Category: Legislation, Regulations and Standards
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Advocacy Groups Urge FDA to Ban Food Additive Use of BPA
Several advocacy groups, including the Environmental Defense Fund, Consumer Reports and Environmental Working Group, have filed a petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “requesting that the agency remove its approvals of the use of bisphenol A [BPA] . . . because recently published scientific studies show that the exposure from those food additive…
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FDA Revokes French Dressing Standard of Identity
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revoked the standard of identity for French dressing following a citizen petition filed by the Association for Dressings and Sauces. The revocation finalizes a December 2020 rule that “will allow for greater innovation and more flexibility of products on the market,” according to an FDA Constituent Update.…
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FDA Issues Guidance on Sodium Reduction for Food Producers
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released guidance on limiting sodium in processed and packaged foods. “Limiting certain nutrients, such as sodium, in our diets plays a crucial role in preventing diseases like hypertension and cardiovascular disease that disproportionately impact racial and ethnic minority groups; these diseases often result in hundreds of thousands…
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FDA Releases Guidance on Food Contact Substance Notifications
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released two guidance documents on food contact substance notifications, pertaining to toxicology recommendations and administrative processes. The food contact substance notification process is “the primary means by which FDA regulates food additives that are food contact substances (FCSs).” The guidance documents define a food contact substance as…
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UK Launches Project to Minimize Food “Greenwashing”
The U.K. Environment Agency has announced a project “to establish standardised metrics to measure environmental performance of the food and drink sector.” The agency “is aiming to make it simpler for businesses and for the public to understand the environmental performance of companies in key areas such as greenhouse gas reduction and resource efficiency,” according…
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EFSA Launches Glyphosate Consultation
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) have begun consultations seeking scientific evaluations of glyphosate. “The classification of chemicals is based solely on the hazardous properties of a substance and does not take into account the use or likelihood of exposure to the substance,” the announcement notes. “Exposure is considered…
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USDA Announces Codex Meeting on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a public meeting to receive comments on the U.S. positions for the Codex Alimentarius Committee meeting on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses. The public meeting, which will be held October 19, 2021, will include discussions on a draft guide for ready-to-use therapeutic foods and the…
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USDA Requests Comments on Cultured Meat and Poultry
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has requested comments on “the labeling of meat and poultry products comprised of or containing cultured cells derived from animals subject to the Federal Meat Inspection Act or the Poultry Products Inspection Act.” Comments will be accepted until November 2, 2021. The announcement details the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association’s 2018 petition…