Category: Issue 730
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USDA Issues Interim Rule on Hemp Production
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued an interim final rule “specifying the rules and regulations to produce hemp.” The rule outlines provisions for USDA “to approve plans submitted by States and Indian Tribes for the domestic production of hemp” and “establishes a Federal plan for producers in States or territories of Indian Tribes…
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Bipartisan “Real MEAT Act” Would Define “Beef” Federally
Reps. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Anthony Brindisi (D-N.Y.) have introduced the Real Marketing Edible Artificials Truthfully (MEAT) Act, which would “codify the definition of beef for labeling purposes, reinforce existing misbranding provisions to eliminate consumer confusion, and enhance enforcement measures available to the [U.S. Department of Agriculture] if the [Food and Drug Administration] fails to…
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New York Bans Sale of Foie Gras
The New York City Council has reportedly voted to ban the sale of foie gras produced from force-fed animals within the city, citing cruelty concerns. The law, which will take effect in 2022, will impose a $2,000 fine per violation and applies only to force-fed foie gras. “[D]etermining whether foie gras was illegally produced may…
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FDA, FTC Warn CBD Company for Unsubstantiated Claims
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have announced a joint warning letter sent to Rooted Apothecary LLC focused on the potential benefits that the company claimed its cannabidiol (CBD) products could provide. “The Agency continues to be concerned about the proliferation of products asserting to contain CBD that are…
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CFS Urges FDA to Have Impossible Burgers Pulled from Grocery Stores
The Center for Food Safety (CFS) has submitted a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Office of Food Additive Safety arguing that the sale of “uncooked Impossible Burgers to consumers in grocery stores” is unlawful because FDA “received timely objections to the agency’s approval of Impossible Foods’ color additive petition.” CFS argues…
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Rudd Center Releases Report on Marketing Beverages to Children
The University of Connecticut’s Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity has released a report on the state of nutrition and marketing for beverages targeted to children. The researchers identified “common practices that may confuse parents about the ingredients and healthfulness of sweetened children’s drinks,” including the “widespread use of low-calorie sweeteners,” the “sugar content…
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Updates to National List Published
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published a set of changes to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, which documents the synthetic materials allowed or banned in the production and handling of organic agriculture. The amendments include the addition of “elemental sulfur for use as a molluscicide,” the addition of “polyoxin D…
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Sen. Schumer Calls for FDA Action on Heavy Metals in Baby Food
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has reportedly called for action from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in response to a study purportedly showing that 95% of baby foods contained at least some lead, arsenic, mercury or cadmium content. Schumer reportedly said that consumers “rightfully expect those foods to be undeniably safe, appropriately regulated and…