Category: Department of Agriculture
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Upcoming Codex Meeting to Target Pesticide Residues
The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have scheduled a March 28, 2013, public meeting in Arlington, Virginia, to address draft U.S. positions for discussion at the 45th Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues of the Codex Alimentarius Commission during a May 6-13 meeting in Beijing. Agenda items include…
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USDA Proposes Amendments to COOL Rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a proposed rule that would revise Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements for muscle cuts of meat and amend the definition of “retailer” to include “any person subject to be licensed as a retailer under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.” Under the proposed rule, “origin destinations for…
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USDA to Revise Regulations on GE Organisms
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a proposed rule that would update regulations regarding genetically engineered (GE) organisms “by adding provisions for sharing certain business information with state and tribal government agencies.” According to USDA, the proposed provisions would govern the sharing of certain information contained in permit applications and notifications for importations, interstate…
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D.C. Circuit Dismisses Challenge to USDA Almond Rules
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has dismissed a challenge to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rules requiring California almonds sold domestically to be treated with heat or chemicals to prevent the spread of Salmonella. Koretoff v. Vilsack, No. 12-5075 (D.C. Cir., decided February 22, 2013). According to the court, the almond producers who mounted…
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FDA Extends Comment Deadline on Proposed Hazard Analysis, Produce Safety Rules
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the comment periods on two proposed rules related to foodborne illness prevention and produce safety that appeared in the Federal Register on January 16, 2013. In response to a request for a 90-day extension, the agency has increased until May 16, 2013, the comment periods for the…
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USDA Proposes Amendments to Organic Crop and Processing Rules
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has proposed amending the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances to change annotations pertaining to the use of peracetic acid in organic crop production and the use of potassium hydroxide, silicon dioxide and betacarotene extract color in organic handling. Following the recommendation of the National Organic…
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USDA Proposes New Rules for Snack Foods in Schools
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed new rules that would regulate the nutritional content of snacks, soft drinks and meals sold in school cafeterias, vending machines and snack bars. According to a USDA news release, the “Smart Snacks in School” proposal draws upon “recommendations from the Institute of Medicine, existing voluntary standards already…
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Upcoming Codex Meeting to Discuss Food Labeling
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have announced an April 17, 2013, public meeting in Washington, D.C., to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions for discussion during the 41st Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling…