Category: Issue 345
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EFSA Establishes Acceptable Daily Intake for Steviol Glycosides
The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA’s) Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources has assessed “the safety of steviol glycosides, sweeteners extracted from plant leaves, and established an Acceptable Daily Intake [ADI] for their safe use.” According to EFSA, toxicological testing showed that the substances, such as stevioside and rebaudioside, “are not genotoxic, nor carcinogenic,…
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National Organic Standards Board Solicits Nominations to Fill Five Vacancies
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) has requested nominations for five upcoming vacancies. The 15-member board is charged with developing and recommending a proposed National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. NOSB is seeking two organic producers, two “consumer/public interest” individuals and a USDA-accredited certifying agent to serve five-year terms.…
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FSIS Updates List of Suitable Ingredients for Meat, Poultry and Egg Products
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a directive that revises its list of suitable ingredients that can used in the production of meat, poultry and egg products. FSIS will update the directive quarterly by issuing revisions as opposed to amendments. FSIS has added hypobromous acid and oat…
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USDA IG Concerned about Monitoring of Drugs, Pesticides and Heavy Metal Residues in Meat
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Office of Inspector General (IG) has released a report, which finds that the federal government’s “national residue program is not accomplishing its mission of monitoring the food supply for harmful residues” of veterinary drugs, pesticides and heavy metals. According to the report, federal agencies have failed to establish thresholds…
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National Food Plan to Target “Food Deserts”
U.S. Representative Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) is reportedly poised to introduce legislation authored by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D N.Y.) that would provide $1 billion in loans and grants to help build nearly 2,100 grocery stores in areas around the nation that lack access to “fresh, nutritious” food. The Healthy Food Financing Initiative would reportedly create…