The aim is to open markets in Europe and Asia in order to offset the decline projected in tobacco exports to the US because of new FDA regulations.
The goal of the Nicaraguan Cigar Association is to gain a "... 20% increase in sales to Europe, where a little less than 10% of the product is consumed, as the rest currently goes to the United States."
An announcement has been made that the company Apollo Endosurgery is to set up a 1750 meter device manufacturing plant in the Coyol area in the province of Alajuela.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Coalition for Development Initiatives (CINDE):
Apollo Endosurgery, Inc., a US medical device company, today announced that it has chosen Costa Rica as a site to install its new manufacturing plant in Coyol, Alajuela, where it will develop a variety of products including LAP-BAND® System - the only device approved by the FDA for weight reduction in people with at least one health problem related to obesity and who have a Body Mass Index of 30 or more.
The FDA now requires calorie information to be included on menus of restaurants, chain, similar retail food establishments and vending machines with 20 or more locations.
From a statement issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) US:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States has finalized two regulations requiring the inclusion of calorie information on menus and menu boards in chain restaurants, similar retail food establishments and vending machines with 20 or more locations, in order to offer consumers greater nutritional information on food eaten outside of the home. The regulations are a requirement of the law on Affordable Health Care and Patient Protection 2010.
The Food and Drug Administration has included in its black list the company Iberoamericana de Mariscos after finding salmonella in its product.
The Food and Drug Administration agency of the United States has included in a list of banned products shrimp packaged by the company Iberoamericana de Mariscos, after salmonella was detected in the product.
The U.S. FDA has extended, until January 27 2014, the period for comment on new regulations for foreign suppliers and external auditors.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The Food and Drug Administration ((FDA) has extended the comment period on the programs 'Verification for Foreign Suppliers for Importers of Food for People and Animals and Accreditation of External Auditors' until January 27, 2014.
The Exporters Corporation has created a plan to increase exports to $10 billion a year within five years.
Entrepreneurs believe that if the correct measures are applied export earnings could double within five years. According to Pablo Duran, president of the Exporters Association of El Salvador (COEXPORT), the proposal gives potential annual growth of 20%.
Two new programs propose verification regulations on foreign suppliers for importers of food used for human and animal consumption.
The new rules proposed by the Bureau of Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA), is in the process of public review and comment for a period of 120 days.
The first set of rules "... would require U.S. importers to verify that their suppliers produce foods that meet U.S.
In the 2013 edition of the fair, participants closed $14 million in deals, plus $42.6 million in future purchasing intentions.
From a statement by ProNicaragua:
More than $14 million in business deals were signed during LAC Flavors 2013, the highest amount among the five editions of the annual business meeting, an increase of 363% compared to the $4 million conducted in the previous edition.
The FDA has released a new version of its guidelines on good manufacturing practices for the cosmetics industry, with the aim of standardizing procedures.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a guide that provides guidance on good manufacturing practices in the cosmetics industry, with the goal of helping identify the standards and factors which have an affect of the quality of products.
From February 2013 the FDA will implement two new food safety standards.
A statement from the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) reads:
FDA proposes new rules to ensure food safety
As of February 4, 2013 the Food and Drug Administration of the United States of America (FDA) will implement two new food safety rules that will help prevent foodborne disease (FBD) in the United States.
Regional exporters of fresh food products to the United States must renew their registration with the FDA between October 1 and December 31.
A statement from PROCOMER reads:
Costa Rican exporters must renew their registration with the U.S. FDA
Costa Rican exporters of food and fresh produce as well as other countries whose products are destined for the U.S., must renew their registration with the FDA as part of the measures included in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), adopted earlier this year to improve the safety of food consumed in this country.
From March new requirements imposed by the Food and Drug Administration will be implemented progressively on food imported by the United States.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will begin to implement requirements for a new Food Safety Law relating to products exported to the country from March.
Among other changes, from now on there will be stricter rules on labeling, improved hygiene conditions, prohibition of certain elements in food preparation and nutritional information.
A bill will impose more stringent requirements for labeling, product production and processing, and even the prohibition of certain ingredients.
Starting from March, the U.S. will toughen requirements for exports to its market through the Safety Act or Food Safety Modernization Act, which aims to prevent illness from the consumption of imported foods, reported Prensa.com.
Costa Rican farmers must implement food safety measures if they want to continue exporting to the U.S.
From 2013 farmers who export bananas, pineapples and other fruits must employ quality control systems and proper food handling if they want to continue selling their products in the U.S.
The new regulations to be implemented by the U.S. establish certain requirements which must be met, for example, by banana producers from Costa Rica, who in 2010 alone exported $343 million worth to that country.
The U.S. Food Administration (FDA), has prevented the entry of Mexican papaya into U.S. territory.
The alert was issued after finding salmonella contamination in several shipments.
In a statement, the FDA said it will work jointly with the Mexican National Health, Safety and Food Quality Service in order to eliminate the contamination from its producing regions.
español
4578
