While U.S. product recalls were relatively flat from the second to third quarter, expect an upsurge in the weeks and months to come as regulators – under growing pressure from Congress and consumer groups – turn their attention to currently unregulated categories. Part of that pressure on regulators is a result of past handling of product safety issues.
Continue ReadingFDA started issuing draft industry guidance related to Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food (PCHF) in January 2018, but the 16 chapters are still a work in progress. Most recently, the FDA alerted the industry in the federal register that Chapter 14: Recall Plan is now available. The PCHF guidance specifies that companies and organizations “must establish a written recall plan for food that requires a preventive control (21 CFR 117.139(a)).
Continue ReadingFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Stericycle Expert Solutions’ Recall Index shows halted safety inspections reduced U.S. recall activity across all industries in the first quarter of 2019 Indianapolis, IN – May 7, 2019 – Product recalls declined significantly across all industries for the first time since at least 2012, according to the first quarter 2019 Recall Index released today by Stericycle Expert Solutions (NASDAQ: SRCL).
Continue ReadingWhile the government shutdown seriously affected hundreds of thousands of people directly (and continues to do so), its impact is still lingering in other forms and some issues are just now coming into view. It turns out that even our holidays aren’t beyond the reach of the shutdown’s impact. If you’re thinking about sending, or hoping to receive, flowers for Valentine’s Day this year, you may be in for a bit of a shock—and that includes sticker shock. The majority of imported perishable goods enter the U.S.
Continue ReadingThe reduced size, weight and power consumption of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries has been a boon for medical device manufacturers seeking to create more portable and convenient products. But the efficiency gains of Li-ion batteries are tempered by the increased safety risks and regulatory concerns the technology poses. As multitudes of viral videos confirm, products with Li-ion rechargeable batteries have the potential to overheat, explode and catch fire.
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