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

US holds food additive meeting ahead of Codex

28-Feb-2007 - US food regulatory agencies are to hold a public meeting to discuss the nation's draft positions on food additives ahead of a Codex session due to take place in April.

Guest article

Caution recommended when adding caffeine to new foods

27-Feb-2007 - Obtaining a GRAS opinion for products containing added caffeine, as well as clearly labeling the substance, could help protect food and beverage manufacturers from future regulatory concerns, according to lawyers specializing in the food industry.

Inspectors to focus on meat plants with problems

21-Feb-2007 - Meat processors with poor food safety standards will face tougher and more frequent inspections under proposals made by a regulatory arm of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Danisco ordered to pay up in patent infringement case

19-Feb-2007 - Enzyme firm Danisco is set to pay out over $8m in damages over a patent infringement battle between its subsidiary Genencor and competitor Novozymes.

Lawmakers renew call for single food safety agency

19-Feb-2007 - An effort to consolidate food safety oversight in the US last week gathered momentum after the reintroduction of the Safe Food Act.

Coffee trade talks are on track, insists ICO

19-Feb-2007 - A senior official fought back at suggestions that talks to establish a new international agreement to promote coffee consumption and sustainable production have hit problems.

Health Canada review could see saccharin ban revoked

16-Feb-2007 - Reports from Canada indicate that country's ministry of health has reopened its evaluation of the ban on saccharin, the artificial sweetener linked to bladder cancer.

USDA pulled up over GM approval

15-Feb-2007 - A Federal Court has ruled that the USDA failed to abide by federal environmental laws when it approved a genetically engineered crop without conducting a full Environment Impact Statement (EIS).

Monsanto seeks approval for new GM soybean

14-Feb-2007 - A higher-yielding variety of genetically modified soybeans from Monsanto could be introduced commercially within the next few years, according to the leading biotechnology firm.

Trans fat cooperation targets wider dietary concerns

13-Feb-2007 - A new collaboration between Australian and New Zealand food safety authorities is to target high levels of unhealthy saturated fats within their national diets.

Bill to ensure strict separation of cloning and organics

13-Feb-2007 - US senators have introduced legislation designed to prevent milk and meat products from cloned livestock from receiving an organic label under the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP).

FDA issues guidance on labeling claims

12-Feb-2007 - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a guidance letter to remind food and beverage manufacturers of the different types of labeling claims available for use, and to clarify the agency's regulation of these.

Federal auditor calls for massive reform to food safety system

09-Feb-2007 - The current federal system for food safety regulation is fragmented, ineffective and inefficient and needs to be fixed, according to a report by the General Accounting Office (GAO).

Tensions rise over US dairy subsidies

08-Feb-2007 - America's dairy industry has ripped into the Bush administration's 'ineffective' spending plans for the sector, warning the proposals will not help domestic farmers or improve prospects of a world trade deal.

Canadian regulations hamper functional food innovation

07-Feb-2007 - A Canadian industry association has singled out functional foods as a potentional savior of the country's manufacturing sector. However, it insists Canada will miss out on this unless its heavy regulatory environment is loosened.

FDA due to expand oat heart health claim

06-Feb-2007 - Oat products with a higher fat content could be eligible to carry a heart health claim, according to a new proposal by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Labor board rules against Smithfield in union vote

03-Feb-2007 - Stung by a labor board ruling against it and a $1.1m settlement, Smithfield Foods has been forced to announce it will allow workers to hold a new vote on unionisation at its giant plant in Tar Heel, North Carolina.

Frozen agriculture talks set to thaw?

02-Feb-2007 - Constructive discussions at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos have given the stalled Doha round of agriculture negotiations a new impetus.

New Farm Bill to promote fruit, veg in schools

01-Feb-2007 - Improving nutrition in schools and fighting trade barriers are two priorities of the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) 2007 farm bill proposal, unveiled yesterday by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns.

Coke and Nestlé face lawsuit for energy drink claims

01-Feb-2007 - Drinks giants Coca-Cola and Nestlé were today slapped with a lawsuit for claiming that their new Enviga energy drink can help consumers burn off calories.

Meat flavor products regulated by FSIS, clarifies USDA

29-Jan-2007 - Manufacturers of flavor products formulated with significant levels of meat or poultry ingredients must have these approved by the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA/FSIS), the agency said last week.

California proposes labeling for cloned food products

24-Jan-2007 - Legislation has been introduced in California to require the clear labeling of all products derived from cloned animals if these are approved for human consumption.

FDA approves more meat additives

24-Jan-2007 - The federal food safety inspection unit has approved an additional batch of additives, antimicrobals and agents for use as processing aids directly on meat and poultry products.

FDA proposes to define 'gluten-free'

24-Jan-2007 - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a proposed rule to define the term 'gluten-free' for use on food labels.