The Commerce Department is beginning antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on 53-foot domestic dry containers from China, according to a fact sheet released May 14 by the agency. Stoughton Trailers requested the investigations on April 23, alleging underselling by Chinese companies has forced Stoughton to close its plant in Evansville, Indiana despite strong container demand from shipping companies (see 14042520). It says the duties should cover 53’ and 53’ high cube containers frequently used in intermodal shipping by rail and truck in North America, but not 20’ and 40’ containers used in international ocean shipping or trailers with built-in wheels.
Consumer Product Safety Commission announced on May 14 the following voluntary recalls of imported products:
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is proposing a new safety standard for frame child carriers. The mandatory standard would be based on the voluntary standard developed by ASTM International, F2549-14 (“Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Frame Child Carriers”), the only difference being the CPSC would add specific requirements that frame child carriers pass tests related to the carrier’s restraints. Comments on the proposed rule are due July 30.
On May 14 the Food and Drug Administration posted new and revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:
The Food and Drug Administration issued its weekly Enforcement Report for May 14 that lists the status of recalls and field corrections for food, drugs, biologics, and devices. The report covers both domestic and foreign firms.
The Food and Drug Administration is formally reclassifying intravascular administration set air removal systems as Class II devices that do not require premarket approval, in an order that codifies a reclassification that took effect March 4. The devices had been classified in Class III, and required the filing of a premarket approval application before distribution. But FDA reclassified them in response to a request from Anesthesia Safety Products, LLC related to the AirPurge System. Although they will no longer need FDA approval, the devices will still be subject to certain extra "special controls" related to design characteristics, testing, biocompatibility, and labeling. Air removal systems will not be exempt from premarket notification requirements.
The Food and Drug Administration announced the reclassification of colon capsule imaging systems as Class II medical devices subject to special controls. Colon capsule imaging systems were previously classified in Class III and required premarket approval. The reclassification took effect Jan. 29; FDA’s final order merely codifies it into regulation. Although they will no longer need FDA approval, the devices will still be subject to premarket notification requirements, as well as certain extra "special controls" related to testing, biocompatibility, and labeling.
US Trading Company is recalling batch of chili powder imported from Thailand because of the presence of Salmonella, said the Food and Drug Administration March 13. The chili powder comes in a 6.3 ounce clear plastic tub. The bar code 7 21557 53317 8 is printed on the front of the tub. The code 359XP is affixed to the bottom of the container. FDA said it found the problem in a lot of chili powder during routine sampling. Production and distribution of the product have been suspended while FDA, the California Department of Public Health, and US Trading continue the investigation, it said.
On May 14 the Foreign Agricultural Service posted the following GAIN reports:
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced changes May 14 to Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) electronic manuals. While some changes are minor, other changes may affect the admissibility of the plant products, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers.