by Adam Orr, EAS Consulting Group Independent Consultant
As you know, food is regulated by the FDA under the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). In brief, it defines food as articles used for food or drink for man or other animals and defines food additives as any substance which may result, directly or indirectly, in becoming a component of food or affecting its characteristics, unless it is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for its intended use (21 U.S.C. section 321).
It is the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and Division of Animal Food Ingredients that oversees the regulation of animal feed and pet food. There are currently four options to address the regulatory status of a new ingredient for livestock, poultry, aquaculture, or pet food.
As a member of the Certified Group and Food Safety Net Services, EAS clients have access to world-renowned testing laboratories that meet your organization’s sophisticated needs. In this column, you’ll hear about their capabilities, environmental challenges and more. We hope you’ll enjoy a look “under the microscope.”
By Gary C. Smith and Keith E. Belk, Colorado State University
You bet there are! All of our food – like everything in the world – is made up of “chemicals” (i.e., all things consist of one or more – like carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, etc. – of the 118 elements on the Periodic Table). Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, micronutrients, vitamins, minerals, even water – they’re all chemicals or comprised of chemicals. If we don’t want to consume any chemicals, we’ll have nothing to eat or drink.3
Interested in more food safety training? FSNS offers live and virtual education events.
Food Safety Net Services (FSNS) provides certified food safety training courses for food processing and manufacturing personnel. Our schedule includes both virtual (live, instructor-led) and in-person food safety courses at locations across the United States.
Congratulations to Senior Director for Drug and Device Services Lisa El-Shall for being named the American Society for Quality’s 2026 Chair Elect!
ASQ’s Board of Directors includes a diverse group of distinguished professionals with a wealth of experience and expertise from various sectors. These individuals provide strategic guidance and governance to support the association's mission to empower individuals and communities worldwide to achieve excellence through quality.
The American Society for Quality (ASQ) is the leading membership association committed to quality management and practices to support individuals to achieve their career goals, make global connections, access peer-reviewed resources and training, and drive excellence through quality for organizations and industries.
ASQ provides expertise, knowledge, networks, and solutions to a global membership of over 40,000 individuals spanning more than 130 countries. ASQ was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., USA.
Presented by Kevin Ragland, EAS Consulting Group Independent Consultant
May 14, 2025 at 1:00 PM ET
Pet supplements and nutraceuticals are extensively used by dog, cat, and horse owners throughout the United States, contributing billions of dollars in revenue for manufacturers. Despite their widespread adoption, these veterinary products face relatively limited oversight and regulation compared to human dietary supplements. This seminar explores the existing regulatory landscape for pet supplements and nutraceuticals designed for dogs, cats, and horses.
Presented by Presented by Shelly Blackwell, Senior Director for Dietary Supplement and Tobacco Services
May 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM ET
Since the FDA’s dietary supplement cGMP regulations (21 CFR Part 111) were published, specifications and testing have been consistently one of the most frequently cited FDA observations. Specifically, industry continues to face challenges in complying with the specification and testing requirements for dietary supplement components.
This webinar will examine the requirements for specification establishment and testing for dietary ingredients and other ingredients. We will review the specific regulations, FDA’s interpretation of the regulation as demonstrated through enforcement, and practical ways to comply with the requirements.
Presented by Dr. Mark Kantor, EAS Consulting Group Independent Consultant
June 4, 2025 at 1:00 PM ET
Many people have difficulty understanding the Nutrition Facts label, especially with regards to properly interpreting and using the information about serving sizes and the percent Daily Values. This webinar will clear up some of the confusion about these and other labeling issues, and will answer such questions as:
What exactly is the percent Daily Value and why is it not included for all the nutrients that are listed on the label?
How should I use the percent Daily Value in deciding which foods to purchase?
Why do some labels have two columns of nutrition information?
Why do some labels include a relatively large number of vitamins and minerals, and some hardly list any at all?
This webinar will also discuss some of the science that went into developing the Nutrition Facts label and explain why FDA decided to update and modernize the label in 2016. By attending this webinar, you will become a more knowledgeable label reader.
The EAS Consulting Group team are proud sponsors of the 2025 FDLI Annual Conference, happening May 15–16 in Washington, DC and virtually! The FDLI Annual Conference is the leading event for food and drug law professionals. Join top voices from FDA, industry, law, and academia for two days of essential updates, networking, and forward-thinking discussion. View the full agenda and register now at fdli.org/annual25. Stop by the EAS booth and say hello!
Food Safety Testing: Do it Right and Avoid Costly Recalls
Food safety testing is not only required by regulating bodies, but it also helps prevent contaminated product from getting out the door, harming people and your business.
Read EAS Senior Director Tim Lombardo’s thoughts on Food Safety Testing featured in Food Engineering Magazine’s March 2025 issue.
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We’re Hiring Independent Contractors!
EAS is always interested in broadening our industry experience and expanding our independent consultant team. If you’re interested in joining EAS as a 1099 contract employee, please email your CV to Dean Cirotta at dcirotta@easconsultinggroup.com.
Consultant Corner
EAS offers over 150 independent consultants strategically located around the globe whose expertise provide core value for clients.
Issue of the Month Author
Adam Orr
EAS Consulting Group, EAS Independent Consultant
Adam Orr is a Certified Professional Animal Scientist and an Animal Nutritionist with a lifetime of experience in and around multi-species animal agriculture. The past 15 years have been spent at the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine and the Division of Animal Food Ingredients (formerly Division of Animal Feeds) as a Subject Matter Expert working in pre-market review of animal feed ingredients and additives related to utility, target animal safety, protocols, and labeling. Expertise brought to EAS include label reviews, claims, regulatory study design, compilation and review of regulatory submissions including: animal Food Additive Petitions (FAP), Investigational Food Additives (IFA), Food Use (Slaughter) Authorizations (FUA), Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) Notifications, Animal Food Ingredient Consultations (AFIC), forthcoming Zootechnical Additives, and Feed Ingredient Definitions of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
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