1. 미국 FDA, 한국산 굴 등 조개류 판매금지 조치 (2012년 5월 1일)

2. 미국 캘리포니아주, GM식품 표시제도 강화에 대한 주민투표(11월 실시예정)

FDA urges removal of some Korean seafood products from the marketThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is urging food distributors, retailers, and foodservice operators to remove from sale or service all fresh, frozen, canned, and processed oysters, clams, mussels, and whole and roe-on scallops (molluscan shellfish) from Korea that have entered the United States. This includes molluscan shellfish from Korea that entered the United States prior to May 1, 2012, when the FDA removed such products from the Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List (ICSSL), and that which may have inadvertently entered the country after that date. These products and any products made with them may have been exposed to human fecal waste and are potentially contaminated with norovirus.

Molluscan shellfish contaminated with fecal waste and/or norovirus are considered adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Following initial notifications in May, a number of food companies have begun to remove these products from their distribution chain. However, many others have yet to take action.

A comprehensive FDA evaluation determined that the Korean Shellfish Sanitation Program (KSSP) no longer meets the sanitation controls specified under the United States’ National Shellfish Sanitation Program. The FDA’s evaluation found significant deficiencies with the KSSP including inadequate sanitary controls, ineffective management of land-based pollution sources, and detection of norovirus in shellfish growing areas.

The deficiencies in the KSSP prompted the FDA to remove all Korean certified shippers of molluscan shellfish from the ICSSL on May 1, 2012. Although Korean molluscan shellfish represent only a small fraction of the oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops sold in the U.S., the removal of Korean shellfish shippers from the ICSSL is an important step in stopping the importation of molluscan shellfish harvested from polluted waters.

These actions only affect molluscan shellfish harvested from Korean waters. They do not affect the receipt of fresh and frozen molluscan shellfish by distributors, retailers, and foodservice operators from any of the other shellfish shippers listed in the ICSSL. Further, these actions do not affect the importation of canned and other processed product made with molluscan shellfish harvested from non-Korean waters. The FDA is in ongoing discussions with Korean authorities to resolve the issue.

Press release

California to vote on GMO labelingAccording to the Associated Press, California voters will decide this November whether to require special labels for food made from genetically modified ingredients. Advocates collected more than half a million signatures supporting the stronger labeling requirements, and the Secretary of State has certified the measure for the state’s November ballot.

If it passes, California would be the first state to require labeling of such a wide range of foods containing GMOs. The proposal would require most processed foods by 2014 to bear a label telling shoppers that they contain ingredients derived from plants whose DNA was altered with genes from other plants, animals, viruses, or bacteria.

Many backers of similar legislation in more than a dozen states say the intent is to give consumers more information about what they’re eating, and foster transparency and trust in the food system. Major agricultural groups and the processed food industry oppose stricter labeling, saying it risks sowing fear and confusion among shoppers.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says genetically modified foods pose no greater health risks than traditional foods. Opponents of labeling rules say they could prompt hikes in packaging costs. If the measure passes, most raw or processed food made from plants or animals with engineered genetic material would need to be labeled, although certified organic foods and alcohol would be exempted. Meat and dairy products also would not require a label if the animals are fed with genetically engineered grains.

AP article