Breaking News on Food & Beverage Development - North America EU edition

Weekly comment

In praise of pesticides

19-Jan-2009 - Who likes pesticides? Misunderstood by consumers and misrepresented by pressure groups, pesticides are a soft target for legislators. The latest blow to that soft target could have hard consequences for the European food industry and for developing countries.

Responsibility reports respond to expectations, says Kellogg’s

13-Jan-2009 - More than 1,500 companies use the Global Reporting Initiative’s guidelines to evaluate their performance on sustainability, environmental impact and responsible marketing – and now Kellogg’s has released its first.

US health experts urge Obama to take ‘urgent action’ on obesity

12-Jan-2009 - A group of prominent American health professionals has issued a letter urging President-elect Barack Obama to take “bold and urgent action” to curb obesity or, they say, the current generation could be the first to live shorter lives than their parents.

Baobab GRAS dossier in, an answer in less than 180 days?

07-Jan-2009 - FDA approval of baobab fruit pulp could be less than six months away, as momentum continues for what could be one of the hot ingredients of 2009.

New labeling rules for cochineal bug coloring

06-Jan-2009 - Food and drink manufacturers that color their products with cochineal extract and carmine must now declare the ingredients on the label under a new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruling.

Weekly comment

Obesity: A taxing solution

23-Dec-2008 - Benjamin Franklin once said that nothing is certain in life but death and taxes, conveniently forgetting the human race’s desire to avoid both inconveniences at any cost.

Stevia sweetener gets US FDA go-ahead

18-Dec-2008 - The FDA has given the long-awaited green light for Reb A, the sweetener made from the stevia leaf, to be used in food and beverages - opening the flood gates for new product launches.

Accountability report puts Cargill under the spotlight

15-Dec-2008 - Cargill’s accountability record has come under scrutiny in a new report which assesses the performance of some of the world’s most powerful corporate, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.

Opening trade with Cuba a priority for grain industry

12-Dec-2008 - Potential changes to US trade policy with Cuba once president-elect Barack Obama takes office would significantly boost grain markets, the USDA has said.

FDA revokes ban on antimicrobial

11-Dec-2008 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it has revoked the order prohibiting the extralabel use of cephalosporin antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals.

FDA aims to improve safety of food imports

10-Dec-2008 - Improving the safety of imported food is one of the aims behind a new initiative from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Potential impact of antidumping on citric acid

03-Dec-2008 - The prospect of antidumping measures for citric acid looms in the US after an investigation found Chinese companies selling products below market value. But one industry player says the duties would have a limited impact.

Whole grain health claims restricted, finds Kellogg-funded review

25-Nov-2008 - A study commissioned by the Kellogg Company has found that FDA’s definition of whole grains is restricting the use of health claims linking the grains to heart health and diabetes benefits.

Parry’s organic spirulina goes GRAS

24-Nov-2008 - Parry Nutraceuticals has said its organic spirulina product has been certified as GRAS, meaning it can be used to enhance the nutritional value of foods ranging from cereals and snacks to frozen dairy.

Gum arabic caloric value lowered

17-Nov-2008 - The caloric value of gum arabic has been reduced in the US allowing companies to lower the calorie count on their labels.

FDA cracks down on Chinese imports

14-Nov-2008 - The FDA has stepped up its import controls for dairy products from China following the melamine scare and extended its investigation into non-dairy protein products.

Tagging urged to maintain consumer confidence in US food supply

14-Nov-2008 - In order to maintain the confidence of US consumers in the food supply when genetically engineered (GE) animals enter the marketplace, a national animal identification system would be required, claims a meat processor.

FDA gears up for food safety rule revision

13-Nov-2008 - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it will bring current federal food processing safety rules up to date in an effort to provide additional protection against foodborne illness.

Round table: Food policy under Obama

07-Nov-2008 - Barack Obama has pledged to bring change to his country. Three food industry executives discuss what his election could mean for food regulation and trade, and policy interplay with healthcare and energy.

GRAS notice sucralose targets drink maker cost cuts

06-Nov-2008 - A US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision to provide Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) notice for a sucralose-based sweetener may ensure more cost efficient formulation for global drinks groups, says it manufacturer.

Calls for food safety regulation overhaul

05-Nov-2008 - Extra food safety regulations could be introduced in Canada as pressure increases to tackle the problems associated with tainted food after 20 people died in a listeriosis outbreak.

FDA publishes final rule on food imports

04-Nov-2008 - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put out a final rule and draft compliance policy guide (CPG) on prior notice of imported food shipments.

Exploring the sweet future for stevia

29-Oct-2008 - As regulatory approval for stevia and its extracts gathers pace in the US, Mark Blumenthal from the American Botanical Council gives his thoughts and inside knowledge on his nominee for ‘herb of the year’.

US leading crackdown calls on caffeinated energy drinks

28-Oct-2008 - Pressure is mounting in both Australia and the US to crack down on the sale and availability of caffeinated energy drinks to young people, according to news reports in both countries.