New regs for Monday: Preventing attacks to food

The federal government is set to publish new rules to protect against terror attacks to the food system among a host of other issues.

Here’s a look at what’s coming:

Food safety:

The Food and Drug Administration is proposing a regulation designed to protect the country’s food supply from terrorist attacks. 

The draft rule would require food facilities to take steps to prevent the “intentional adulteration” of their food.

“We expect the proposed rule, if finalized as proposed, would help to protect food from intentional adulteration caused by acts of terrorism,” the FDA said.

{mosads}The agency is also releasing an appendix to draft analysis of foods that are considered to have a low risk of being targeted by terrorists. 

The agency has also received petitions to allow two types of vitamins be used in animal food.  

Additionally, the Agriculture Department is allowing beef  to be imported from 14 states in Brazil. 

Agriculture:

The Department of Agriculture is increasing the fee charged to California walnut producers to fund a marketing program.

The department is also shaking up the membership rules for a lumber board, asking California almond growers to decide whether they want to continue a marketing order and asking the public whether Arkansas should be included in a peanut promotion program. 

Small businesses:

The Small Business Administration is increasing the size standards for some construction businesses and utilities. 

The agency also wants to change rules for investing in some businesses. 

Worker safety:

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission is updating its rules to allow documents to be filed and served electronically. 

Fishing:

The National Marine Fisheries Service is adjusting the retention limit for Atlantic bluefin tuna and setting an annual quota for sardine fishing.

Government operations:

The Office of Personnel Management wants to amend the way federal workers can change their dental, vision and life insurance policies. 

The Commerce Department is making changes to ensure its rules to conform to a recent decision to change the name of the Import Administration to Enforcement and Compliance.

NASA is also making “administrative changes” to its regulations.