Category: Issue 374
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IOM Revises Vitamin D, Calcium DRIs
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has issued a report revising the dietary reference intakes (DRIs) for vitamin D and calcium, while warning that “too much of these nutrients may be harmful.” At the request of the U.S. and Canadian governments, the IOM Food and Nutrition Board assessed more than 1,000 vitamin D and calcium studies…
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Canadian Firm Seeks Approval for Biotech Apple That Resists Browning
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reportedly been asked by a Canadian biotechnology company to approve its genetically modified (GM) apple, which resists browning after it is sliced. The British Columbia-based company apparently licensed the non-browning technology from an Australian company that developed it for potatoes. Approval of the GM technology could take several years,…
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FDA Hearings to Target Alleged Effect of Food Dyes on Children’s Behavior
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced an advisory committee meeting to “discuss whether available relevant data demonstrate a link between children’s consumption of synthetic color additives in food and adverse effects on behavior.” FDA plans to provide background material no later than two business days before the March 30-31, 2011, public meeting in…
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FTC Proposes Privacy Browser Setting for Consumers’ Online Use
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a preliminary staff report that proposes a framework for businesses and policymakers to protect the privacy of consumers using the Internet. FTC staff seeks stakeholder comments on the proposed framework until January 31, 2011, and a final report will follow. The report coincides with a recent congressional hearing…
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GAO Report Highlights Value of Agricultural Chemical Usage Data
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report titled “USDA Could Enhance Pesticide and Fertilizer Usage Data, Improve Outreach, and Better Leverage Resources.” GAO was asked to investigate the effect of budgetary cutbacks on a program that gathers, analyzes and disseminates information about the use of agricultural chemicals. According to the report, the cutbacks…
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White House Seeks Comments on Nanotech-Related Research
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has published a notice requesting public comment on the National Nanotechnology Initiative’s draft “Strategy for Nanotechnology-Related Environmental, Health, and Safety Research.” Comments are requested by January 6, 2011. The draft describes the research that 25 federal agencies believe is needed to adequately assess the environmental, human…
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Obama Expected to Sign Child Nutrition Bill into Law
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (S. 3307), which first lady Michelle Obama called “a groundbreaking piece of bipartisan legislation that will significantly improve the quality of meals that children receive at school and will play an integral role in our efforts to combat childhood obesity.” President…