Category: Department of Agriculture
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SCOTUS Hears Oral Arguments About USDA Raisin Program
The U.S. Supreme Court has heard arguments in a case brought by raisin farmers against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) alleging that a federal program requiring a portion of the yield to be set aside amounted to a taking of their property, thus requiring just compensation. Horne v. USDA, No. 14-275 (U.S., oral arguments heard…
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USDA Schedules Mid-June Meeting to Discuss Codex Positions
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has announced a June 17, 2015, public meeting in Washington, D.C. to provide information and receive comments about draft U.S. positions to be discussed during the 38th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, July 6-11. Agenda items at the June 17 meeting…
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Groups Challenge Change to Organic Law’s Sunset Provision
Several policy groups, including Food & Water Watch and the Center for Food Safety, have filed a lawsuit challenging a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) procedural change in how ingredients are removed from the National List, a list of synthetics exempted from the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA). Ctr. for Food Safety v. Vilsack, No.…
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USDA Schedules Meeting of GIPSA Advisory Committee
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has scheduled an April 7-8, 2015, public meeting of the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) Advisory Committee at the National Grain Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Topics of discussion will reportedly include service delivery updates, utilizing new technology to conduct inspections, quality assurance updates, and the reauthorization…
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WHO Sets Daily Recommended Guidelines for Added Sugars
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that adults and children reduce their daily intake of added sugars to less than 10 percent of their total daily energy intake. In addition, WHO calls for consumers to limit their consumption of added sugars to less than 25 grams (6 teaspoons) for further health benefits. The new…
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NOSB to Tackle Robust Agenda at April 2015 Meeting
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service is hosting an April 27-30, 2015, public meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) in La Jolla, California. The event will serve as NOSB’s final review of substances with sunset dates in 2016, and sessions will include those covering reports from the Materials, Livestock, Crops and…
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USDA Seeks Public Comment on Biological Agents and Toxins Posing Serious Danger to Animal and Plant Health
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is soliciting public comment on its current list of select agents and toxins with the potential to pose a severe threat to animal or plant health or to animal or plant products. The agency’s biennial review and republication of the list is required…
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Dietary Guidelines Committee Submits Report to HHS and USDA
The 14-member committee charged with developing the federal government’s “2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans” has issued its report containing recommendations for promoting consumption of foods and beverages that assist in maintaining a healthy weight and preventing disease. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Agriculture (USDA) are soliciting written comments…