FDA Plans Less, More Targeted Sampling of Raw Milk Cheese in 2015, Says CIAA
The Food and Drug Administration intends to cut down on sampling of raw milk cheeses in 2015, but there “could be more targeted samplings, education efforts, and foreign inspections,” according to a bulletin (here) sent out by the Cheese Importers Association of America on March 3 following a meeting with FDA officials. FDA recently resumed its raw milk cheese sampling pilot program, according to the CIAA (see 1501200018). As of Feb. 16, the agency has taken 1,342 samples, of which 1,065 were on imported product, said the cheese industry group. The agency’s goal has been to take 1,600 samples, but FDA “is not planning to take another 1,600 samples in 2015,” said the CIAA.
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FDA is currently “looking at a risk assessment” on raw milk cheese, with the adoption of a performance standard for raw milk cheese being FDA’s “preferred approach” at this time, said the CIAA. However, any changes to the agency’s 60-day rule for raw milk cheese will require a formal rulemaking process, it said.