US VQIP: What It Is and Why You Want It
On January 1, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will open the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) application portal for fiscal year (FY) 2027. By
Author: TAG
H5N1 Incidence Continue to Stress Need for Broad Surveillance
Although there have been no federal updates on the spread of H5N1 since September 30, due to the government shutdown, updates made just prior to
How the Federal Shutdown Continues to Impact the Food Industry
While “mission-critical activities” of the FDA, USDA, and CDC are continuing during the federal government shutdown, with core food safety operations considered essential to protect
Deer Hunting and Consumption Carry CWD Risks
As hunting seasons begin opening across the U.S., it is a good time to remind hunters and venison consumers of the threat of chronic wasting
Outbreaks Gain Increased Transparency with Two New FDA Resources
In its continuing commitment to increased transparency, FDA is sharing more in-depth information on outbreak investigations, providing access to two new resources: TAG sees the
Crockpot Safety
I received a crockpot as a gift, but don’t know if I should use it. Does it really cook food safely? The short answer: Yes!
Buy Canadian Continues with Food Industry Accountable for Credible Claims
With the Canadian consumers’ continuing strong support for “Buy Canadian,” manufacturers and retailers need to take care in how they show their support to the
ACIP Sets New Recommendations for Vaccinations
Last week CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) held a meeting to discuss changes to the vaccination policies for chickenpox, COVID-19, and Hepatitis B.
FSIS Instructors Directive Gives Industry Insider View
USDA has recently put a lot more emphasis on allergen controls. But if USDA’s recent issuance of new instructions for its inspectors on how to
GRAS “Loophole” Gets One Step Closer to Closure
Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) has been a subject of discussion for much of 2025 with Robert F Kennedy Jr. seeking to “close the loophole”