any questions, please contact your local CFIA office. Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is proposing changes to its fee structure associated with Health Canada’s post-market regulatory activities with respect to pesticides (in other words, the annual charge). The proposed changes are being brought forward to more accurately reflect the costs for Health Canada’s regulatory activities on pesticides, while also ensuring that appropriate mitigation measures are in place to minimize the economic burden on small businesses and enable continued access to certain pesticides. The draft assessment for the Phenylpropanoids and Aldehydes Group has been published. It is proposed to conclude that 12 substances may be harmful to human health and meet the criteria under paragraph 64(c) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). A risk management scope has been published concurrently to initiate discussions with stakeholders on the risk management options being considered. Comment period ends April 3, 2024. The updated draft assessment for hydrogen sulfide (H2S), sodium sulfide (Na(SH)) and sodium sulfide (Na2S) has been published. It is proposed to conclude that H2S may be harmful to the environment and to human health and meets the criteria under paragraphs 64(a) and (c) of CEPA. A risk management scope has been published concurrently to initiate discussions with stakeholders on the risk management options being considered. It is also proposed to conclude that the remaining two substances do not meet any of the criteria set out in section 64 of CEPA. Comment period ends April 3, 2024. The Consumer Product Enforcement Summary Reports provide information to industry and consumers on products reviewed by Health Canada. The Reports inform Canadians as to which products met or did not meet safety standards and include: The Workplace Hazardous Materials Bureau has issued the January 2024 newsletter featuring the following: The Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is responsible for pesticide regulation in Canada. The public registry is where you can learn more about all pest control products registered for use in Canada.
WorkSafeBC has updated our Planned Inspectional Initiatives to reflect the areas of focus and prevention activities for 2024. A company that closed its doors in the wake of a worker’s death has been issued a $100,000 fine for failing to comply with materials handling requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). The worker was killed after being struck by a slab of granite that tipped over while being removed from a storage rack. The company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the stone slab was removed from the rack in a manner that would not endanger the safety of any worker, as per section 45(c) of Industrial Regulation 851. Recent legislative amendments have led to the adoption of nationally harmonized safety standards for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at WorkSafeNB. Notably, this includes an update to head protection requirements. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, we, or the Agency) is amending the regulations for food additives permitted in feed and drinking water of animals to provide for the safe use of chromium propionate as a source of chromium in turkey feed. This action is in response to a food additive petition filed by Kemin Industries, Inc. DATES: This rule is effective January 30, 2024. See section V for further information on the filing of objections. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is proposing through this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to issue a new safety and health standard, titled Emergency Response, to replace the existing Fire Brigades Standard. The new standard would address a broader scope of emergency responders and would include programmatic elements to protect emergency responders from a variety of occupational hazards. The agency requests comments on all aspects of the proposed rule. Comments on this NPRM (including requests for a hearing) and other information must be submitted by May 6, 2024. Join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on February 20, 2024, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST for a webinar on the five chemicals currently undergoing prioritization under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The webinar is open to all, but EPA is particularly interested in learning more about how these chemicals are used and how people could potentially be exposed at different points in a chemical’s lifecycle. EPA is also interested in hearing from members of communities who may be impacted by chemical exposures. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposes to increase flexibility for State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) and commercial driver’s license (CDL) applicants by expanding applicants’ ability to take a CDL skills test in a State other than their State of domicile; permitting a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holder who has passed the CDL skills test to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) on public roads without having a qualified CDL holder in the passenger seat; eliminating the requirement that an applicant wait at least 14 days to take the CDL skills test following initial issuance of the CLP. The seventh meeting of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH7), which is hosted by the Government of India, has concluded in Kochi, Kerala, India, with agreement to forward three texts to the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) for adoption, and to start new work on four different spices or culinary herbs. The Committee agreed to forward to CAC47 for final adoption the draft standard for dried small cardamom (at Step 8), the draft standard for spices in the form of dried or dehydrated fruits and berries: part A – requirements for allspice, juniper berry, star anise (at Step 8), and the proposed draft standard for turmeric (at Step 5/8). CCSCH7 also agreed that new work should start on standards for sweet marjoram (proposed by Egypt), coriander (proposed by India), large cardamom (proposed by Bhutan and Nepal), and cinnamon (proposed by Brazil) and submitted these new work proposals for approval by CAC47. To help close data gaps and contribute to better guidance for nutrition-sensitive agrifood systems policies, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has created a new domain in the FAOSTAT portal. The domain presents harmonized food and nutrient statistics from different types and sources of dietary data. It reports statistics on the availability, apparent consumption, and dietary intake of foods, energy and 17 main nutrients thus capturing different dimensions across the food supply chain, from supply through to individual-level consumption. Thanks to everyone that made a submission last year about proposed amendments to the Industrial Chemicals (General) Rules 2019 and Industrial Chemicals Categorisation Guidelines. We reviewed all responses. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has launched ECHA CHEM, a new new solution for publishing information on chemicals. The first release, available now, includes information from all REACH registrations – and there is more to come. Safety Share Some people thrive in the winter. Whether they are enjoying time outside in the snow or cozying up in front of the fireplace with a good book, winter can bring unique joys. For many, however, winter can also bring unique challenges. With less sunlight, shorter days, and grey skies, these darker, colder months can affect how well some people feel and perform. While these effects range in severity, some people may experience what is known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) — and leaders should be prepared to address it. Have an event you would like to share? Please send details to [email protected]. Businesses needed to re-evaluate health and safety protocols and the importance of continuing to educate workers and address issues that are relevant to today’s workforce remains a priority. Some of the biggest challenges faced include supply chain disruptions, resource limitations, staff shortages/high turnover, and supporting a psychologically safe workplace. The next European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Conference will take place on 28 February 2024 in Helsinki. As we are preparing the programme, we want to hear what would be the most important topics for you. So, fill in our short survey and help us shape a relevant and inspiring stakeholder event. The 2024 SOT Annual Meeting and ToxExpo will take place March 10–14, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Visit the 2024 website to view upcoming deadlines. Weaving together technical application presentations with case studies and project overviews, ensure your seat at the table for this important plant operations conference! Plan to attend Canada’s premier environmental event, as it returns to a fully in-person format that is designed to meet your compliance needs, and connect you to experts and peers. The Baking Association of Canada’s national baking industry event will feature a bustling trade show and conference, inspirational speakers, education sessions, competitions and demonstrations and countless opportunities to network and benefit your business. Collaborate and network with thousands of your colleagues, experts from several industries, and NFPA staff on life, fire, and electrical safety innovation at the 2024 NFPA Conference & Expo.Advocacy
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