The American Peanut Council staff continues to follow developments around the COVID-19 pandemic. Below are some resources to help companies manage this situation as we all move forward. There may be questions on our abilities to continue to supply our customers. All segments of the industry report that they are making accommodations and putting protocols in place to continue to make the peanut products the country and the world need. Our government is taking various steps to keep the food industry functioning and distribution channels open. We have prepared a statement that you may want to use with your customers as questions arise. We also have a statement on our homepage that is more consumer facing.
The U.S. Department of Labor has published a mandatory poster for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that must be conspicuously displayed in the workplace along with your other legal notices. The provisions of this Act go into effect on April 1st according to the Department.
A copy of the poster may be found by going to: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/posters/FFCRA_Poster_WH1422_Non-Federal.pdf
NEW (4/2/20) Announcement from the U.S. Department of Labor that the Office of Foreign Labor Certification has released Round 2 of FAQs regarding COVID-19 and H-2A program. To view the Round 2 FAQs regarding COVID-19, please click here.
There is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19. FDA does not anticipate any need for a food recall related to a situation where a factory worker is diagnosed with COVID-19. COVID-19 is a respiratory virus, not a foodborne virus.
FDA Resource:
Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Food Industry Recommended Protocols When Employee/Customer Tests Positive for COVID-19
FDA Provides Temporary Flexibility Regarding Nutrition Labeling of Certain Packaged Food
Hogan Lovells LLC Memos on Critical Infrastructure:
COVID-19 Update: Supplemental Update on Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers
If you are experiencing supply chain barriers (such as transportation problems moving food through areas which may have restrictions) please contact FEMA National Business Emergency Operations Center, NBEOC@fema.dhs.gov. It is operating 24/7.
FSMA related issues::
- Temporary change in FSMA foreign supplier verification program (FSVP) audit regulations. Foreign Supplier Verification onsite audits, sampling, testing will be suspended. Visit: Guidance for Industry: Temporary Policy Regarding Preventive Controls and FSVP Food Supplier Verification Onsite Audit Requirements During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- Regulatory discretion on the foreign buyer verification program. Only inspections outside the U.S. considered mission critical will be made and these will be done on a case by case basis.
- Domestic inspections will be focused on “mission critical inspections” and routine surveillance inspections planned for this year are postponed. Public health mission of agency comes first. Mission critical inspections are those related to Class 1 recalls or otherwise critical to protecting public health. Domestic inspections are normally not announced in advance, but for now companies will be notified in advance of any inspections.
For more answers to common industry questions, go to Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Questions & Answers.
How the Treasury Department is Taking Action
The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America
The APC staff remains at your disposal so please do not hesitate to contact us with comments, questions, updates on your operations, etc. Although we are telecommuting, messages can be left for staff members at 703-838-9500 or via email.
