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April 16, 2012
THE Port of Long Beach posted a 12 per cent year-on-year increase in March container volume to 461,600 TEU, port officials announced, giving rise to hopes of continued recovery, reports the Long Beach Press-Telegram. After February's decline - attributed to the timing of this year's Chinese New Year - cargo bounced back in March, port officials said. Imports boxes increased 18.3 per cent while exports were up 10 per cent year on year. Import containers accounted for 226,150 TEU in March, compared to 191,200 TEU in the same period last year. Export containers hit 144,850 TEU compared to 131,750 TEU in March 2011. Year to date, volumes were down 2.9 per cent, compared to the first three months of 2011. Empties were stable, up 1.5 per cent to 90,600 TEU compared to 89,250 TEU a year ago. CBP Releases New Issue of Trade Newsletter On April 2, 2012 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published the FY 2012 second quarter issue of the Trade Newsletter which is intended to provide general information to the trade community, including the current CBP position or interpretation of trade-related regulations. This issue of the Trade Newsletter focuses on a number of issues, including the Re-Engineering Dumping (RED) Team which has been charged with "studying the regulatory and logistical import process for entries subject to AD/CVD [antidumping/countervailing duties] and then identifying the threats, challenges, and vulnerabilities in each step of the process." Also discussed is the textile industry's competitiveness and CBP's efforts to facilitate legitimate trade while enforcing regulations and maintaining a high level of security. Other topics addressed in this issue include: This issue of the CBP Trade Newsletter is available for download at:
FDA Announces Food Tracking Pilot Program As provided for under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), on March 15, 2012 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced plans to begin a new pilot program aimed at tracking specific food types along the supply chain in an effort to prevent large scale contamination outbreaks. As stated in the FDA announcement, "FDA is working closely with the food industry, other government partners, and consumer groups, to develop a national food tracing system. Since there is no standard system in place, we began a couple of pilot programs working with the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit, scientific society of professionals engaged in food science, food technology, and related professions, that has collected information and input from a variety of experts, including industry and consumer advocates." The foods selected in the FDA pilot program are: - Frozen Kung Pao-style dishes that contain peanut products, red pepper spice, and chicken: Chosen because they contain multiple ingredients involved in significant outbreaks. Also offer a variety of supply chain distribution channels and can involve both domestic and imported products. - Jarred peanut butter and dry, packaged peanut/spice: Selected to enhance the complexity of the pilot. The pilot program is expected to be completed this summer. The full text of the FDA announcement is available online at: Additional details are available in the FSMA Question and Answer section at:
________________________________________ Tons News is compiled from a number of public sources that, to the best of Tons knowledge, are true and correct. It is our intent to present only accurate information. However, in the event any information contained herein is erroneous, Tons accepts no liability or responsibility. |