Category: Department of Agriculture
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CSPI Submits Petition on Nitrate, Nitrite Labeling
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and Consumer Reports have petitioned the Food Safety and Inspection Service, requesting the agency “clarify the labeling of processed meats.” “Specifically, we ask that the agency cease requiring that such products be labeled ‘Uncured,’ and/or ‘No Nitrate or Nitrite Added’ when they have been processed using…
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GAO Issues Report on “Use By” Labeling
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has conducted a study on how “use by” and “best by” dates on food products could be improved to reduce food waste. The agency examined actions by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and concluded with the recommendation that “USDA and FDA develop…
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Organic Producers Could Potentially Use GMOs, USDA Suggests
In testimony before the House Agriculture Subcommittee, Under Secretary of Agriculture Greg Ibach suggested that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) could potentially be used in the production of organic foods eventually. “As the National Organic Standards Board set the rules originally, right now GMO or transgenics are not eligible to be in the Organic Program, but…
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USDA Issues Guidance on Meal Kits
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released guidance on meal kits requiring inspection by the agency’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The guidance indicates that meal kits do not require assembly subject to FSIS inspection if (i) the “meat or poultry component is prepared and separately packaged under FSIS inspection and labeled with…
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Dietary Guidelines Meetings Announced
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services have announced meetings to hear public comments on the 2020 dietary guidelines revisions. The 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee will allow three-minute pre-registered comments from the public at its meetings on July 11, 2019, and January 25, 2020, and registration for the July meeting closes…
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APHIS Proposes GMO Rules Revisions
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced proposed revisions to its regulations regarding “the movement (importation, interstate movement, and environmental release) of certain genetically modified organisms” (GMOs). The proposal, “the first comprehensive revision of the regulations since they were established in 1987,” would adjust how the agency handles…
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General Codex Meeting Scheduled
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a June 21, 2019, public meeting to discuss several general Codex Alimentarius Commission issues, including the adoption and revocation of Codex Texts, amendments to Codex Standards, the Codex Strategic Plan 2020-2025 and matters arising from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health…
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“Shame on you, Washington Post”: FSIS Criticizes Reporting on Pork Inspections
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a press release responding to The Washington Post‘s reporting on an impending change to pork plant inspections. “FSIS is appalled at The Washington Post’s poor attempt at explaining a proposal to modernize inspection,” the press release states. “The Post’s decision to…