Barring any major food-safety incident in the near future, it’s looking less likely that any food safety legislation will be passed this year, in part because it’s typically difficult to pass legislation in the second half of a presidential election year.

That doesn’t mean we can relax. Work is still being done to get agreement on legislation that could be introduced later this year or next year. AFI continues to stress that a risk-based approach is needed with respect to existing and future food-safety screening. We continue to assert the quickest, most-efficient way to achieve the goal of a risk-based approach is to enhance FDA’s computer system.

HACCP continues to be mentioned in most proposals. I encourage members not familiar with HACCP to read up on it. This link on the FDA website is a good place to start: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/haccp.html. It would also be wise to determine how familiar your suppliers are with HACCP.

Judging from the calls and e-mails I’ve received. most or all members have received the information about AFI’s Member Rewards Program. A few members told me they’ve got several prospective members in mind already. Through the program, you’re guaranteed to win a prize every time you refer a new member.

If you didn’t receive the contest information or have questions, please contact the AFI office.

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Honey Industry Approves New Promotion Order

Honey packers and importers passed a referendum creating a new research and promotion order for honey. The order, known as the Packer-Importer Board, replaces an existing order. The new order will be much more streamlined. Approximately the same amount of funds will be collected but there will be approximately 100 assessment payers instead of several thousand for the previous program.

The National Honey Packers and Dealers Association, a section of AFI, played a big role in getting industry consensus for the new board.

Representatives from several AFI-member firms met May 28 in Washington with Vietnamese officials to present importer concerns about performance issues on contracts with Vietnamese cashew shippers.

AFI members presented an overview of the problem and provided some specific examples of instances in which recent contracts have not been honored. The officials asked AFI for some more information and pledged to follow through to try to help in addressing the issue.

AFI will provide the requested information, though only with member approval of information related to their contracts, and press the officials and officials in Vietnam for assistance.

USDA is seeking comments on a proposed revision to the U.S. Standards for Grades of Olive Oil. The proposed standard is nearly identical to the International Olive Council standard followed by members of AFI’s North American Olive Oil Association. NAOOA members said they would have preferred the proposed standard mirror the IOC standard but said the differences are not significant enough to warrant opposition.

The proposed revised standards include objective criteria for the various grades of olive oil and olive-pomace oil, including definitions for extra virgin olive oil, virgin olive oil, olive oil, refined olive oil, and olive pomace oil. It’s important to note USDA grade standards are voluntary.

Written comments, postmarked no later than Aug. 1, 2008, should be sent to Chere L. Shorter, Processed Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, Stop 0247, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0247; by e-mail at chere.shorter@usda.gov; or fax (202) 690-1527.

Electronic copies should be submitted to www.regulations.gov. Copies of the notice are available from the same address.

Members importing processed artichokes, capers, pepperoncini and boiled oysters are reminded to take advantage of the duty reductions secured by AFI by using the new HTS numbers for these products. The duty reductions have been in place for more than one year, so the amount of money involved could be quite substantial. Contact the AFI office to have the information re-sent to you.

Exporters should remind their customers about the reductions.

June 27, 2008 – North American Olive Oil Association Annual Meeting, New York

AFI will host a reception at SIAL in Paris, October 19-23.