EAS Blog
EAS Independent Consultants and staff provide in-depth regulatory expertise and authoritative reporting on a variety of compliance requirements for industries that EAS serves. Our experts break down complicated topics into easily understandable summaries and analysis. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive these monthly updates directly in your in-box.
FDA Proposes Rule to Strengthen Accountability for Foreign Tobacco Product Manufacturers
FDA Announces Proposed Rule Affecting Foreign Tobacco Product Manufacturers The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a proposed rule designed to strengthen oversight of foreign tobacco product manufacturers and improve accountability for tobacco products entering the U.S. marketplace....
USDA Opens Food Safety Outreach Grant Competitions
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has opened applications for its 2026 Food Safety Outreach Grant Program, which will provide nearly $10 million in funding for food safety education, training, outreach, and technical assistance projects. Applications are due July 20. According...
FDA Updates Pesticide Monitoring Program for Domestic and Imported Foods
FDA Modernizes Pesticide Monitoring Compliance Program The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced several updates to its pesticide monitoring compliance program designed to strengthen oversight of pesticide residues in domestic and imported foods. The revisions update Compliance Program...
Import Seafood HACCP: Understanding FDA Requirements for U.S. Seafood Importers
Importing seafood into the United States carries specific responsibilities under FDA’s Seafood HACCP regulations. Firms importing fish and fishery products must comply with 21 CFR 123.12 and establish appropriate verification procedures to demonstrate seafood import compliance.
Animal Food GRAS: Unpacking the Essentials
This webinar explores the history and legal basis of GRAS, compares GRAS to alternative regulatory pathways, and reviews FDA notification and self-determined GRAS approaches. The presentation also discusses the role of qualified experts in establishing GRAS conclusions, species-specific safety considerations, and regulatory challenges associated with novel animal food ingredients.
USDA Launches Small Processors Action Plan to Support Meat and Poultry Industry Growth
USDA Announces New Support Initiatives for Small Processors The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released a Small Processors Action Plan aimed at strengthening the nation’s meat and poultry processing sector through technical assistance, workforce development, regulatory support, and targeted...
FDA Updates Food Traceability Rule FAQs with Six New Clarifications
FDA Adds New Frequently Asked Questions on the Food Traceability Rule The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has updated its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) resource for the Food Traceability Rule, adding six new questions and answers that address common implementation scenarios. The Food...
FSIS Launches Pilot Program to Expand Listeria Verification Sampling in Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Establishments
FSIS Expands Environmental Sampling Activities Through New Pilot Program The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced a pilot program designed to strengthen oversight of ready-to-eat (RTE) post-lethality exposed meat and poultry establishments. The...
FDA Expands Sunscreen Options for the First Time in 20 Years
FDA Takes Action to Expand Available Sunscreen Ingredients The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced a significant milestone in sunscreen regulation by expanding the list of permitted sunscreen active ingredients for the first time in more than 20 years. The action adds bemotrizinol as...
FDA is Hosting a Public Meeting on Implementation of the Food Traceability Rule
FDA is hosting a virtual public meeting on June 15, 2026, to give the public an opportunity to share information on implementation of the Food Traceability Rule and areas of remaining concern, specifically as they relate to lot-level tracking and flexibilities for compliance. To register, please...
House Lawmakers Introduce Gluten Allergen Bill
Reps. Emanuel Cleaver (MO) and Betty McCollum (MN) have introduced the Celiac Safety Act of 2026, legislation that would require foods containing wheat, barley or rye to identify “gluten-containing grain” as a major food allergen under federal food labeling law. According to the bill sponsors, the...
Importing Meat, Poultry and Egg Products to the United States
Understanding FSIS requirements from country eligibility through import reinspection.By Robert J. Berczik, Jr., EAS Consulting Group Independent ConsultantThe U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the public health agency responsible for ensuring...
Drug and Device Corner 2026 May
Reminder that OMUFA user fee payments are due 1 June 2026. The agency allows a 20-day grace period before publishing facilities on the arrears list. Keep in mind, per regulation, drugs manufactured at facilities identified on the arrears list are considered misbranded. You can check both the Paid...
FDA Issues Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) Warning Letters
The FDA recently issued a series of warning letters citing companies for failure to comply with Foreign Supplier Verification Program requirements. In these cases, the FDA said the companies “did not develop, maintain, and follow an FSVP” for several imported food products sourced from foreign...
New FDA Guidance on Infant Formula Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) Studies
The FDA has issued final guidance for industry on Protein Efficiency Ratio rat bioassay studies used to demonstrate that new infant formulas meet the required “quality factor of sufficient biological quality of protein.” The guidance outlines the agency’s current recommendations for infant formula...
Publication of Final Rule: Visual Post-Mortem Inspection in Swine Slaughter Establishments
On May 21, 2026, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS or agency) published a final rule (Federal Register :: Visual Post-Mortem Inspection in Swine Slaughter Establishments) amending its regulations to end mandatory mandibular lymph node incision and viscera palpation of swine carcasses in...
Responding to Food and Seafood FDA 483s
When the FDA issues a Form 483 or Warning Letter, your response is critical—and time-sensitive. How you respond can directly impact regulatory outcomes, enforcement risk, and your firm’s credibility.
This webinar will walk through FDA expectations for responding to inspectional observations, along with proven strategies for developing clear, complete, and effective responses. Attendees will gain practical guidance on crafting responses that not only address findings, but also demonstrate control, accountability, and a path to sustained compliance.
Marty Makary Resigns as FDA Commissioner
Marty Makary Steps Down as FDA Commissioner Multiple news outlets are reporting that Dr. Marty Makary has resigned as Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after serving in the role for just over one year. Makary, a surgeon and public health researcher, became FDA Commissioner in...
FDA Issues Guidance on Enforcement Priorities for Unauthorized ENDS and Nicotine Pouch Products
FDA Updates Enforcement Priorities for Unauthorized Tobacco Products FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) has issued guidance titled “Enforcement Priorities for Certain New Tobacco Products Marketed Without Premarket Authorization.” The guidance outlines FDA’s current enforcement priorities for...
FDA Launches One-Day Inspectional Assessments to Expand Regulatory Oversight
FDA Introduces One-Day Inspectional Assessments The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced a new initiative called One-Day Inspectional Assessments, designed to expand oversight activities and improve the agency’s ability to evaluate regulated facilities more efficiently. According to...
FDA Updates Biosimilar Q&A Draft Guidance
FDA has released updated draft guidance on biosimilar development, clarifying how sponsors can use non-U.S.-licensed comparator products to support biosimilarity and what is required during FDA review.
USDA Announces Creation of Office of Seafood to Strengthen Industry Coordination
USDA Establishes Office of Seafood The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the creation of a new Office of Seafood, aimed at strengthening coordination, policy development, and support for the U.S. seafood industry. According to USDA, the new office will focus on improving collaboration...
Drug and Device Corner 2026 April
Reminder that the annual GDUFA self-ID submission period begins 1 May 2026. Submissions must be filed during the month of May. EAS can assist with this submission if needed. The 2026 OMUFA facility registration user fees were published in the 18 March 2026 Federal Register Vol 91, No. 51. There is...
FDA Releases Draft Guidance on Impurity Specifications for Antibiotics
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a draft guidance titled “Establishing Impurity Specifications for Antibiotics.” The guidance provides recommendations for manufacturers on establishing impurity limits for antibiotic drug substances and products, particularly those produced through...
FDA Releases FY25 Sampling Results on Economically Motivated Adulteration in Honey
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has released its FY2025 sampling results focused on economically motivated adulteration (EMA) in honey. The sampling program is part of FDA’s ongoing efforts to detect food fraud and ensure the authenticity of products in the marketplace. Honey has...
SQF Edition 10 Is Here: What It Means for Your Site and How to Prepare
The release of SQF Food Safety Code Edition 10 marks a significant evolution in how food safety systems are evaluated, managed, and audited. While updates to the SQF Code are expected, Edition 10 introduces structural, cultural, and digital changes that will directly impact how sites prepare for...
Responding to FDA Form 483 Observations at the Conclusion of a Drug CGMP Inspection: What Industry Needs to Know
When the FDA issues a Form 483 at the conclusion of a drug CGMP inspection, your response becomes a defining regulatory moment. How you address these observations can directly influence outcomes, including the risk of Warning Letters or further enforcement action. In 2026, the FDA released new draft guidance titled “Responding to FDA Form 483 Observations at the Conclusion of a Drug CGMP Inspection.” This will include a focused review of that guidance, breaking down key expectations and what they mean for industry.
Overview of the Coming National Drug Code Format Change
Presented by Victoria PankovichMay 20, 2026 | 1:00 PM ETEAS Consulting Group is hosting a complimentary webinar, Overview of the Coming National Drug Code (NDC) Format Change. The FDA has finalized a rule establishing a uniform 12-digit National Drug Code format, replacing the current 10-digit...
International Equivalence: What Foreign Governments and Exporters Must Get Right to Access the U.S. Market
Accessing the U.S. market requires more than product compliance. Learn how the FSIS equivalence process works and where foreign inspection systems often fall short.
Drug and Device Corner 2026 March
2025 CARES reporting deadline is next Tuesday 31 March 2026!The 2026 OMUFA facility registration user fees were published in the 18 March 2026 Federal Register Vol 91, No. 51. There is a lengthy explanation describing how the agency arrived at the user fee amounts. The user fee due on 1 June 2026...