AFI Update for May
2008 AFI Convention; AFI Cashew Standard; Pineapple Antidumping; ANUGA Reception; U.S. Asks China to Address Food Safety Issues; and More.
Please help us select the location for the 2008 AFI Convention by completing the survey e-mailed/faxed about 10 days ago. The choices are Marco Island, Fla. or Morocco. The convention committee is recommending Morocco but wants to be certain enough U.S. members are prepared to make the trip. We’re in the process of updating the proposed changes to the AFI Cashew Standard to reflect the comments made at the AFI Convention. Members will receive the revised document shortly and will be encouraged to offer further input. With Maui Pineapple ceasing production of canned pineapple as of June 30, there will be no domestic production of canned pineapple. AFI importer members and Thai exporters are discussing plans to file a changed circumstances petition that would request the antidumping duty order on canned pineapple from Thailand be terminated. Those attending ANUGA are encouraged to make plans to attend AFI’s ANUGA Reception. The reception will take place at 6 p.m., Sunday, October 14 in the convention center where ANUGA is held. There is no fee to attend the reception and members are encouraged to bring guests. Look for complete details shortly. U.S. Asks China to Address Food Safety Issues
On May 22-24, representatives of the U. S. government met with representatives of the government of China to request rapid action to accomplish certain goals related to food safety. The U.S. requested: -
Detailed information about the Chinese government's procedures, methodology, and technology for testing and quarantine, as well as information about its control measures;
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Raw data and the results of the testing by Chinese government entities of regulated products;
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The results of all tests for melamine in ingredients destined for human or animal consumption, on an ongoing basis;
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The imposition of a requirement for mandatory registration of Chinese firms that intend to export food and feed products to the U.S.;
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The prohibition of export to the U.S. of products from unregistered firms;
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The publication of a list of all registered Chinese firms and the periodic updating of such a list;
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The clearances necessary, including multi-year, multi-entry visas, for personnel from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct inspections in China, as determined necessary to protect public health in the U.S.;
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The clearances necessary for HHS/FDA to conduct systems audits to confirm the registered Chinese firms meet U.S. government food-safety requirements.
Senate Passes Broad Food Safety Legislation
The Senate passed broad food safety legislation that would, if enacted into law, require the following: -
It would impose a responsibility on food companies and food importers to report to FDA and to notify other companies in the supply chain, if they determine any article of food (other than a dietary supplement) they produce, process, manufacture, distribute, or handle is a “reportable adulterated food”.
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It would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create an adulterated food registry listing “reportable adulterated foods” and would require the secretary to issue alerts to the public about such foods.
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It would require FDA to collect, aggregate, and post on its website information about all recalls of human and pet foods during the recall.
While at present there is no companion legislation in the House of Representatives, public and Congressional interest could result in such legislation being adopted swiftly by the House. AFI is participating in two industry coalitions looking to address concerns with this proposed legislation.
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