News

On Nov. 3, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted additional materials from the modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) renewal applications for VLN King and VLN Menthol King submitted by 22nd Century Group Inc. On May 12, 2026, the FDA filed the MRTP renewal applications for scientific review. Read more here.

On Oct. 30, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the marketing of 24 new nicotine pouch products through the premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) pathway. The authorized products are made by Modoral Brands Inc. under the Velo brand and are all listed as containing 4 mg of nicotine. Read more here.

Seventeen state and regional association executives representing 32 states gathered in Washington, D.C., Oct. 29–30, 2026, for CDA’s State Association Executive Summit (SAES), where election insights, practical AI tools and industry discussions sparked ideas and strengthened connections. Held at the University Club, the summit offered opportunities to share strategies, learn from peers and advance shared priorities for the convenience distribution industry.

Click here for a full recap of SAES.

With Section 204(d) of the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) going into effect on July 20, 2028, distributors should begin taking steps to prepare for complying with the food traceability requirements of this law. While the FDA delayed the implementation of FSMA Section 204(d) to July 20, 2028, the agency has indicated that no additional delays in the implementation date will be made. This means that distributors have approximately 22 months to plan and undertake steps to ensure their company and employees are ready to implement the food tracing requirements.

Click here for a summary of two announcements by the FDA: an FDA FSMA listening session scheduled; and FDA proposed guidance on small retail food establishments.

Archer Meat Snacks is a fully vertically integrated manufacturer of Jerky and Meat Sticks. Its products start with real quality ingredients such as 100% grass-fed beef and antibiotic-free poultry, seasoned with real herbs and spices. Archer is one of the fastest-growing meat snack companies and is now the No.4 meat snack company in the U.S. Today, Archer offers 30+ SKUs and is available in more than 30,000+ locations nationwide, from convenience stores to airports. Modern brands like Archer are driving category growth as consumers seek cleaner-ingredient protein options that deliver GREAT TASTE!

Contact information for Archer Meat Snacks is as follows:

Chuck Harper
c.harper@archerjerky.com
Archer Meat Snacks
(916) 947-3584
www.archerjerky.com

Firebird Manufacturing, LLC is the parent company of Cherokee Tobacco Company. The national headquarters, distribution center and manufacturing factory for all brands is in Pelham, NC. The company's mission is to become the most trusted value brand cigarette in America and provide consumers the consistency they deserve at a price they can afford. All Firebird-manufactured products comply with local, state and federal laws.

Contact information for Firebird Manufacturing, LLC is as follows:

Jon Thomson
jthomson@cherokeebrands.com
Firebird Manufacturing, LLC
928 NC HWY 700
Pelham, NC 27311
(336) 279-3368
www.cherokeetobacco.com

February 3, 2027 at 1:00 pm ET

Register now to join Tom Baldwin and Mike Farrah of Management Science Associates (MSA), for an overview of warehouse delivered product performance across key convenience categories, including cigarettes, OTP, candy and snacks, and more.

Can’t attend the webinar on Feb. 4? Still register to attend and you’ll receive a recording of the webinar on Feb. 5. Contact Lauren Herbert to register or with any questions.

The NCSA celebrated the 55th anniversary of the Candy Hall of Fame by inducting 11 confectionery industry leaders during a ceremony held Oct. 24, 2026, at the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. This year's honorees were:

CDA is especially proud to recognize Kaye Powell of S. Abraham & Sons, Inc. for this well-deserved honor. We congratulate Kaye on this outstanding achievement and are grateful for her continued leadership and involvement in CDA!

The complete 2026 class includes:

• Kaye Powell, S. Abraham & Sons, Inc.
• Allison Miazga-Bedrick, Mars Snacking
• Dale Buys, The Walt Disney Company
• Michael Flynn, Stribbons, Inc.
• Juan Gallicchio, Thayer Distribution (posthumous)
• Tim Galloway, Galloway Company
• Debra Harris, Shankman & Associates, Inc.
• Taz Murray, Murray Asset Management
• Katherine Phegley, Brown & Haley
• Michael Sitarz, Elmer Chocolate
• Alan Yarmaloff, CVS Health

The NCSA also presented its 2026 Distinguished Service Award to Michael Rosenberg, PIM Brands, Inc., in recognition of his decades of leadership, service and lasting impact on the association.

CDA applauds all of this year’s honorees for their lasting contributions to the confectionery industry.

On Oct. 23, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Administration issued a rule proposing changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations to modernize Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) technology and align EBT with consumer payment processing industry standards, improving both program integrity and convenience for SNAP clients. These proposed changes will protect SNAP benefits from thieves and ensure benefits are accessible by approved households. Written comments are due by Dec. 22, 2026.

Dr. Jennifer Shuford, the deputy director and chief medical officer of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is leaving the agency after being appointed in April. Shuford said in a statement that she is leaving to spend more time with her family, The Washington Post reported. Shuford will stay until Nov. 12, 2026. Read more here.

StoreMingle is a virtual trade show platform for convenience distributors. A distributor runs its own branded show online and invites its vendors and retail customers. Vendors open booths, go live, and offer show deals. Store owners shop from their phone and place one order split across all their locations. The distributor approves every vendor, product and price, and receives the orders in an Excel workbook ready for its systems. Your show, open to every store on your list.

Contact information for StoreMingle is as follows:

Elioth Fraijo
elioth@storemingle.com
StoreMingle
800 Progress Center Ct, Suite 500
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
(858) 922-1759
www.storemingle.com

Mobisoft helps brands and wholesalers sell smarter and faster, while becoming more efficient, effective and profitable by maximizing the value of every customer visit. Its mobile-first B2B commerce platform, Mobisale, is used daily by sales and distribution teams worldwide, including global brands such as Unilever, Nestlé, General Mills, BAT and Michelin. Mobisoft provides innovative solutions that help consumer goods brands and wholesalers sell and merchandise smarter, distribute more efficiently, grow revenue, save costs and improve profitability while making customers happier.

Contact information for Mobisoft is as follows:

Matan Holander
matan@mobisoft.co
Mobisoft
21 SE 1st Avenue
Miami, FL 33131
(646) 781-7495
www.mobisoft.co

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) has announced that Jessica Zeller has been selected as the next director of CTP’s Office of Compliance and Enforcement. Zeller is coming to CTP from Edwards Lifesciences, where she has served as vice president corporate counsel and general counsel for quality. Read more here.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requesting nominations by Dec. 14, 2026, for voting members to serve on the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC). Individuals may self-nominate or be nominated by any interested person or organization. Read more here.

On Sept. 25, 2026, CDA attended a Listening Session featuring the Partnership for Food Traceability (PFT) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) where further discussions were held on the challenges of implementing FSMA Section 204(d), the food traceability rule. Read a summary here.

Join industry peers and top trading partners February 22–24 in Arlington, Texas, for three days of education, networking and business-building. Marketplace features focused sessions on sales, leadership and technology, a one-day turnkey trade show, enhanced networking and signature events like the All-Star Dinner and Marketplace Gives Back.

Be part of the action! Register today and make plans to join us at Marketplace 2027.

Exhibitors: Space is nearly sold out. Secure your booth now.

Questions? eventsupport@cdaweb.net | Marketplace Website
By attending Marketplace 2027, you agree to the CDA Notices & Disclaimers.

Republic Brands has filed five new lawsuits in New York and New Jersey against companies alleged to have sold counterfeit e-z wider products. Republic also cooperated with New Jersey State Police in their investigation of a New Jersey distributor, resulting in the seizure of thousands of counterfeit booklets and a criminal counterfeiting charge against one of its operators. Read more here.

On Oct. 8, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it is taking steps to identify and offer stakeholders additional flexibilities, as appropriate, for complying with the Food Traceability Rule, and an upcoming public meeting. The draft guidance will, if finalized, provide enforcement discretion from the requirements of the Rule for certain smaller retail food establishments (RFEs) and restaurants. The virtual public meeting will be held on Nov. 6, 2026, to give the public an opportunity to share information on implementation of the Food Traceability Rule and areas of remaining concern, specifically as they relate to lot-level tracking and potential flexibilities for compliance. The public meeting is free and open to the public, but registration is necessary to attend.