Regulatory Transactions

From: Food Safety News

by Dan Flynn

That’s disappointing to some attending the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) meeting this week at the Rhode Island State Convention Center.

The new U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was passed by bipartisan majorities in Congress and signed by President Obama in January 2011, but implementation details have not been widely shared outside the federal government.

Editor’s Note: The article below discusses OMB’s modest use of longstanding Presidential regulatory review authority.

From: Washington Post

White House weakened EPA soot proposal, documents show

By Juliet Eilperin

The White House recently modified an Environmental Protection Agency proposal to limit soot emissions, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post, inviting public comment on a slightly weaker standard than the agency had originally sought.

The behind-the-scenes tweaking of the proposed soot standards, which affect particles measuring less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, sparked criticism that the White House was interfering with science-based decisions.

Editor’s Note:  OMB’s careful review of the draft FDA regulations, despite limited staff, is deserving of praise and is important to the long term safety of the food supply.

From: Food Safety News

More Deadlines Missed as FSMA Rules Remain Stalled at OMB

Key food safety rules have now been under administration review for 6 months

by Helena Bottemiller

Food safety advocates remain frustrated and confused as central Food Safety Modernization Act rules have failed to advance more than six months after they were sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget.