Tobacco Asia

42 tobaccoasia MANUFACTURING NEWS 制造新闻 New Requirements for Tobacco Product Manufacturing Practices The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing new requirements for tobacco product manufacturers regard- ing the manufacture, design, packing, and storage of their products. These proposed requirements would help protect public health by minimizing or preventing contamination and limiting additional risks by ensuring product consistency. "While no tobacco product is safe, this proposed rule is intended to minimize or prevent additional risks associated with these products," said Brian King, director of FDA's Center for Tobacco Products (CTP). These proposed new requirements would help ensure that products comply with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. For example, these requirements would help minimize or prevent the manufacture and distribution of tobacco products contaminated with foreign substances—such as metal, glass, and plastics—which have been found in tobacco products. The proposed rule would also help address issues related to inconsistencies between e-liquid product labeling and the actual concentrations in e-liquids; such variability can be misleading to consumers, potentially intensi- fying addiction and exposure to toxins. The proposed rule would also establish several require- ments related to the identification, tracing, and corrective actions for tobacco products that don't meet specifications or are contaminated, including for tobacco products that have already been distributed. In the event of an issue, these requirements would require manufacturers to take corrective actions, which may include conducting a recall. These proposed requirements apply to manufacturers of finished and bulk tobacco products. As laid out in the pro- posed rule, a finished tobacco product is a tobacco product, including any component or part, sealed in final packaging; for example, a pack of cigarettes or a can of moist snuff. A bulk tobacco product is a tobacco product that isn't sealed in final packaging, but is otherwise suitable for consumer use. The proposed rule establishes a framework for manufac- turers to adhere to, including: • establishing tobacco product design and development controls; • ensuring that finished and bulk tobacco products are manufactured according to established specifications; • minimizing the manufacture and distribution of tobacco products that don't meet specifications; • requiring manufacturers to take appropriate measures to prevent contamination of tobacco products; • requiring investigation and identification of products that don't meet specifications to institute appropriate correc- tive actions, such as a recall; and • establishing the ability to trace all components or parts, ingredients, additives and materials, as well as each batch of finished or bulk tobacco product, to aid in investigations of those that don't meet specifications. Rothschild to Advise UAE's Al Fakher Dubai-based shisha manufacturer Al Fakher has recruited Rothschild and Co. to provide advice on strategic possibilities, including a potential initial public offering, reports Reuters, citing two persons acquainted with the situation. The sources claimed that a regional IPO would take place, either on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange or Saudi Arabia's Tadawul. Advanced Inhalation Rituals, a private firm that is predominately owned by London-based Kingsway Capital, is the owner of Al Fakher. Al Fakher, established in 1999, produces flavored shisha molasses that are sold in more than 100 countries. Last year Middle Eastern companies raised about US$ 22 billion through IPOs, more than half the total for the entire Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, according to Dealogic. Anger Over Subsidies for PMI's Dutch Factory According to broadcaster RTL, Dutch MPs reacted furiously to the news that Philip Morris received €268,000 subsidy from the government in 2021. The funds were used to improve the sustainability of the company's facility in Bergen op Zoom, which produces components for both conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes. The money came from a fund established by the economic affairs ministry to assist businesses in reducing their carbon dioxide emissions, and Philip Morris complied with the requirements, a ministry spokesman told RTLZ. GroenLinks MP Suzanne Kröger said, "This is an example of why we want tough rules for these sorts of factories. It is absurd that we are making money available to make factories we want to see closed down more sustainable.' PMI actually returned the money later that year after deciding not to carry out the work, a spokesman told RTL. FDA is proposing a new set of rules for tobacco manufacturers to minimize or prevent contamination and ensure product consistency. Credit: Marco Verch, Creative Commons 2.0.

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